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Tripsacum floridanum
Grows well well north of its native range.  Documented in very southern counties with an outlier in Martin County -- that outlier is also unique in that it was collected near a cypress dome. Closely related to corn, this species has been crossed with maize to produce a corn that is resistant to Helminthosporium turcicum, the fungus that causes northern leaf blight  (Wikipedia). Listed as Threatened in Florida. Informal borders.
  • Susceptible to breakage, even in moderate winds
  • Highly wind tolerant
  • Symmetrical shape
  • Sometime grows horozontially
  • Elegant appearance
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Hibiscus grandiflorus
This is a wetland plant. It is rarely grown, but it has potential in appropriate sites. Specimen plant or background screen for wet places.
  • Prolific fruiter
  • Extremely popular
  • Colorful older leaves
  • Beautiful pinwheel flowers, often multicolored
  • Recently classified invasive
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Seymeria spp.
They are included here because they are valuable to insects and because they are lovely and good to have in a native garden if you are lucky enough to have them naturally.   Data on culture has been assumed from where this grows in nature -- it is not typically grown and no reliable data appears to be available. Can parasatize southern pines leading, in heavy infestations, to loss of vigor. Retain in semi-natural gardens.
  • Compact size
  • Does best in cooler areas of South Florida
  • Colorful new leafs
  • Tropical silhouette
  • Excellent small to medium hedge
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Carya pallida
Shade tree where falling/fallen nuts will not be a problem.
  • Huge extremely fragrant flowers
  • Extremely popular
  • Recently classified invasive
  • Produces aromatic flowers year-round
  • Relatively compact and narrow canopy
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Reynosia septentrionalis
Wood is dense (hard). Listed as Threatened by the FDACS. Screen plant. Specimen shrub or small tree -- you can choose based on how you opt to prune (prune, don't shear).
  • Prefers acidic soil
  • Requires high humidity
  • Magnificent
  • Stunning and colorful while in bloom
  • Unusual deep green leaves with bronze underside
  • Striking silhouette
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Prunus umbellata
Specimen tree, street or parking lot tree.
  • Striking symmetrical appearance
  • Uncommon edible fruit
  • Cold tolerant
  • Showy creamy white flowers
  • Prominant olive crownshaft, slightly buldging
  • Swollen, succulent branches
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Ilex opaca
Both male and female plants required for pollination and seed set. Specimen tree.  Screen.
  • Fruit eaten by birds
  • Does best in warmer areas of South Florida
  • Moderately slow growth
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Eriogonum tomentosum
Rarely grown but of good potential for a dry native wildflower garden. Wildflower garden. When not flowering, the plant is a low-growing rosette of leaves that are white on the bottom. It flowers in the fall.
  • Sprawling and informal shrub
  • Arched, recurving fronds
  • Requires occassional fertalization
  • Thick branching into attractive silouttes
  • Highly salt tolerant
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Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis
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.
  • Damaged by citrus canker
  • Recently classified invasive
  • Very showy bright yellow flowers
  • Relatively compact and narrow canopy
  • Requires ample space and light
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Eryngium aquaticum
Moist wildflower garden.
  • Rapid growth
  • Stout, swollen trunk
  • Will not tolerate frost
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Symphyotrichum concolor
Benefits from controlled burns. There are contradictions in herbarium databases, and reliable observations in counties where there are no herbarium specimens. Probably native in low abundance in dry (xeric) native grasslands and open pinelands throughout the state. Makes a colorful contribution to a native plant meadow. Becomes darker (more purple) after pollination. When flowering, the stem needs support from surrounding plants. It is primarily a fall bloomer.
  • Tiered branches
  • Wind tolerant
  • Sometime grows horozontially
  • Massive stature
  • Width often exceeds height
  • Slender and elegant
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Euphorbia heterophylla
The author treats this as a friendly weed. Pull them if where there is something more desirable. Back of a wildflower garden in a casual setting. Grown en-masse, this plant can be used as a temporary groundcover.
  • Classic Southern tree
  • Rare and unique
  • Silvery blue-green fronds
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Gaylussacia mosieri
Rarely gown likely because of its need for moist sites. Shrub in an informal, moist garden and would make a good backdrop for a bog garden, or a good plant to plant along a moist woodland edge.
  • Excellent edible fruit
  • Stunning long emerald crownshaft
  • Not a true jasmine
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Zephyranthes simpsonii
Flowers tend to appear in spring or after a significant rainfall. Otherwise inconspicuous. Small wildflower or plant in with other low groundcovers. Foliage is very fine and the plant is inconspicuous except when in bloom.
  • Often draped with Spanish moss
  • Magnificent
  • Stunning and colorful while in bloom
  • Delicious edible fruit
  • Prolific fruiter
  • Does best with periodic fertalization
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Cornus foemina
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.
  • Massive stature
  • Prominant olive crownshaft, slightly buldging
  • Long-lasting year-round blooms
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Tradescantia roseolens
The cells of the stamen hairs of some Tradescantia are colored blue, but when exposed to sources of ionizing radiation such as gamma rays, the cells mutate and change color to pink; they are one of the few tissues known to serve as an effective bioassay for ambient radiation levels. Border plantings.
  • Massive stature when mature
  • Unique, sweet, almond-like flavor
  • Fast growth
  • Unique swollen blue-green to silver trunk
  • Moderately slow growth
  • Requires protection from strong winds
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Campyloneurum phyllitidis
Citrus County specimen does not come up in the FLAS database search, so the County is not included on our map. Specimen plant in moist shade gardens. Grow it on downed logs, lower trunks of cypress, or on rock. Needs to be in a moist, humid environment.
  • Pyramidal crown
  • Moderately drought tolerant
  • Medium stature
  • Wide umbrella-shaped canopy
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Aesculus pavia
Use as a specimen plant or understory tree. May be single or multi-stemmed.
  • Requires protection from strong winds
  • Unique and prized
  • Attractive blue-green to silver leaflets
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Physalis walteri
Based on BONAP maps and the ISB website, the range of Physalis walteri likely includes the entire peninsula of Florida but becomes restricted to areas close to the coast in much of the panhandle and along the east coast north of the peninsula. Mostly planted for interest in the husked fruits
  • Highly salt tolerant
  • Unique and prized
  • Underutilized
  • Available multi-stalked
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Hymenocallis latifolia
One of the authors has had this plant for years in central Florida, but she and at least some others have not seen it bloom here. Another is in north Florida, and it blooms for her. Wildflower beds. This can be a large plant and it will multiply, so give it space.
  • Somewhat salt tolerant
  • Extremely versatile
  • Stunning during brief late spring bloom
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Litsea aestivalis
Litsea aestivalis is listed as Endangered by the State of Florida.  Since that listing, the laurel wilt disease has come to Florida, and is known to kill this species.   It is likely best to plant this plant only if the stock is known to be disease free, and only if planting it is not likely to provide new hosts for the disease.  As with any Endangered species, please acquire only from reputable nurseries with appropriate licences to grown and sell this species. The documented range of this species suggests that the occurrence is sparse, but fairly broad in the northern half of Florida.  It is also a plant that is easily overlooked and that may have a wider range than that suggested by documentation from herbarium specimens given that much of its habitat has likely been eliminated by forestry practices.  It is also probably that the range is becoming sparser due to laurel wilt. Wetland areas where the goal is to attract birds.
  • Highly nutritious fruit
  • Beautiful pinwheel flowers, often multicolored
  • Cornerstone plant in South Florida