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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 , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Small seed-eating birds pick out the seeds from the mature flower heads. , Habitat, Vary by species. Mostly sandhills, bogs, roadsides, ruderal. , 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
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Cercis canadensis
Bloom can be long lasting relative to other early spring blooming trees -- as long as a month. Duration is dependent on temperature. Flowers grow dire , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, At the extreme south end of its range, it may not bloom well. The wood is weak and is likely to break off during a high wind event unless grouped with , Habitat, Upland hardwood forests. Bluffs, hammocks, secondary woods. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Larval host for Henry's elfin (Callophrys henrici) and io moth (Automeris io). Popular with bees including bumbleb
  • Highly versatile
  • Ideal with Mediterranean architecture
  • Ideal for smaller spaces
  • Unique foliage and silhouette
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Zigadenus glaberrimus
Moist wildflower garden, especially acidic gardens oriented toward sphagnum, pitcher plants, and similar bog species. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Attracts pollinators. , Habitat, Flatwoods, wet prairie, savanna. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers
  • Recently classified invasive
  • Pleasant rounded shape
  • Often draped with Spanish moss
  • Smaller stature
  • Stunning long emerald crownshaft
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Brickellia cordifolia
This is a rare plant.  Please acquire responsibly (don't steal from the wild). Not common in the nursery trade (we are aware of one North Florida nurs , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Open woodlands , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Especially attractive to butterflies.
  • Attractive symmetrical appearance
  • Beautiful rounded canopy
  • Very rare
  • Slender and elegant
  • Easy/Carefree
  • Prominent pale green crownshaft
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Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Wood is quite soft and weak.  This author had one break in a storm.  It did however resprout from low on the trunk and the sprout is now about 15 ft t , 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 , Considertions, Quite thorny. , Wildlife, Birds and other wildlife eat the fruit. , Habitat, Hammocks, wet woods, dunes, shell middens. , Did You Know?, Interesting bark, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage, Thorns Larval host for giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes).
  • Attracts butterflies and bees
  • Showy display of fruit
  • Beautiful sweeping fronds with drooping leaflets
  • Killed by citrus greening (HLB)
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Gordonia lasianthus
Makes a good specimen tree or a cluster of in wet areas along margins of lakes and ponds. This tree is columnar in form and can make a formal-looking , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Sensitive to drying. Difficult to grow unless its moisture requirements are met. , Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds. , Habitat, Moist-wet sites. Seepage swamps, bay swamps, edges of cypress domes, low flatwoods. This species is likely restricted to wetland edges both by its ne , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Flowers attract a variety of insects including bees and flies.
  • Heavy feeder
  • Attractive contrast between flowers and foliage
  • Beloved in South Florida
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Pinus palustris
Highly tolerant of fire once established. Shade tree. Woodland tree. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Huge pine cones litter the ground, so not a good tree for a lawn. , Wildlife, Known for its use by squirrels, especially fox squirrels. Birds also eat the nuts. Old trees in well managed (properly burned) natural sandhill and fl , Habitat, Sandhill, mesic to dry flatwoods. , Did You Know?, Hurricane wind resistance
  • Rapid growth
  • Dark green leaves
  • Colorful new leafs
  • Requires shade when young
  • Majestic, sprawling canopy
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Thelypteris spp.
These are generally moist site ferns though some (T. kunthii, T. ovata) grow in mesic uplands. Most are similar in appearance, and all will grow in a , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, The native range varies by species. Please use species appropriate to your area. , Wildlife, Cover for many ground-dwelling species. , Habitat, Hydric and mesic hammocks, shallow swamps and swamp edges, floodplains. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
  • Tiered branches
  • Very showy bright yellow flowers
  • Will not tolerate frost
  • Somewhat salt tolerant
  • Formal, old-world appearance
  • Elegant and stately
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Woodwardia areolata
This colony-forming fern is well-behaved in the landscape. Use as a groundcover in moist areas, rain gardens, or bioswales. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, It grows best in drier areas if there is some shade. In full sun, it requires reliable moisture. , Wildlife, Provides cover for small wildlife such as toads. , Habitat, Dome swamp, hydric hammock, seep slopes over limestone, hydric pine flatwoods. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
  • Edible, healthy fruit
  • Unusual deep green leaves with bronze underside
  • Excellent small hedge
  • Moderately slow growth
  • Elegant and stately
  • Compact size
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Chrysophyllum oliviforme
Specimen tree. Valued for its foliage which is shiny green on top and silky brown beneath. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Slow growing. May be top-killed by frost in extreme northern parts of its range or when planted to the north of its natural range.  Does resprout from , Wildlife, Birds and other wildlife consume fruit. , Habitat, Tropical rockland hammocks. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Insect pollinated.
  • Requires high humidity
  • Fruit attracts wildlife
  • Very showy clusters of flowers
  • Readily pruned into attractive shapes
  • Killed by citrus greening (HLB)
  • Recently classified invasive
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Liatris savannensis
Endemic to western peninsular Florida from Tampa south to Charlotte County. Wildflower garden. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , 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 , Habitat, Flatwoods. , 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
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Calamintha coccinea
Short lived. Rarely grown as it is difficult to establish. Retain it in the landscape if is is occurring naturally. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Difficult to establish and requires highly specific site conditions. , Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds. , Habitat, Scrub, in open areas. Sandhills, coastal hammocks. Mostly near the coast. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers Attracts  bees, and butterflies.
  • Attractive contrast between flowers and foliage
  • Can be kept narrow
  • Very showy clusters of flowers
  • Can be grown indoors
  • Symmetrical shape