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 , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Wildlife, Good cover for birds, and birds and other wildlife enjoy the fruit. , Habitat, Pine rockland, rockland hammock. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Larval host for the Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunneus). Nectar plant for a variety of butterflies.

Rarely grown but worthy of consideration for moist areas. Poisonous and nectar may be toxic to some insects. Grow on support or up a tree in moist ar , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, The flowers, leaves, and roots are poisonous and may be lethal to humans and livestock. The species nectar may also be toxic to honeybees if too much , Wildlife, Possibly used by hummingbirds, but toxins in the nectar may make it a last resort. , Habitat, Bogs, acidic swamps, wet river swamps. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Attracts bees.

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)