This is one of the most common ferns in central-southern Florida and potentially one of the most beautiful. Ground cover for moist, shady sites. Also , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Will spread unless contained by physical or environmental limits. Periodic removal of old fronds is recommended. , Habitat, Marshes, swamps , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage

Has shiny, stiff leaves 2.5 to 5 inches long. Often used as a hedge plant. Fast growing. Can also work as an individual specimen. A good choice for d , 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 , Wildlife, Dense foliage can be good bird nesting habitat.  Fruits are dispersed by wind. , Habitat, Dry sites near the coast. Hammocks and pinelands. , Did You Know?, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Attracts pollinators.

Emerald ash borer is a problem in the northeast, and if it reaches Florida, it would likely be lethal to this species. Specimen tree where a small dr , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Flowers and leaves emerge late in the spring and leaves fall early in the fall. When not blooming, it's not outstanding. , Wildlife, Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals. , Habitat, Moist hammocks, but adaptable to many situations. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Larval host for rustic sphinx (Manduca rustica), waved sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa), and laurel s

May need trimming to form a single trunk tree for landscaping. Makes an excellent specimen tree due to the corky wings on its twigs. Older speciments , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Susceptible to the Dutch elm disease  (not a problem in Florida). Has a shallow root system , Wildlife, Important early spring food for songbirds. , Habitat, Floodplains, slopes, well-drained forests. , Did You Know?, Interesting bark, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Larval host for the question mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)

This was one of the important grasses of the mid-western prairies. Survives occasional flooding and repeated burning. Plant in the rear of a wildflow , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Birds eat seeds. , Habitat, Flatwoods, sandhills. , Did You Know?, Fall color, Showy flowers, Showy fruits Larval host for pepper and salt skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon).

This is one of Florida's most showy and most under-appreciated wildflowers. Look for it along disturbed roadsides in mid-late winter and early spring. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Sharp thorn-like prickles cover most of the plant. Highly toxic. , Habitat, Ruderal areas. Common on dry roadsides. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Thorns Attracts pollinators including bees, flies, and beetles.  Documented bee species include  Apis mellifera (honeybee), Dialictus