Introduction Star Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum), known for its star-shaped flowers and intoxicating fragrance, holds a special place in gardens and hearts worldwide. This evergreen vine, native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, has become a beloved ornamental plant in many parts of the world, including Florida. Its delicate beauty and heady scent have made […]
Plants of Florida
- Air Potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)
- Alligator or Fire Flag (Thalia geniculata)
- American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
- Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)
- Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
- Ballmoss (Tillandsia recurvata)
- Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia)
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
- Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
- Caesar Weed (Urena lobata)
- Cardinal Airplant (Tillandsia fasciculata)
- Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica)
- Cucumberleaf Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
- Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium)
- Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)
- Florida Butterfly Orchid (Encyclia tampensis)
- Giant Leather Fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium)
- Golden Polypody Fern (Phlebodium aureum)
- Goldenrod (Solidago)
- Greenbrier (Smilax)
- Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia)
- Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris)
- Mexican Prickly Poppy (Argemone mexicana)
- Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
- Nuttall’s thistle (Cirsium nuttallii)
- Orange Milkwort (Polygala lutea)
- Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata)
- Pine Lily (Lilium catesbaei)
- Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens)
- Pop Ash (Fraxinus caroliniana)
- Prickly Pear (Opuntia)
- Primrose Willow (Ludwigia)
- Purple Thistle (Asteraceae (Compositae))
- Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides)
- Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius)
- Rough Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)
- Savanna Iris (Iris savannarum)
- Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
- Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)
- Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata)
- Sensitive Pea (Chamaecrista)
- Shoestring Fern (Vittaria)
- Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii)
- Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
- Southern Needleleaf (Tillandsia setacea)
- Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
- Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)
- Star Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum)
- Starrush Whitetop (Rhynchospora colorata)
- Streaked Rattlepod (Crotalaria pallida)
- Sundew (Drosera)
- Swamp Hibiscus/Rosemallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus)
- Sword Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- Tickseed (Coreopsis)
- Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)
- Virginia Iris (Iris virginica)
- Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
- White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)
- Wild Coffee (Psychotria)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Common in Florida and all up and down the US east coast, the red maple (or swamp maple) will remind northern transplants of their precious fall colors. If you miss maple trees while you’re in Florida — here’s your answer! Florida’s Red Maple: A Naturalist’s Delight Introduction Greetings, nature enthusiasts! Today, we embark on an […]
Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
This plant is very common in the dry prairie, and its crushed leaves have a distinct pleasant aroma. As a naturalist, the privilege of wandering through Florida’s diverse landscapes reveals endless wonders, each with its own story to tell. Among the many remarkable plants that grace this region, the Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) stands […]
Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium)
Very common around Sarasota, particularly in disturbed areas like roadsides and trails. Take a small piece — crush and sniff — for a unique aroma, somewhat like dill.
Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)
Goldenrod (Solidago)
In the right season, you’ll see goldenrod crying out yellow all over the place, and it certainly helps that there are well over a hundred species around. I see goldenrod in Florida and in New England, and everywhere between, I can’t pretend to say which species I’m looking at it any given time — but […]
Rough Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)
These look like tiny bamboo tree trunks, and I’ve seen them infrequently, but up and down the US east coast, as well as in Florida. Like ferns, they reproduce with spores instead of seeds.
Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
When these start blooming in March, I start looking for the Irises typically nearby — the blue season has begun!
Savanna Iris (Iris savannarum)
March is a great time to spot these in wet ditches by the side of the road.
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Beautyberry is very common and easily identified by the unique berry color.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Buttonbushes are very common around Sarasota, blooming in the warmer months. A truly remarkable flower!