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Moderate Effort Butterflies Clear all
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Guaiacum sanctum
While most of these slow-growing trees were harvested for their wood, one Florida key retained its population because it was privately owned. It's now , 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, Very slow growing--as little as an inch per year after the seedling stage if not fertilized. , Wildlife, Catbirds and mockingbirds eat the seeds. (IRC) , Habitat, Rockland hammock. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Larval host plant for lyside sulphur (Kricogonia lyside) butterflies. (IR
  • Ideal for smaller spaces
  • Abundance of orange-red flowers in summer
  • Prominent blue-gray crownshaft
  • Unique swollen blue-green to silver trunk
  • Prized scent, used in commercial perfumes
  • Raised diamond-shaped trunk pattern
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Suriana maritima
Works well to control erosion (wind and water) on dunes. Hedge or specimen plant in coastal areas. , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt , Habitat, Dunes, beaches, coastal scrub, sandy thickets. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Host plant for Martial Scrub Hairstreak (Strymon martialis) and Mallow Scrub Hairstreak
  • Does poorly oceanside
  • Falls over easily, may require staking
  • Very showy clusters of flowers
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Rudbeckia mohrii
We are aware of on nursery attempting to grow it but to the best of our knowledge, it is not yet available for sale. If you gather seed, be sure to ha , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Rarely planted due to inavailability and its need for wet sites. , Wildlife, Small birds are likely to harvest seeds. , Habitat, Marshes and moist prairies , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Not studied,  Based on insects attracted by other species, we suspect it attracts butterflies and moths, tachinid flies, bee flies, syr
  • Mostly bare in the coldest months
  • Swollen, succulent branches
  • Not as popular as it once was
  • Fragrant in the evening
  • Requires high humidity
  • Beloved in South Florida
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Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei
Very large leaves. This is a very rare species endemic to a few steep-sided ravines and bluffs in the Florida panhandle. This species is listed as End , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Fruits eaten and spread by birds and small mammals. , Habitat, Slope forest, upland mixed forest. Ravines. Andy's photo is of a planted specimen that appears to nearly lack the red/purple splotches at the bases , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Beetles are the primary pollinators of magnolia flowers. The flowers have a hardened carpel to avoid damage by the
  • Tall and stately
  • Forms an open canopy
  • Requires protection from strong winds
  • Available single or multi-stalked
  • Attractive flowers, typically deep orange
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Quercus michauxii
Shade tree. While native to moist sites, this oak does well in moderately dry areas as well. Makes a good street tree and can be used in parking lot i , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Fallen/falling acorns can be a maintenance issue. , Wildlife, Acorns prized by squirrels, deer, turkey and other wildlife. , Habitat, Mesic sites near swamp edges and second bottoms of floodplains. May occur in uplands on shallow soils over limestone. , Did You Know?, Larval food for brown duskywing butterfly (Erynnis horatius), gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus), and white-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album).
  • Symmetrical shape
  • Beautiful pinwheel flowers, often multicolored
  • Unique, sweet, almond-like flavor
Cow Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak
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Fraxinus caroliniana
The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a very destructive wood-boring beetle native to Asia. It was discovered in North America in July 2002, , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, The wood is soft. , Wildlife, Rodents and birds consume seed. , Habitat, Wet sites. Floodplains, swamps. Typically in areas with prolonged, deep inundation. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage Larval host for eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) and viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
  • Unique, stout pineapple-like trunk when young
  • Very rare
  • Lush, dense shade tree
  • Can be trimmed into manicured shapes
  • Wonderfully fragrant flowers
  • Prominant olive crownshaft
Water Ash
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Saccharum giganteum
Specimen plant or background plant in moist informal garden. This is a mid-sized bunching grass until the flower stalk shoots up in the fall. Then it , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, The flower stalks need to be removed once no longer showy. , Wildlife, Birds will eat the seeds.  Provides cover. , Habitat, Flatwoods, marshes, coastal swales, cypress ponds, lake shores, cutthroat seep. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits Host plant for the Clouded Skipper butterfly (Lerema accius)
  • Easily trimmed to maintain desired size
  • Christmas tree shape
  • Massive, nutrient-dense edible fruit
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Plumbago zeylanica
This species is grown primarily for its use as a butterfly plant. It is not as showy as the commonly grown introduced plumbago. This species has a pan , 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 , Habitat, Coastal hammocks. , Did You Know?, Larval host for Cassius blue. Attracts butterflies, moths, and bees.
  • Striking symmetrical appearance
  • Adequate fertalization required
  • Slender trunk, 4" in diameter
  • Readily pruned into attractive shapes
  • Imposing stature
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Drosera tracyi
A similar species, Drosera filiformis is rare in the Florida panhandle and disjunct from northeastern US populations.  In Florida, it is restricted to , Tolerance, Unknown Unknown , Habitat, Savannas, bogs, moist disturbed ruderal areas (selected roadside swales), wet flatwoods , Did You Know?, Showy flowers The plant both attracts insects for pollination and traps and digests insects.  Though this species has not been well studied, other sp
  • Ideal for smaller spaces
  • Adequate moisture required
  • Imposing stature
  • Beautiful rounded dense canopy
Tracy's Sundew
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Carphephorus pseudoliatris
Wildflower garden. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Not drought tlerant. , Habitat, Flatwoods, bogs. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Attracts many butterflies (NSIS), bees and other pollinators.
  • Very rare
  • Prefers acidic soil
  • Not recommended
  • Excellent edible fruit
  • Colorful fall foliage
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Vitis shuttleworthii
Edible. Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Grown by enthusiasts. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, High climbing woody vine. , Wildlife, Animals eat the berries. , Habitat, Moist forests and pinelands. Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, with humusy top layer. , Did You Know?, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage
  • Formal appearance
  • Handsome
  • Attractive contrast between flowers and foliage
  • Forms an open canopy
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Fothergilla milleri
May sucker and form small clones Foundation plantings, group or mass planting, multi-season accent, or specimen shrub. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Sunny, wet eges of baygalls, shrub swamps, pitcherplant bogs; shrubby transition zones into wet flatwoods. , Did You Know?, Fall color, Showy flowers Attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
  • Showy creamy white flowers
  • Unique, sweet almond flavor
  • Massive, nutrient-dense edible fruit
  • Showy display of fruit
  • Grows tall, but not massive
  • Fruit attracts wildlife
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Conradina etonia
Listed as Endangered by the State of Florida and the USFWS.  This is a rare plant and should only be acquired from reputable plant nurseries with prop , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Scrub. In openings. Endemic to Etonia Creek State Forest and vicinity. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Attract many pollinators, especially bees.
  • Uncommon edible fruit
  • Unique foliage
  • Requires shade when young
  • Unique foliage and silhouette
  • Does best in cooler areas of South Florida
  • Slow Growth
Etonia False Rosemary
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Chrysobalanus icaco
Pasco County occurrence is a 2004 specimen from Anclote Key Preserve and is a potential indicator of northward migration due to global warming. Hedge , Tolerance, Tolerant of inundation with brackish water Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Wildlife, Wildlife and birds consume the fruits though they areless useful for small birds due to itheir large size. Provides dense cover. , Habitat, Coastal swamps, beaches, cypress dones, Everglades tree islands, edges of ditches and canals. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Attracts various pollinators, especially bees.
  • Sprawling and informal shrub
  • Uncommon edible fruit
  • Elegant and compact
Cocoplum
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Gymnanthes lucida
Small tree with shiny foliage. New leaves are reddish. Columnar growth form. Suited to planting near structures and a good background plant for urban , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Wildlife, Provides cover. , Habitat, Hammocks. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
  • Excellent hedge choice
  • Moderately salt tolerant
  • Not a true pine
  • Fast growth
  • Compact and versatile
  • Slow Growth
Oysterwood
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Mimosa quadrivalvis
There are two varieties in Florida which are essentially equivalent for landscape purposes:  Mimosa quadrivalvis var. angustata and M. quadrivalvis va , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Recurved prickles, take care when handling. , Habitat, Sandhill, scrub and flatwoods , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage, Thorns Attracts small insects pollinators.  Bees documented on this species include Agapostemon splendens, Augoch
  • Striking silhouette
  • Can be kept narrow
  • Mostly bare in the coldest months