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Pteris bahamensis
Bahama ladder brake hybridizes with the non-native and invasive China brake (P. vittata) forming Delchamps' ladder brake (P. x delchampsii). Bahama la
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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, Needs periodic removal of old fronds -- cut the clumps back in winter or early spring.
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Habitat, Pine rockland, sinkhole (edges). On limestone.
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Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
- Stunning during brief late spring bloom
- Tropical silhouette
- Striking and exotic
- Stunning
- Very rare
Varronia globosa
Background shrub.
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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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Considertions, Can become weedy in the right conditions.
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Wildlife, Birds and other wildlife consume food. Attracts various pollinators especially bees and butterflies.
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Habitat, Old fields, open areas, edges of hammocks.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits
Attracts butterflies including malachite, atala, and daggerwinds (Haehle and Brookstone 1999).
- Not recommended
- Readily pruned into attractive shapes
- Elegant and compact
- Salt tolerant
Helianthus debilis subsp. cucumerifolius
This subspecies has a broad distribution that extends west into Texas and north into northern New England. It is found broadly but sporatically in Fl
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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, Birds and small mammals eat the seeds.
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Habitat, Beach dune. Disturbed sandy areas both near the coast and inland.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Primarily pollinated by bees.
- Dense canopy
- Slender and elegant
- Iconic symbol of the south
Echinacea purpurea
Requires a reliable cold period to persist. In most of Florida it can be treated as an annual in gardens.
Listed as Endangered by the State of Florida
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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, The further south you go, the more short-lived this species gets. Except in extreme north Florida, treat as an annual or at least don't assume that i
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Wildlife, Small birds and small mammals consume the seed.
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Habitat, Upland glades, openings in upland mixed forests on calcareous soils.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Attracts many pollinators, especially bees.
- Not recommended
- Unique, sweet almond flavor
- Attractive and unique swollen trunk
Symphyotrichum elliottii
Moist wildflower garden. Wetland garden. Plant in full sun and give it plenty of room and plant behind shorter plants.
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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, Clonal--it aggressively sends out suckers. If grown in shady areas, it tends to fall over.
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Habitat, Swamps, brackish and freshwater marshes. Wet flatwoods.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators
- Elegant and stately
- Requires shade when young
- Excellent choice for narrow spaces
- Imposing stature
- Stunning colorful foliage
Eragrostis elliottii
Wildflower garden. Mass plantings.
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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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Wildlife, Small birds and other wildlife consume the seed.
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Habitat, Flatwoods, sandhill, wet prairie, cutthroat seeps, dry hammocks, disturbed sites.
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Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
Larval host for zabulon skipper (Poanes zabulon).
- Elegant
- Elegant and stately
- Wonderfully fragrant, carries a great distance
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
Borrichia frutescens
Natural range is restricted to coastal areas.
Native borders, foundation plant, especially in salty environments. Can be trimmed.
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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, Suckers heavily forming large patches.
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Wildlife, Birds and small mammals use the seeds.
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Habitat, Salt marsh, tidal flats.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Nectar plant for great southern white (Ascia monuste), gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae), large orange sulphur (Phoebis agarithe), so
- Will not tolerate frost
- Relatively uncommon in South Florida
- Very full crown
Sporobolus virginicus
Useful in coastal restoration or retained along a coastal shoreline for stabilization.
Salt marsh coastal stabilizer. Low dune stabilizer. Groundcove
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Tolerance, Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation)
High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and
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Habitat, Dunes, salt marshes, disturbed saline areas.
- Massive, nutrient-dense edible fruit
- Showy clusters orange-yellow fruits in spring
- Year-round blooms
- Beautiful pinwheel flowers, often multicolored
Asimina parviflora
Small tree appropriate to moist areas.
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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 mammals and birds harvest the fruit.
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Habitat, Floodplains.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage
Larval host for zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) and pawpaw sphinx (Dolba hyloeus).
Pollinated by flies and
- Huge extremely fragrant flowers
- Fragrant in the evening
- Breathtaking and memorable
- Delicious edible fruit
- Unique, stout pineapple-like trunk when young
- Thick branching into attractive silouttes
Helianthus spp.
For best results, use species naturally found in your area
Wildflower garden. Most species bloom best if in light shade or sun, though it does depend
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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, Birds love the seeds.
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Habitat, Flatwoods, woodlands, ruderal areas.
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Did You Know?, Showy flowers
Bees and butterflies are attracted to sunflowers. The goldenrod soldier beetle (a.k.a. leatherwing beetle(, Chauliognathus pensylvanicu
- Does poorly in very wet soil
- Handsome
- Lovely dark green, shiny leaves
- Tropical silhouette
Vachellia farnesiana
Although drought-tolerant, this shrub/small tree may benefit from a few deep, thorough soakings during extremely dry periods. When young, it tends to
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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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Considertions, Thorns on trunks and branches. Place where flowers and fragrance can be enjoyed, but away from walkways. Can suffer from root rot if too wet.
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Wildlife, The thorny branches make good cover for birds and other wildlife. Fruits are not generally valued. Attracts pollinators.
There are 2 subspecies, V. fa
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Habitat, Coastal uplands, ruderal, shell middens
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Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage, Thorns
Attracts pollinators and uses ants both for protection against unwanted insects.
- Briefly bare for about a month in the winter
- Very rare
- Prominant olive crownshaft
- Grows tall, but not massive
- Prominent pale green crownshaft
- Intoxicating fragrance
