Leaves are very small and arranged in circles around the stem at each node giving it a banded appearance. This is a fern ally and reproduces by spores , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, This plant will spread. , Wildlife, Provides good cover at the edges of waterways or ponds. , Habitat, Sandy soils in river floodplains, lake edges, ditches, sloughs. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage

These species are, in combination, found throughout Florida and from a cultivation perspective, are very similar.  In nature, O. stricta tends to be i , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure t , Considertions, Thorns! The thorns on this plant make weeding around it difficult. Best planted where no one will be walking adjacent to the plant. , Habitat, Coastal dunes, coastal grasslands. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Thorns Nectar plant for Meske's skipper (Hesperia meskei) butterflies. Attracts a variety of insect

The various sources have conflicting opinions on the fruit and its uses. Specimen plant or wildlife planting for moist areas. Screen plant. Suggested , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Apparently less interesting as a wildlife food tree than some other haws. , Habitat, In and near pools and small ponds, floodplains, swamps, especially where water stands much of the time. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Larval food for hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)and blinded sphinx (Paonias excaecata). Attracts pollinators, especially importan

Retain if present. Can be used as part of a screen in a dry site setting. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Slow growing. , Habitat, Dry-moist sites. Cutthroat seeps, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, scrub. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Attracts bees.  The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of Lyonia fruticosa at Archbold Biologica

Restoration proects and casual moist-site plantings. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Provides cover for  invertebrates. Seeds eaten by some birds and small animals. , Habitat, Wetland edges and low adjacent uplands.