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Nymphoides aquatica
This species is listed as invasive in parts of the world where it is not native.
Water garden, planting of surface water management pond. Often used
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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, Water. Ponds, lakes, quiet streams, swampa, ditches, canals. This species can be seen in the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area in Hillsborough
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Pollinated by bees and flies.
- Easy/Carefree native
- Handsome
- Pyramidal crown
- Does best in cooler areas of South Florida
- Easily trimmed to maintain desired size
- Does poorly in very wet soil
Acrostichum danaeifolium
Can be cut back to improve appearance, but should not be severely pruned more than once a year.
Spores cover undersides of leaves giving them a bi-col
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Tolerance, Tolerant of inundation with brackish water
High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury.
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Considertions, Not drought tolerant.
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Wildlife, Used as cover.
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Habitat, Brackish and freshwater marshes, swamps, river floodplains.
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Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
- Dense, full crown
- Rare and unique
- Requires shade when young
- Elegant and stately
- Pleasant rounded shape
- Highly nutritious fruit
Orontium aquaticum
Curiosity in wetland gardens.
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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, Like many members of the Arum family, all parts of this plant are toxic.
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Habitat, Shallow water of pools, streams, and swamps.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage
Pollinated by bees, flies, and beetles (Florida Wildflower Foundation)
- Pyramidal crown
- Excellent small hedge
- Killed by citrus greening (HLB)
Byrsonima lucida
Flower color varies, which gives the plant a multi-hued array of flowers.
Listed as Threatened in Florida
Specimen plant where its showy, multi-color
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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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Wildlife, Good cover for birds, and birds and other wildlife enjoy the fruit.
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Habitat, Pine rockland, rockland hammock.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Larval host for the Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunneus).
Nectar plant for a variety of butterflies.
- Attractive contrast between flowers and foliage
- Showy red berries
- Attractive and unique swollen trunk
Lyonia ferruginea
New leaves are rusty-orange. Easy to care for.
Can grow as a small tree or a shrub.
Use where this small tree's interesting shape will be an asset. D
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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, Scrub, scrubby flatwoods, overgrown sandhill.
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Did You Know?, Interesting bark, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage
Attracts bees. The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of
- Moderately slow growth
- Prolific fruiter
- Uncommon edible fruit
- Requires occassional fertalization
Viburnum rufidulum
Specimen plant, screen plant, understory tree/shrub.
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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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Wildlife, Attracts pollinators. Birds and other wildlife consume fruit.
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Habitat, Upland hardwood forests, bluffs, secondary woods.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits
Larval host for the spring azure butterfly (Celastrina ladon).
Both native and non-native viburnums (Viburnum spp.) attra
- Flowers year round
- Imposing stature
- Silvery blue-green fronds
- Highly wind tolerant
- Lovely deep green, glossy leaves
- Unique, stout pineapple-like trunk when young
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
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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
Ptelea trifoliata
Understory tree, use as a background plant or screen.
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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, Floodplains, rich woodlands, upland mixed forest.
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Did You Know?, Fall color, Showy fruits
Larval host for the giant swallowtail.
Carrion flies pollinate the flowers.
- Very showy bright yellow flowers
- Slender trunk, 4" in diameter
- Relatively uncommon in South Florida
- Native
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.
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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
Sophora tomentosa var. truncata
Use as an accent tree or shrub. It has a long blooming period, tolerates poor soils, and is easy to grow.
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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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Wildlife, Attracts small birds.
Attracts hummingbirds
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Habitat, Shell mound, maritime hammock, beach dune, coastal strand, inland borders of marine tidal swamp, marine tidal marsh (salt marsh).
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage
Attracts many insect pollinators including bees, butterflies, and moths.
- Prominent pale green or blue-gray crownshaft
- Stunning
- Hummingbird favorite
Rudbeckia spp.
Multiple species are native to Florida. Most are attractive and many are easy to grow. This is a catch-all for species not listed individually. Ple
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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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Wildlife, Small seed-eating birds pick out the seeds from the mature flower heads.
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Habitat, Vary by species. Mostly sandhills, bogs, roadsides, ruderal.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Attract butterflies, bees and wasps.
- Long emerald crownshaft
- Can be grown indoors
- Somewhat drought tolerant
- Colorful new leafs
- No longer recommended
Sabal palmetto
Designated as the Florida State Tree.
Trees on coastal islands in the Big Bend area are failing to reproduce due to sea level rise, and islands in th
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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
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Considertions, Fronds and flower stalks fall. Seeds sprout readily and can require control. In southern part of the state, strangler figs can sprout in the boots and
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Wildlife, Seeds used by small mammals such as raccoons. Used by birds for nesting.
Dead palm fronds -- roosting habitat for yellow bats. Their yellowish color
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Habitat, Flatwoods, moist hammocks, swamps, river floodplains, ruderal
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Did You Know?, Interesting bark, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance
Larval host plant for Monk Skipper (Asbolis capucinus) butterfly.
Pollinated by bees
- Dense canopy
- Stately and uncommon
- Colorful fall foliage
- Excellent edible fruit
- Tall and stately
- Narrow crown
