Filters
Sort
Sort
Sort By :
By :
Grid View
List View
Ulmus crassifolia
While this tree has a limited native distribution in Florida, it also occurs as far west as Texas in similar types of settings.
Shade tree. Can be us
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
,
Considertions, While not known to occur in Florida, this species is potentially susceptible to Dutch elm disease.
,
Wildlife, Seeds used by birds when little else is available. Used for nesting.
,
Habitat, Floodplain forest, hydric hammock, bottomland forest. On limestone.
,
Did You Know?, Interesting bark, Fall color, Interesting foliage
Larval food for the Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Massive, nutrient-dense edible fruit
- Somewhat drought tolerant
- Extremely popular
Prunus caroliniana
The range extends from Texas to North Carolina mostly in the coastal plan and adjacent areas of sandy hills. In Florida, the range is continuous down
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
,
Considertions, This plant can be too prolific as the many seedlings that come up both around the plant and under bird perching sites can become problematic. Also spr
,
Wildlife, Seed is spread by birds.
,
Habitat, Dry-moist sites. Upland hardwood forests, upland mixed forest, secondary woods, riverine swamps, disturbed areas.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage
Attracts bees.
- Symmetrical shape
- Raised diamond-shaped trunk pattern
- Wonderfully fragrant flowers
Erythrina herbacea
Forming a thicket for wildlife protection.
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without i
,
Considertions, It has thorns, but they are rather small.
The seeds of Cherokee bean are poisonous and purportedly used for rat poison in Mexico.
,
Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds.
Due to its dense foliage and thorny stems, coral bean serves as a refuge for small birds and animals.
,
Habitat, Dry sites. Upland mixed forest, thickets, tropical hammocks, coastal dunes, sandhill, flatwoods, tropical hammock, pine rocklands. This species can b
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Thorns
Attracts long-tongued pollinators.
- Cornerstone plant in South Florida
- Unique, sweet almond flavor
- Compact and versatile
- Healthy edible fruit
- Flowers year round
Damburneya coriacea
Foliage when crushed smells like citrus.
This small tree has an elegant appearance that makes it suited to use as a specimen plant. The glossy evergr
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray wo
,
Considertions, Potentially subject to laurel wilt disease.
,
Wildlife, Wildlife food plant.
,
Habitat, Tropical hammocks. This is naturally an understory tree and also as a colonizer of disturbed sites.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage
Insect pollinated. Said to be a good honey plant (Haehle and Brookwell 1999).
- Attractive flowers, typically deep orange
- Bright red fruits
- Wind tolerant
- Pineapple-like showy fruits (female plants)
- Unique, fern-like leaves
Quercus virginiana
This species is broadly planted. It is one of the few native trees that is widely available. Noted for its twisty form, tolerance of root damage, and
,
Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges.
Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure t
,
Considertions, Massive low hanging branches often droop to touch the ground--make sure you allow plenty of room for this tree. Can be somewhat messy especially if lo
,
Wildlife, Acorns provide a good food source for many types of birds and mammals.
Good nesting habitat for birds and squirrels. The acorns are low in tannins.
H
,
Habitat, Tropical rockland hammock, pine rockland in fire-suppressed areas and near tropical rockland hammock, upper edges of floodplains, margins of ponds and
,
Did You Know?, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance
Larval host plant for Horace's duskywing (Erynnis horatius), red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Briefly bare for about a month in the winter
- Excellent small hedge
- Unique, sweet almond flavor
Crossopetalum ilicifolium
Small shrub. Prostrate. Can be planted as a groundcover in beds or masses with other low-growing plants. Makes a good plant for use in a rock (limeroc
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
,
Wildlife, Fruits attract birds including quail.
,
Habitat, Pine rockland, rockland hammock, sinkhole. Sinkhole edges.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage
- Excellent small hedge
- Attractive symmetrical appearance
- Healthy edible fruit
- Handsome
- Towering
Eupatorium rotundifolium
Wildflower garden especially in sunny moist areas.
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
,
Considertions, Said to spread easily from seed to the extent that it can become hard to control.
,
Wildlife, Birds and other wildlife consume fruit.
,
Habitat, Moist flatwoods.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Attracts many pollinators, especially important for native bees.
- Unique fluffy fronds
- Attractive glossy leaves
- Tropical silhouette
- Excellent choice for narrow spaces
- Requires occassional fertalization
- Long emerald crownshaft
Heliopsis helianthoides var. gracilis
Informal wildflower gardens.
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
,
Wildlife, Seeds eaten by birds.
,
Habitat, Pine-oak-hickory woods, longleaf pinelands, bluffs.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Attracts butterflies and bees but the list of insects is diverse and includes hoverflies and soldier beetles. The ground nesting bee,
- Unique swollen blue-green to silver trunk
- Colorful new leafs
- Beautiful, natural globe shape
Panicum virgatum
In the opinion of this author, this species has a weedy look.
Occurs throughout Florida but is more frequent in flatwoods pond settings and small flo
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray wo
,
Considertions, An aggressive grower. Plant where that characteristic is appropriate.
,
Habitat, Riverine forests, flatwoods, beaches, fresh and brackish marshes, disturbed sites.
,
Did You Know?, Larval host for tawny edged skipper.
- Majestic and graceful
- Slender trunk, 4" in diameter
- Highly nutritious fruit
Calamintha dentata
This is a rare plant that should not be disturbed in the wild.
Could be used as a border along sandy paths or walkways or as a foundation plant.
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
,
Considertions, Difficult to establish and not long-lived.
,
Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds.
,
Habitat, Sandill. Roadsides through sandhill areas.
,
Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers
Attracts a variety of insects.
- Colorful fall foliage
- Native
- Massive stature when mature
- Requires shade when young
- Attractive dark green leaves
Adiantum capillus-veneris
Widespread but sparse distribution in Florida largely based on where limestone is exposed at the surface. If you have limestone it is appropriate to
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
,
Wildlife, Said to be resistant to deer.
,
Habitat, Moist hammocks and can grow attached to rock outcroppings if moisture is consistently present in the area.
,
Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
- Showy reddish peeling bark
- Attractive contrast between flowers and foliage
- Magnificent
- Highly nutritious fruit
Nymphaea odorata
While native in Florida, this species is invasive in other areas, especially the Pacific Northwest.
Aquatic species with floating leaves and flowers.
,
Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
,
Considertions, Could overrun small ponds or water features.
,
Habitat, Aquatic. Marshes, swamps in openings, still water.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Flies, bees, and beetles have been recorded.
- Width often exceeds height
- Prominent pale green crownshaft
- Excellent hedge choice
- Easy/Carefree
- Ideal for smaller spaces
