Multistemmed shrub that can form small thickets. Plant as a screen, hedge, or background plant. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Can become aggressive in some habitats. , Habitat, Moist hammocks, dry hammocks, dry hardwood forests , Did You Know?, Fall color, Showy flowers Larval host for southern dogface (Zerene cesonia), gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus), and silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreu

The showy part of this plant is the bracts which are pink to lavender. Flowers are actually small, whitish to yellowish, with purple spots. Wildflowe , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Can get rangy and fall over, but trimming in early summer will keep it bushier. , Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds. , Habitat, Dry disturbed areas, old fields, and upper sand dunes. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers Attracts many bees, butterflies, and moths.

This species is more common in adjacent states and occurs broadly in mid-western prairies.  Its range barely makes it into Florida.   The southern end , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Habitat, Prairies, rocky glades , Did You Know?, Showy flowers

Listed as Endangered in Florida. Rarely planted.  Given the proper support this plant could likely be used as a climbing vine hedge. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Birds and other wildlife eat the fruits. , Habitat, Rockland/tropical hammocks , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage Larval host plant for julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia) butterflies and likely other species. Pollinate

Emerald ash borer is a problem in the northeast and if it reaches Florida, it would likely be lethal to this species. This tree is listed as as Endang , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Fruits used by birds. , Habitat, Scrub and scrubby flatwoods. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Probably bee pollinated.

The range of this plant barely makes it into Florida and only 2 locations have been documented.  It is not rare in states to the north. Garden flower , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Moist woods, stream banks, moist roadsides. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Bumblebees are an important pollinator for this species.  Small beetles feed on the pollen.

Note: There are cultivars, such as "Little Gem" sold in nurseries that originate from non-Florida stock (Little Gem is a North Carolina tree). Suitabi , 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 , Wildlife, Fruits are eaten (and spread) by  squirrels, opossums, and birds including quail, and turkey. , Habitat, Slope forest, dry-mesic to mesic upland hardwood forest. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Beetles are the primary pollinators. The flowers have a hardened carpel t