Shade tree. Screen along wetland edges. Street tree for use in parking lots and median strips. Many acres have been planted to attract bees for honey production.

Multiple species are native to Florida.  Most are attractive and many are easy to grow.  This is a catch-all for species not listed individually.  Please choose those that are appropriate for your area. Wildflower garden. All the species listed should grow well in garden settings. They are all grown for their showy flowers (most are yellow, though we do have one with small dark red ray flowers).

Based on the BONAP range map, this species is a "near endemic" -- it occurs only in the panhandle and a 3 counties in southern Alabama. At this time, the Florida Plant Atlas shows two outlying collections.  One (Alachua County) appears to have been removed by the herbarium that "has" the specimen, the other (St. Lucie County) is a 1980 literature citation with apparently no specimen.   Neither is shown on our map. Bog gardens, sunny areas with moist soil.  Only likely to be noticed when blooming.

It's quite hardy and tolerant of difficult environments. The herbarium specimen from Wakulla County is from a natural area.  It is a 2012 specimen and could represent a range expansion. Hedge or screen plant. Can be used on the edges of parking lots. Fairly narrow in form.

Depending on the weather, this may be either an annual or perennial in Florida. Informal gardens in wet sites.

Low ground-hugging ground cover in restoration areas, in ditches, and on wetland edges.

Meadow or wildflower garden.

Specimen plant, screen plantings, sometimes with unusual or weeping form.

There are three subspecies included in this description.  Together, they are found in all coastal counties of Florida and many inland ones.  As a grass, it is likely undercollected and it has likely been excluded by many agricultural practices, so at least one of these subspecies is potentially native throughout Florida.  Muhlenbergia capillaris var. capillaris is the subspecies that is most commonly available from nurseries. Hedge, specimen plant, mass planting

Informal landscapes. Its growth form is to be scrambling in a thicket or climbing as a sprawlingg vine. Habitat restoration.

While generally a swamp plant, this tree can grow in uplands.  Stems root readily and most of the stems stuck in a moist substrate will survive without any further care. Is often used in stream bank restoration. Casual lanscapes, moist areas, rain gardens or bioswales. This tree can be attractive most of the year due to its fairly fine leaves. It is at its best for a brief period in early spring when it blooms (yellow) and then sets masses of white fruit at a time when little else is blooming. Will tolerate root disturbance and flooding.

Tolerates winter flooding. This is a wetland plant. It is rarely grown, but it has potential in appropriate sites. Wet wildflower garden. For appearance, cut back to the ground in winter.

This species can be distinguished from related non-natives by its trailing stems and lance-shaped leaves. Stachytarpheta urticifolia, commonly sold by non-native nurseries, is native to tropical Asia. It has an erect growth habit. Groundcover or in a meadow.

Three species occur in Florida. Please plant your local variety. Wildflower garden where it is very showy in late summer/early fall.

This species is rare and listed as endangered by the State of Florida. It is endemic to several counties along the northeast coast of Florida. Please acquire only from reputable sources. Wildflower garden

This species is listed as invasive in parts of the world where it is not native. Water garden, planting of surface water management pond. Often used as an aquarium plant.

Retain in the landscape for coastal protection where present. Used for dune restoration.

The species is hermaphroditic (monecious), meaning flowers have both male and female reproductive structures on the same plant. This is a near-endemic meaning that it occurs mostly in Florida with a few outlying populations in Georgia and South Carolina. Moist wildflower gardens.