Although palm-like in appearance, this is a cycad, a primitive group of non-flowering plants. It is listed as commercially exploited by the state of F , Tolerance, Tolerant of inundation with brackish water Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Grows slowly. Seeds, foliage, and roots are toxic. , Habitat, Upland hardwood forests, high pine, coastal hammocks, shell middens. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage Larval host for the rare atala butterfly (Eumaeus atala florida) which is restricted to South Florida and the echo moth (Sierarct

Further north, this can be a moderately large tree. Not typically grown but worth retaining if present as an understory tree. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Has a shallow root system that may prevent plants from growing under it. , Wildlife, Fruits are eaten by a number of birds and small mammals. , Did You Know?, Larval host for hackberry emperor (Asterocampa celtis), and mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) butterflies. Sole larval host plant for American snout

Three subspecies occur in Florida.  The subspecies ranges somewhat overlap.  Subspecies cruiseana is listed as Endangered by the State of Florida. In , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without i , Considertions, Becomes less than attractive after flowering. , Wildlife, Primarily wind dispersed, but small birds consume seed. , Habitat, Scrub, sandhills. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Butterflies and bees including green metallic, sweat, leafcutter, bumble and mining bees (Florida Wildflower Foundation).

Listed as endangered in Florida. Please acquire from appropriate sources. Large tree or small shrub. Buffer planting or specimen tree. , 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, Seeds. Can become a weed. , Wildlife, Birds and other small wildlife consume seed. , Habitat, Rockland hammocks and understory of pine rocklands. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage Pollinated by bees (http://tropical.theferns.info/).

Host plant for Zestos Skipper butterfly which is believed to be extirpated (extinct) in FLorida. Also used by Cassius blue, longtailed skipper, and Za , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Scrambling vine likely best suited to informal settings. Individual stems may be up to 10 ft long. , Habitat, Hammocks , Did You Know?, Larval host plant for cassius blue (Leptotes cassius), long-tailed skipper (Urbanus proteus), zestos skipper (Epargyreus zestos) and zarucco duskywing