Natural landscapes including meadows and butterfly gardens. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Purple thistle is a thorny plant - be very careful when handling. , Wildlife, The seeds are rich in oil, an important food source for seed-eating birds. , Habitat, Coastal plain, edges of salt marshes, pinewoods, prairies and disturbed areas. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage, Thorns Larval host to little metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis) and painted lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies. N

Fruits are magenta. There is a white-fruited/white-flowered variety, uncommonly found naturally in Florida, that is sold occasionally. Specimen plant , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Cut back in winter to encourage blooming and good form. , Wildlife, Many bird species consume the fruit. including catbirds, mockinbirds, and robins. , Habitat, Dry mesic hardwoods, xeric hammock, scrubby flatwoods, flatwoods, disturbed dry-moist woods. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Hurricane wind resistance Larval host for for spring azure butterflies and snowberry clearwing moths. Attracts various p

Specimen shrub.  Thorniness makes it a good property edge hedge. , 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, Spiny , Wildlife, Birds eat the fruits (and the red&black arils). , Habitat, Dry coastal hammocks and shell mounds. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Thorns Larval host  for cassius blue (Leptotes cassius theonus), large orange sulphur (Phoebis agarithe), and Miami blue (Cyclargus th

Succulent foliage. This plant is in the tomato family.  FNPS cannot vouch that the fruit is edible. Specimen plant, hedge plant , Tolerance, Tolerant of inundation with brackish water High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury. , Considertions, Toxic to livestock. Green fruits toxic to humans. , Wildlife, Fruits are eaten by birds (Florida Wildflower Foundation) Attracts hummingbirds (Hammer) , Habitat, Salt marsh, salt flats. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Nectar plant for great southern white (Ascia monuste), gulf fritillary (A

The showy part of this plant is the bracts which are pink to lavender. Flowers are actually small, whitish to yellowish, with purple spots. Wildflowe , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Can get rangy and fall over, but trimming in early summer will keep it bushier. , Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds. , Habitat, Dry disturbed areas, old fields, and upper sand dunes. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers Attracts many bees, butterflies, and moths.

This naturally occurring hybrid has become a landscaping favorite. Ilex x attenuata is a natural hybrid originally found growing in the wild in Florid , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Fruits are eaten by birds. , Habitat, Freshwater and brackish marshes. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage Bees visit the flowers, but all plants are female.  This is apparently one of the few hollies where

Wetland pond edges. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Wet pine flatwoods, marshes, floodplains, lake and pond margins. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Likely pollinated by bees.

Can be distinguished from non-native agave by its bare basal trunk. Endemic to southern peninsular Florida from the Monroe County Keys north along the , Tolerance, Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation) High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and , Considertions, Sharp pointed leaves and sap that can be irritating to the skin. Only blooms once. , Habitat, Coastal hammocks, shell middens, dry coastal uplands. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Larval host for Yucca Giant Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) and Cofaqui Giant Skipper (Megathymus cofaqui).  Pollinate

Toxic  to humans. and some animals. Specimen plant, foundation planting, screen. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Old stems should be pruned. Plant tends to sucker, so plant where suckers are an asset. , Wildlife, Some birds and other wildlife consume fruit.  Foliage is poisonous. , Habitat, Seepage areas, moist hammocks, swamps, river floodplains , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Attracts bees and butterflies.

The common name refers to the pliable twigs. Use as a border plant, foundation plant, or understory shrub in a shady, moist setting. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Can cause serious skin irritation and is somewhat toxic to ingest. A rare shrub, so may not adapt well into home landscapes. , Habitat, Mesic slope forests, ravines and bluffs. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage Insects visit the flowers, but likely the plant does not rely upon them.  Visits apparently opportunistic.  (Williams, 2004).

Called pignut because pigs eat the nuts. Excellent specimen or shade tree in areas where its roots will not be disturbed. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Does not tolerate root disturbance. The author has lost multiple trees due to a fungal root pathogen that was apparently able to enter the tree when r , Wildlife, A favorite food of squirrels. , Habitat, Xeric hammock, mixed upland forest, pine-oak-hickory woods. , Did You Know?, Fall color, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Larval host for many moths including; luna moth (Actias luna), hickory leafroller moth (Ar

Litsea aestivalis is listed as Endangered by the State of Florida.  Since that listing, the laurel wilt disease has come to Florida, and is known to k , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Fruits eaten by birds and mammals. , Habitat, Near the edges of forested wetlands and some seasonal ponds wtih open centers. , Did You Know?, Attracts flies and small bees.  A likely host for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly.