Small to medium tree often with somewhat scruffy form. Retain in a natural setting if present.

Background shrub.

Shade tree. Forest tree.

Multistemmed shrub that can form small thickets. Plant as a screen, hedge, or background plant.

This fern is listed as Threatened by the FDACS.  Where is it, however, it is highly robust. Borders, groundcover on wooded edges. This is a very tall fern, so best planted toward the back of a garden.

This is listed as an ENDANGERED by the State of Florida An excellent accent shrub or small tree with open, spreading crown. Attractive fine textured, thin leaves and long, hanging spikes of flowers. Dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants.

Compound leaf has "wings" of tissue along the leaf-stem (rachis). This is one of the few shrubs that produces brilliant red fall color in much of Florida.

Endemic to the sand ridges of  central and northern peninsular Florida. Forms a thicket with many sprouts from  underground stems.

It is difficult to know the native range of this plant in Florida as it has been widely planted on roadsides across much of the state at least since the 1700s. Cultivated flower beds, roadside wildflower plantings, wildflower garden. Typically grown as an annual though some plants may persist for several years.

Interesting red stems. Makes a good specimen plant in an informal garden. Weedy in appearance if in large numbers and stems tend to split when branches get too heavy or in high winds. Interesting red stems. Makes a good specimen plant in an informal garden. Weedy in appearance if in large numbers.

Small specimen tree. Can also work as an understory tree.

Typically not used in landscape settings. However, if appropriate management can be provided (fire), then seed-bearing plants have considerable landscape value; non-seed-bearing plants are good groundcover. For an interesting article on this plant see the Florida Wildflower Foundation blog. Restoration areas. Naturalistic landscapes.