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Phlox spp.
Florida has a number of Phlox species, almost all found in forested settings. The common roadside species (Phlox drummondii) is not a Florida native (
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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, Some phlox species attract hummingbirds.
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Habitat, Open woods.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Attracts butterflies and bees.
- Very full crown
- Smaller stature
- Wonderfully fragrant
- Does best in cooler areas of South Florida
- Moderately drought tolerant
- Decorative diamond-shaped trunk pattern
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.
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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
Senna ligustrina
Because it's a legume it can grow in poor soils, but does better with added organic matter.
Specimen shrub.
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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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Habitat, Hammock edges, disturbed areas.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Larval host plant for cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae), sleepy orange (Eurema nicippi) and the introduced orange-barred sulphur (Phoe
- Requires ample space and light
- Adequate moisture required
- Moderately drought tolerant
- Majestic, sprawling canopy
Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis
Seeds float and can be dispersed by water. Noted as a sand stabilizer being one of the first plants to colonize active dunes. Pan-tropical.
Makes a n
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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
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Habitat, Beach dunes.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage
Attracts insects, especially bees.
- Uncommon edible fruit
- Relatively uncommon in South Florida
- Showy clusters orange-yellow fruits in spring
Liatris savannensis
Endemic to western peninsular Florida from Tampa south to Charlotte County.
Wildflower garden.
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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, Sometimes the flower stalks are too tall and heavy to stand. Can be cut back mid-summer to reduce height. In a large garden, the twisted fallen stalks
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Habitat, Flatwoods.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Attracts butterflies and bees.
- Salt tolerant
- Very slow growth
- Does best in warmer areas of South Florida
- Sprawling and informal shrub
Consolea corallicola
This is an ENDANGERED plant (listed both Florida and US). Please acquire this endemic plant only from a reputable source.
One of several cactus specie
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Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges.
Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
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Considertions, Distinctly thorny. Will need protection from invasive cactus moth.
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Habitat, Tropical rockland hammock, coastal rock barren, freshwater tidal swamp and inland margins of mangrove swamp. Photographs are of specimens planted at
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Thorns, Hurricane wind resistance
Consolea corallicola has extremely low genetic diversity as the o
- Prominent pale green crownshaft
- Available single or multi-stalked
- Slender and elegant
- Stunning and colorful while in bloom
- Wind tolerant
Solidago sempervirens
The leaves have a waxy coating.
Wildflower garden.
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Tolerance, Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation)
Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Expo
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Habitat, Coastal upland forest. Coastal marshes, estuarine and bay shores.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Nectar plant for monarch (Danaus plexippus) and other butterflies.
Attracts many pollinators. The goldenrod soldier beetle (a.k.a. le
- Showy red berries
- Moderately slow growth
- Majestic and graceful
- Heavy feeder
- No longer recommended
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
Dalea pinnata
Three species occur in Florida. Please plant your local variety.
Wildflower garden where it is very showy in late summer/early fall.
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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, Some birds and small mammals consume consume the seeds (https://flawildflowers.org/).
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Habitat, Dry flatwoods, sandhill, scrub. This species can be seen at the Starkey Wilderness Preserve in Pasco County.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage
Larval host for southern dogface (Zerene cesonia).
Attracts insects, especially bees.
- Majestic, sprawling canopy
- Prominant gray-olive crownshaft
- Tiered branches
Hibiscus moscheutos
Use in moist areas as a wildflower. It is semi-woody, and if given adequate moisture can be a specimen plant.
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Tolerance, Tolerant of inundation with brackish water
Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
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Wildlife, Pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees and solitary anthophorid bees (Ptilithrix bombiformis). Butterflies are attracted to the nector.
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Habitat, Wet sites. Wet pine flatwoods, edges of sloughs, swamps, bogs, brackish and freshwater marshes and ditches.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Larval host of Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady Butterfly, Common Checkered Skipper and Tropical Checkered Skipper butterflies and four
- Attractive blue-green to silver leaflets
- Handsome
- Very showy bright yellow flowers
- Christmas tree shape
- Dark green leaves
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
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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
Ctenium aromaticum
Restoration of savannas. Curiosity in the wildflower garden.
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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 birds consume seed.
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Habitat, Cutthroat seeps, wet flatwoods, savannas.
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Did You Know?, Showy fruits
it is the larval host plant of arogos skipper (Atrytone arogos) butterflies.
- Prized scent, used in commercial perfumes
- Dense attractive foliage
- Tropical silhouette
- Stately and uncommon
