Listed as Endangered in Florida. Please acquire only from reputable nurseries. The US range is limited to Florida. Globally, it is also found in the West Indies. Accent shrub, screen plant if used as a hedge.

The range of Prunus serotina includes most of eastern North America as far north as southern Canada.  It extends west into Texas and there are spotty occurrences as far west as Arizona.  In Florida, the range appears to be continuous as far south as the central peninsula after which it disappears, a pattern generally associated with temperature.  This species should grow well down to the central peninsula. Some people consider this to be a weed tree.  This author has it in my "field" where it is thriving and very welcome.  It is an early successional tree, but not a problem plant.  The tree lis an important component of deciduous forests in north Florida and eastern North America. Shade tree. Useful for informal reforestation of old grove land.

Red/orange fall color is excellent. Leaves have three separate shapes: ovoid, tri-lobed, or mitten-shaped (left or right). Mature trees tend to have fewer lobed leaves. Subject to laurel wilt disease.  Please be careful not to move firewood or dead wood around.  Best not planted in areas where laurel wilt is present. A relatively small tree that often forms thickets. Best used in informal settings.

Understory shrub.

Natural areas with some trees and vines for support

The distribution mimics the distribution of steepheads, a stream/valley system that originates in a very steep-headed ravine where the water seeps out of the ground to form a stream, and the headwall gradually moves uphill due to the water exiting the ground undermining it. Screen or specimen plant in shady wet settings.

Shade tree where falling/fallen nuts will not be a problem.

Use along streams or edges of retention areas. Can be a screen or specimen tree in moist areas. Blooms better in moderate to high light settings.

Edible, very hot fruits

Some literature sources suggest that this species may have some salt tolerance as it apparently grows along the upper edges of some salt marshes, but so far as we have seen recorded, not in Florida. Moist/wet wildflower garden.

Groundcover in moist areas. Can be mowed.

Use as a specimen plant or understory tree. May be single or multi-stemmed.

It's a legume, so nitrogen fixation may help it survive in low nutrient soils. Fast growing. Shade tree. Attractive for its lacy foliage. Does well as a street tree.

Moist wildflower garden.

This is one of Florida's more widespread spiderlilies. It is sometimes seen in roadside ditches. It is feasible to transplant this species if a plant rescue is needed. However note, a permit may be required. Retain it if in its natural setting. Plant in a moist setting.

Wildflower garden, groundcover

Used extensively in Indian cultures. Fruits are very high in Vitamin C. Casual settings, wetland edge or screen plant. Rain gardens and bioswales. Long bloom period.

Specimen shrub.  Thorniness makes it a good property edge hedge.