Native Plants for Florida

These native plants are useful in the landscape and are commonly available at many Florida nurseries and garden centers:

Botanic Name/Common Name
Acacia farnesiana / Sweet Acacia
Acer rubrum / Red maple
Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum / Florida sugar maple
Acoelorrhaphe wrightii / Paurotis palm
Acrostichum danaeifolium / Leather fern
Aesculus pavia / Red buckeye
Agarista populifolia / Pipestem, Fetterbush
Andropogon spp. / Bluestem and Broomsedges
Annona glabra / Pond Apple
Ardisia escallonioides / Marlberry
Aristida stricta var. beyrichiana / Wiregrass
Asclepias tuberosa / Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias perennis / Swamp Milkweed
Asimina spp. / Pawpaws
Avicennia germinans / Black Mangrove
Baccharis halimifolia / Salt Bush/ Groundsel Tree, Sea Myrtle
Bacopa spp. / Water Hyssop, Lemon Bacopa
Betula nigra / River birch
Bignonia capreolata / Cross Vine
Blechnum serrulatum / Swamp Fern
Borrichia spp. / Sea Oxeyes
Bursera simaruba / Gumbo Limbo
Callicarpa americana / Beautyberry
Calycanthus floridus / Sweetshrub
Calyptranthes pallens / Spicewood
Canna flaccida / Yellow Canna
Capparis cynophallophora / Jamacian Caper
Carpinus caroliniana / Blue Beech, Hornbeam, Musclewood
Carya aquatica / Water Hickory
Carya glabra / Pignut Hickory
Castanea pumila / Chinquapin
Celtis laevigata / Sugarberry, Hackberry
Cephalanthus occidentalis / Buttonbush
Cercis canadensis / Redbud
Chamaecyparis thyoides / Atlantic White Cedar
Chionanthus virginicus / Fringetree
Chrysobalanus icaco / Cocoplum
Chrysophyllum oliviforme / Satinleaf
Citharexylum spinosum / Fiddlewood
Cladium jamicense / Sawgrass
Clethra alnifolia / Summersweet
Coccoloba diversifolia / Pigeon Plum
Coccoloba uvifera / Seagrape
Coccothrinax argentata / Silver Palm
Conocarpus erectus / Buttonwood
Conradina spp. / Scrub Mints
Cordia sebestena / Geiger Tree
Coreopsis spp. / Tickseeds
Cornus florida / Flowering Dogwood
Cornus foemina / Swamp Dogwood
Crataegus flava / Summer Haw
Crinum americanum / String Lily
Cyrilla racemiflora / Titi
Dispyros virginiana / Persimmon
Distichlis spicata / Saltgrass
Echinacea purpurea / Purple Coneflower
Eleocharis spp. / Spikerushes
Equisetum hyemale / Horsetail, Scouring Rush
Eragrostis spp. / Lovegrass
Ernodea littoralis / Golden Creeper
Eryngium spp. / Snakeroots
Erythrina herbacea / Cherokee Bean
Eugenia spp. / Stoppers
Euonymus americanus / Strawberry Bush
Ficus aurea / Strangler Fig
Forestiera segregata / Florida Privet
Fraxinus caroliniana / Pop Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Green Ash
Gaillardia pulchella / Blanket Flower
Garberia heterophylla / Garberia
Gelsemium sempervirens / Carolina Jessamine
Gordonia lasianthus / Loblolly Bay
Hamamelis virginiana / Witch Hazel
Hamelia patens / Firebush
Helianthus spp. / Sunflowers
Hibiscus coccineus / Scarlet Hibiscus
Hydrangea quercifolia / Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hymenocallis latfolia / Spider Lily
Hypericm spp. / Saint John's Wort
Ilex cassine / Dahoon
Ilex glabra / Inkberry, Gallberry
Ilex opaca / American Holly
Ilex vomitoria / Yaupon
Ilex attenuata 'East Palatka' / East Palatka Holly
Illicium spp. / Anise
Ipomoea imperati / Beach Morning Glory
Ipomoea pes-caprae / Railroad Vine
Iris spp. / Blue Flag Iris, Prairie Blue Flag
Itea virginica / Virginia Willow
Iva spp. / Seaside Elder, Marsh Elder
Juncus effusus / Softrush
Juniperus virginiana / Red Cedar
Krugiodendron ferreum / Black Ironwood
Lachnanthes caroliniana / Redroot
Laguncularia racemosa / White Mangrove
Lantana invoucrata / Wild Sage
Liatris spp. / Blazing Stars, Gayfeathers
Licania michauxii / Gopher Apple
Liquidambar styraciflua / Sweetgum
Liriodendron tulipifera / Tulip Poplar
Lobelia cardinalis / Cardinal Flower
Lonicera sempervirens / Coral Honeysuckle
Lycium carolinianum / Christmasberry
Lyonia ferruginea / Rusty Lyonia
Lyonia lucida / Fetterbush
Lysiloma latisiliquum / Wild Tamarind
Magnolia grandiflora / Southern Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana / Sweetbay
Maulus angustifolia / Southern Crabapple
Mimosa strigillosa / Sunshine Mimosa
Morus rubra / Red Mulberry
Muhlenbergia capillaris / Muhly Grass
Myrcianthes fragrans / Simpson's Stopper
Myrica cerifera / Wax Myrtle
Nephrolepis spp. / Sword Ferns
Nymphaea odorata / Fragrant Water Lily
Nyssa spp. / Tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica / Black Gum
Osmunda cinnamomea / Cinnamon Fern
Osmunda regalis / Royal Fern
Ostrya virginiana / American Hophornbeam
Panicum spp. / Panic Grass
Paspalum spp. / Jointgrass, Knotgrass
Passiflora spp. / Passionflower
Persea spp. / Red Bays
Piloblephis rigida / Florida Pennyroyal
Pinus clausa / Sand Pine
Pinus elliotii / Slash Pine
Pinus palustris / Longleaf Pine
Pinus taeda / Loblolly Pine
Platanus occidentalis / Sycamore
Polygonum spp. / Smartweed
Pontederia cordata / Pickerelweed
Prunus angustifolia / Chickasaw Plum
Prunus caroliniana / Cherry Laurel
Psychotria nervosa / Wild Coffee
Quercus alba / White Oak
Quercus hemisphaerica / Laurel Oak
Quercus laevis / Turkey Oak
Quercus laurifolia / Laurel Oak
Quercus myrtifolia / Myrtle Oak
Quercus nigra / Water Oak
Quercus shumardii / Shumard Oak
Quercus virginiana / Live Oak
Randia aculeata / White Indianberry
Rapanea punctata / Myrsine
Rhapidophyllum hystrix / Needle Palm
Rhizophora mangle / Red Mangrove
Rhododendron austrinum / Florida Azalea
Rhododendron canescens / Pinxter Azalea
Rhus copallinum / Winged Sumac
Roystonea regia / Royal Palm
Rudbeckia hirta / Black-eyed Susan
Ruellia caroliniensis / Wild Petunia
Sabal etonia / Scrub Palmetto
Sabal minor / Blue-Stem Palmetto
Sabal palmetto / Cabbage Palm
Sagittaria spp. / Arrowhead
Salix spp. / Willow
Salvia coccinea / Tropical Sage
Sassafras albidum / Sassafras
Saururus cernuus / Lizard's Tail
Scirpus spp. / Bulrush
Serenoa repens / Saw Palmetto
Sesuvium portulacastrum / Sea Purslane
Sideroxylon foetidissimum / Mastic
Sideroxylon salidifolium / Willow Bustic
Sideroxylon tenax / Tough Buckthorn
Solidago spp. / Goldenrod
Sophora tomentosa / Necklace Pod
Sorghastrum secundum / Lopsided Indiangrass
Spartina alterniflora / Smooth Cordgrass
Spartina bakeri / Sand Cordgrass
Spartina patens / Saltmeadow Cordgrass
Sporobolus virginicus / Seashore Dropseed
Stokesia laevis / Stokes' Aster
Styrax americanus / Snowbell
Suriana maritima / Bay Cedar
Swietenia mahogoni / Mahogany
Symphyotrichum carolinianum / Climbing Aster
Taxodium distichum / Bald Cypress
Thalia geniculata / Alligator Flag
Thrinax morrisii / Brittle Thatch Palm
Thrinax radiata / Florida Thatch Palm
Tripsacum dactyloides / Eastern Gamagrass
Ulmus alata / Winged Elm
Ulmus americana / American Elm
Ulmus crassifolia / Cedar Elm
Uniola paniculata / Sea Oats
Vaccinium arboreum / Sparkleberry
Vaccinium spp. / Blueberries
Viburnum dentatum / Arrowwood
Viburnum obovatum / Walter's Viburnum
Woodwardia spp. / Chain Fern
Yucca aloifolia / Spanish Bayonet
Yucca filamentosa / Adam's Needle, Beargrass
Zamia pumila / Coontie
Zanothoxylum fagara / Wild Lime
Zephyranthes atamasco / Rain Lily
Zizaniopsis miliacea / Giant Cutgrass

Fire Risk Reduction Landscape Zones

Landscapes in moderate to extreme fire risk areas need to have a zoned landscape to protect people and structures from the risks posed by wildfire.

Zone 1: Defensible Space

Zone 2: Fuel Reduction

Zone 3: Transition Zone

Zone 4: Perimeter Fuel Management

(to be continued)

Florida Landscape Fire Risk Assessment

Many of Florida's natural ecosystems have evolved in association with fire. Some, such as pine flatwoods, require fire to maintain their habitat. Fire occurs with greater frequency in some ecosystems more than others. Below is a quick screening tool to determine fire risk in Florida.

Low Risk:

• A clear view through the undeveloped area
• Bare ground or few plants growing low to the ground
• Improved pasture or widely spaced grassy clumps or plants
• Scattered palmettos or shrubs up to 3 feet tall separated by patches of grass or sand
• Grasses to 4 feet tall (except Cogongrass)
• Continuous thin layer of pine needles under scattered pine trees
• Large trees, or mostly broadleaf trees
• Oak leaves or broad leaves covering the ground
• Moist forest or hardwood swamp

Medium Risk:

• A clear view above the shrubs into the undeveloped area
• Continuous thick layer of pine needles and scattered pine trees
• Grasses 4-6 feet tall (or Cogongrass)
• Palmetto or gallberry (Ilex glabra) 3 to 6 feet tall with scattered pine trees
• Scrub vegetation less than 6 feet tall with or without sand pine
• Dense, young pine trees 20 to 60 feet tall
• Cypress swamp

High Risk:

• No clear view into the undeveloped area because of dense growth
• Thick, continuous grasses, weeds, or shrubs more than 3 feet tall
• Palmetto/Gallberry over 6 feet tall with scattered pine trees
• Palmetto/Gallberry 3 to 6 feet tall with a dense pine canopy (75% crown closure)
• Thick vines growing up trees
• Medium-size trees or cabbage palms beneath taller pine trees
• Impenetrable shrubs or young pines
• Scrub vegetation over 6 feet tall, with or without sand pine

Extreme Risk:

• Palmetto/Gallberry over 6 feet tall with dense pine canopy
• Sand pine scrub with dense pine canopy
• Dense Melaleuca

Source: Florida Department of Community Affairs (2004). Wildfire mitigation in Florida. http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/DCP/hazardmitigation/pubs.htm

Southern Magnolia - Magnolia grandiflora

Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora



The Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is grown for its intoxicating and showy white flowers and handsome, glossy evergreen foliage. It is a large, stately evergreen tree that is useful in defining the edges of larger landscapes and can be used as a specimen. The large, leathery leaves are slow to decompose and it is hard to grow other plants underneath Southern Magnolias. Plants are drought tolerant once established but trees growing in urban environments where they get reflected heat from pavement or buildings may require supplemental water.

Plant Characteristics

Height: 30 to 100 feet
Spread: 20 to 50 feet

Native Range: Native to woodlands and wet hardwood hammocks throughout north and central Florida.
Leaves: Large leathery leaves that are dark green and glossy. Some plants have cinnamon-colored undersides of the leaves that are attractive to showy.
Flowers: White flowers to 12 inches across. Fragrant.
Fruit: Red seeds are showy in the Autumn and occur on fuzzy brown cone-like structures. Birds eat the seeds.
Bark: Southern Magnolias have smooth gray bark.

Culture

Soil: Prefers rich moist soil with a pH range between 4.5-6.5. Tolerates some salt.
Water: Prefers well-drained, moist sites. Survives in most situations without supplemental moisture.
Exposure: Full sun is best. Tolerates part-shade. Does not grow well in deep shade.
Pests: Scale and Mealybugs

Additional Information:
There are several different cultivated varieties available in Florida nurseries.

Live Oak Native Plant Community List

The following native plants make up the Live Oak (Quercus viginiana) plant community in Florida:

• Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
  
• Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
  
• Wild Olive (Osmanthus americanus)
  
• Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
  
• Red Bay (Persea borbonia)
  
• Lancewood (Ocotea coriacea)
  
• Pigeon Plum (Coccoloba diversifolia)
  
• Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba)
  
• Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata)
  
• Basswood (Tilia americana)
  
• Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana)
  
• Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
  
• Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
  
• American Holly (Ilex opaca)
  
• American Hophornbeam (Ostraya virginiana)
  
• Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
  
• Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)
  
• Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)
  
• Other Oak species (Quercus spp.)
  

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) - Majestic garden or street tree

Live Oak
Quercus virginiana

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) is a massive, spreading evergreen tree with a short, stocky trunk and massive horizontal branches. The broad, spreading crown is majestic and sculptural. Long-lived and resists wind damage from hurricanes. Moderate growth rate when young; slows down as the tree grows in size.

Uses: Use Live Oak as a shade or specimen tree for large spaces. It can be used in large residential gardens, but is more frequently used in public landscapes. Use in parks, golf courses, school campuses and as a street tree. Tolerates parking lot conditions.
Height: 40 to 80 feet
Spread: 60 to 130 feet
Native Habitat: Live Oak is found in a wide variety of habitats and ecosystems in the state of Florida. It grows statewide and succeeds inland and along the coast. The largest trees grow in wet hardwood hammocks.

Plant Characteristics

Flowers: Inconspicuous. Not grown for its flowers.
Leaves: Leaves are alternate and dark green on the upper surface and lighter in color on the reverse. The leathery leaves grow from 1 to 5 inches long. Evergreen.
Fruit: Acorn. Acorns usually occur in clusters of 2 to 5. The cap covers 1/3rd of the acorn.
Bark: Mature trees have dark gray bark with vertical fissures. Young trees have light gray bark.

Culture

Soil: Does best in moist, fertile soils and prefers a pH between 4.5 to 6.5 but will tolerate moderately alkaline soil. Tolerates salt spray and does well near the coast.
Water: Drought tolerant. Performs best in well-drained soils but will tolerate most wet soils.
Exposure: Full sun.
Hardiness Zones: USDA Zone 8-11
Life Span: Matures trees can live over 300 years.

Additional Information: The pollen can cause allergic reactions in some people. Acorns are a great food source for wildlife. Spanish moss is frequently found growing on the branches.