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.

This is a wetland plant. It is rarely grown, but it has potential in appropriate sites. Specimen plant or background screen for wet places.

Natural areas with some trees and vines for support

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).

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.

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.

Informal shady semi-shady gardens.

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.

The tuber of this plant is edible and very crisp; it adds texture to salads.  The tuber has a segmented appearance reminiscent of a rattlesnake tail. This plant can be mowed and used in a "freedom lawn" but be aware that it spreads.  The plant was considered to be a Florida endemic but began to spread in the 1940s and 1950s.  It is known as an aggressive weed in most areas outside of Florida. In a meadow, where its aggressiveness is an asset. Can be a low maintenance roadside plant. Difficult to recommend for most landscape uses.

Very easily grown. Flowers are fairly small but very numerous. Plant on a trellis or fence.

Specimen shrub. Fine foliage. Does well adjacent to structures or woods.

This plant is considered to be Threatened in Florida. Please preserve in the landscape and acquire new plants in an environmentally sound manner (seed or nursery-grown plants). Good as a buffer plant. Could be used as an informal hedge.

Small specimen plant in wet areas.  Does well in bog gardens and rain gardens or bioswales.

Rear of garden as a screen.  Native meadows.

Wildflower garden, groundcover

Edible, very hot fruits

Specimen tree.

Wind pollinated.  Dioecious.  According to Huegel (2010), the flowers attract insects. Plant tree in areas where fallen fruit will not be an issue.

The herbarium specimen from Polk County almost certainly has a wrong location.  Lithia is in Hillsborough County and the most likely translation of a wrongly written latitude and longitude is also in Hillsborough County -- but the exact location would have been agricultural in 1962. Hedges, back borders. Blooms in summer.

The wood is weak. Shade tree. Semi-evergreen with leaves falling just before new leaves emerge.

Trellis or fence