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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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Ilex cassine var. myrtifolia
Not frequently cultivated, but worthy of consideration in appropriate sites for its long-lasting colorful fruits.  Fruits can be red or yellow. Good , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, It's dioecious; so make sure you have at least one male plant in the vicinity to produce berries on the females. , Wildlife, Fruits are eaten by birds. , Habitat, Wet-moist sites. Typically found in shallow wetland areas. , Did You Know?, Showy fruits Bees pollinate flowers.
  • Easily trimmed to maintain desired size
  • Requires protection from strong winds
  • Extremely popular
  • Dense attractive foliage
  • Unique foliage
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Guapira discolor
Listed as Endangered by the State of Florida. Small tree or large shrub known for its shiny leaves. Can be used in difficult sites (such as road edge , 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, Seeds eaten by birds. Also provides cover. , Habitat, Dry-moist sites. Tropical hammocks, pine rocklands, coastal rock flats, coastal hammocks. , Did You Know?, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage
  • Easy/Carefree native
  • Mostly bare in the coldest months
  • Adequate fertalization required
Beefwood
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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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Juglans nigra
Will not produce flowers/seed unless it gets adequate winter cold, hence not recommended for use south of its native range. Salt spray tolerance was b , 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 , Considertions, Nuts can be abundant on the ground in fall. Husks can stain. Tree roots, nuts, and leaves exude an effective herbicide (juglone) to reduce competition , Wildlife, Seeds eaten by squirrels and other odents.  May be a significant food the fox squirrels (https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/jugnig/all.ht , Habitat, Dry mesic woods. Second bottoms. Prefers rich soils. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
  • Stunning long emerald crownshaft
  • Unique, sweet almond flavor
  • Iconic symbol of the south
  • Often hosts orchids, ferns and bromiliads
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Rhododendron austrinum
Specimen plant. Can form large patches if allowed to do so. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Poisonous if ingested. , Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds. , Habitat, Slope forest, upland mixed forest, upland hardwood forest, bottomland forest. Rare. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Attracts pollinators, especially bees.
  • Moderately slow growth
  • Stunning colorful foliage
  • Uncommon
Florida Azalea
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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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Annona glabra
In Australia, pond apple is a Weed of National Significance. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of invasiveness, potential , Tolerance, Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation) High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and , Considertions, Fruit litter may be a problem in in small landscapes. , Wildlife, Bird nesting area and food source.  Fruit used by mammals such as raccoons. , Habitat, Swamps and sloughs , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Larval food source for Giant sphinx (Cocytius antaeus). Pollinated by beetles.
  • Not a true pine
  • Fruit eaten by birds
  • Thrives only briefly, about 1 year
  • Ideal with Mediterranean architecture
Custard-apple
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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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Crossopetalum rhacoma
Listed as Threatened in Florida. Please acquire from reputable sources. Screen plant. Informal hedge. Specimen. , Tolerance, Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation) High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and , Wildlife, Fruits attract birds. , Habitat, Pine rockland, rockland hammock. , Did You Know?, Showy fruits
  • Moderately salt tolerant
  • Breathtaking and memorable
  • Will not tolerate frost
  • Adequate fertalization required
Maidenberry
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Nymphaea jamesoniana
Likely more common than suggested by the known county occurrences as likely overlooked since its blooms are nocturnal. It is not clear to this author , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Open only at night. Fragrant. , Habitat, Aquatic. Marsh, lake. Roadside ditches. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers This particular water lily blooms only at night.  Personal observation, and a published research study suggest that t
  • Massive stature when mature
  • Towering
  • Prominent pale green crownshaft
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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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Penstemon australis
Wildflower garden. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Attracts hummingbirds. , Habitat, Sandhill, secondary woods, flatwoods. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Attracts bees.
  • Ideal with Mediterranean architecture
  • Delicious edible fruit
  • Healthy edible fruit
  • Magnificent when flowering
  • Rapid growth
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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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Callirhoe papaver
Found naturally in Florida in glades, which have marly soils, and in Alachua County, in shallow sands over marl deposits that cover the underlying lim , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Upland mixed forest. Found in edges or understory and on roadsides. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Larval Host to the checkered-skipper (Pyrgus communis). Attracts bees.
  • Fragrant in the evening
  • Beautiful, natural globe shape
  • Damaged by citrus canker
  • Often draped with Spanish moss
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Nymphaea mexicana
The range of this plant appears to encompass most of Florida with actual occurrances having been found in streams with appropriate water chemistry (ap , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Aquatic. Quiet pools in spring-run streams, spring-fed lakes and ponds, still water. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Everything from flies, to beetles, and various sorts of bees have been recorded on water lilies (In Defense of Plants blog).  Given the
  • Attractive and unique swollen trunk
  • Often draped with Spanish moss
  • Handsome
  • Attractive dark green leaves
  • Elegant appearance
  • Distinctive-looking fruit with spiked exterior
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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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Ruellia caroliniensis
Wild petunia's flower only last for a day, but they have a very long flowering period, starting in early spring and going strong through the fall. Ple , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Habitat, Dry mesic hammocks, flatwoods, sandhill, disturbed areas. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Larval host for Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) and White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae) butterflies. Attracts many pollinators.
  • Ideal with Mediterranean architecture
  • Easy/Carefree
  • Prominant olive crownshaft
  • Relatively uncommon in South Florida
  • Pleasant rounded shape
Wild Petunia
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Woodwardia virginica
Use as a groundcover in moist areas. Also useful in wetland restoration areas. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Aggressive, so plant where this will not be a problem or where nothing else will grow. , Habitat, Swamps, marshes. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage
  • Stunning during brief late spring bloom
  • Wonderfully fragrant
  • Attractive glossy leaves
  • Prominent blue-gray crownshaft