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Vallesia antillana
It is listed as endangered by the state of Florida and as critically imperiled in South Florida by The Institute for Regional Conservation.
Specimen
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
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Habitat, Tropical rockland hammock, coastal rock barren, beach dune, coastal strand. Lower Keys only.
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Did You Know?, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage
- Lush, dense shade tree
- Beloved in South Florida
- Deciduous
- Highly wind tolerant
- Highly salt tolerant
- Underutilized
Piloblephis rigida
This is nearly endemic to Florida (there are a few documented occurrences in southeastern Georgia).
Wildflower garden, groundcover.
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
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Considertions, Short-lived: it tends to die back after a few years.
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Habitat, Scrubby flatwoods, scrub, dry flatwoods, dry prairie, sandhill, ruderal.
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Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers
Attracts butterflies and bees (Florida Wildflower Foundation Blog). Documented bee visitors include Agapostemoiz spl
- Attracts butterflies
- Long emerald crownshaft
- Ringed trunk
- Unique foliage and silhouette
Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Groundcover. Foliage is low and neat even during periods when there are no flowers (flowers in mid-spring). Plant not visible in winter. Can be natura
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
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Habitat, Cutthroat seeps, moist roadsides, hammocks, bogs, river banks.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Beneficial sweat bees, bumble bees, bee flies, and syrphid flies are attracted to nectar and pollen.
- Attractive and unique swollen trunk
- Requires high humidity
- Adequate fertalization required
- Unique fluffy fronds
- Dense, full crown
Iva imbricata
Groundcover in coastal sandy areas. Useful for dune stabilization.
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Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges.
High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt
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Habitat, Coastal dunes.
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Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
- Recently classified invasive
- Does best in cooler areas of South Florida
- Rare and unique
- Highly wind tolerant
- Compact and versatile
Myrcianthes fragrans
Specimen plant. Roadsides, parking lot edges, and medians. Smaller forms can make good foundation screens.
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
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Considertions, Both suckers and seedlings will appear.
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Wildlife, Birds eat the fruits.
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Habitat, Tropical rockland hammock, coastal hammock.
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Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Interesting bark, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Hurricane wind resistance
Attracts bees and butterflies.
- Attractive contrast between flowers and foliage
- Damaged by citrus canker
- Colorful fall foliage
- Healthy edible fruit
Gentiana saponaria
The range of this plant barely makes it into Florida and only 2 locations have been documented. It is not rare in states to the north.
Garden flower
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
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Habitat, Moist woods, stream banks, moist roadsides.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Bumblebees are an important pollinator for this species. Small beetles feed on the pollen.
- Prominant olive crownshaft, slightly buldging
- Unique foliage and silhouette
- Iconic symbol of the south
- Highly nutritious fruit
Ficus aurea
This is a large tree best used in settings where its form can be appreciated. It is both a specimen tree and and shade tree.
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
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Considertions, In some settings, the tree begins as an epiphyte and sends roots down to the ground wrapping around the host. This is interesting in natural settings
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Wildlife, Birds and small mammals consume fruit and often deposit seeds high in the canopy.
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Habitat, Moist-wet sites to dry sites and on shallow soils over limestone. Tropical hammocks, swamps. May be epiphytic or have aerial roots that may wrap arou
,
Did You Know?, Interesting bark, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage
Larval host for ruddy daggerwing (Marpesia petreus) and Antillean daggerwing (Marpesia eleuchea)
- Rapid growth
- Slow Growth
- Wonderfully fragrant
- Lovely dark green, shiny leaves
- Unique flowers, with petals like banana peels
- Can be grown indoors
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
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Considertions, An aggressive grower. Plant where that characteristic is appropriate.
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Habitat, Riverine forests, flatwoods, beaches, fresh and brackish marshes, disturbed sites.
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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.
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
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Considertions, Difficult to establish and not long-lived.
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Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds.
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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
Clematis virginiana
Has male and female plants. Only the females will have showy seed heads.
Clematis terniflora is a similar-looking non-native white Clematis that is co
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
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Considertions, May become overly large if not trimmed.
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Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds (https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/).
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Habitat, Wooded sites, disturbed areas, thickets near roadsides. Typically wet.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits
Larval host for the mournful thyris (Thyris sepulchralis).
Attracts bees (https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/).
- Pyramidal crown
- Unique, sweet, almond-like flavor
- Produces aromatic flowers year-round
- Massive, nutrient-dense edible 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.
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
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Considertions, Could overrun small ponds or water features.
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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
Aletris lutea
Moist wildflower garden. As it is tall and thin, it's best planted as a group toward the rear of other plants.
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Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
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Habitat, Open seepage areas, flatwoods, moist ditches.
,
Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Pollinated by bumblebees and beeflies.
- Pleasant rounded shape
- Native
- Dense canopy
- Elegant
- Beautiful, natural globe shape
