Specimen shrub, woodland understory shrub, screen, shrub border, mass plantings

Shade tree. Relatively conical or oval in form. Straight trunk.

This plant is a legume and its roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules on them. It is useful on nutrient poor soils. Baptisia simplicifolia is a Florida endemic and is listed as Threatened by the FDACS. Treat as a small shrub even though this is not woody or use as a background plant in a wildflower garden.

If a single plant of similar stature and flowers is desired, consider flatwoods plum, Prunus umbellatus. Based on BONAP and ISB maps, the range of this species covers much of the southern and south central US with some outliers to the north and west. In Florida, it has been documented in many counties in the northern half of the state, and this author is aware of it being in others.  It appears to be appropriate to consider this species native throughout this part of the state. Plant as a screen where its suckers are welcome (woodland edges, casual but large garden settings)

Specimen tree in wet settings. This is a good plant to grow in floodplains.

Specimen plant, screen plantings, sometimes with unusual or weeping form.