News
Latest from us
Remembering Anne MacKay
We remember Anne MacKay, founding board member and former chair. A passionate advocate, artist and mentor, Anne’s warmth, generosity and dedication to Florida’s native wildflowers shaped the Foundation’s early years and continues to inspire future conservation leaders.
Lopsided indiangrass
Lopsided indiangrass (Sorghastrum secundum) is a robust perennial bunchgrass that occurs in pinelands, sandhills and flatwoods. Throughout most of the year, it is rather indistinct. But in late summer, it produces tall, dramatic flower spikes.
Bloom Report: False Foxglove — A Parasite?!
False foxglove (Agalins spp.) is hemi-parasitic! These showy, fall-blooming wildflowers tap into other plants for some of their nutrients but also have green tissue that produces their own sugars through photosynthesis.
Great southern white
Like many Floridians, Great southern white butterflies love spending warm, sunny days at the beach — and some of them even get a tan in the summer!
Climate Change and Florida’s Native Plants
From the Apalachicola River Basin to the Lake Wales Ridge and into the Everglades, Florida has many unique plant communities. How each of these ecosystems will respond to a rapidly changing climate is likely to be as unique as those environments themselves.
Wild coco
Wild coco (Eulophia alta) is a terrestrial orchid found in hydric hammocks, hardwood swamps, wet flatwoods, marshes and open disturbed sites in Central and South Florida.
25 Years of Wildflowers on the Road!
In June 2025, we celebrate 25 years of the State Wildflower license plate supporting wildflowers and wildlife across Florida! With more than 35,000 plates on the road, we are thankful for everyone who has helped us drive our mission forward.
Narrowleaf silkgrass
Narrowleaf silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia) blooms late summer through early winter in sandhill, flatwoods and scrub habitats throughout the state. It has brilliant yellow flowers and silvery leaves.
Gulf County Public Library at Port St. Joe Native Plant Garden
The Gulf County Public Library at Port St. Joe was selected to pilot the Seeds of Knowledge Library Demonstration Garden Grant in spring 2025
Hernando County Library Native Plant Garden
The Hernando County Public Library in Brooksville was selected to pilot the Seeds of Knowledge Library Demonstration Garden Grant in spring 2025
White indigoberry
White indigoberry ( Randia aculeata) is an evergreen flowering shrub or small tree found in pine rocklands and coastal strands and hammocks in Central and South Florida.
Fort White Branch Library Native Plant Garden
The Fort White Branch Library in Columbia County was selected to pilot the Seeds of Knowledge Library Demonstration Garden Grant in spring 2025.
Bay County Public Library Native Plant Garden
The Bay County Public Library was selected to pilot the Seeds of Knowledge Library Demonstration Garden Grant in spring 2025
Florida paintbrush
Florida paintbrush (Carphephorus corymbosus) blooms from mid-summer into fall, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. It occurs naturally in sandhills, pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, mesic flatwoods and ruderal areas.
City of Tavares Public Library Native Plant Garden
The City of Tavares Public Library in Lake County was selected to pilot the Seeds of Knowledge Library Demonstration Garden Grant in spring 2025
Firebush
Firebush (Hamelia patens var. patens) is a hardy shrub to small tree. It produces clusters of bright orange to red tubular flowers that are filled with nectar, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Grassleaf coneflower
Grassleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia graminifolia) has brick-red solitary flowers that bloom in summer. It is endemic to the Florida Panhandle and occurs naturally in wet savannas.
Wild petunia
Wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) typically blooms late spring through early fall, attracting a variety of pollinators. It is also a host plant for the White peacock butterfly.
Moonflower
Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) occurs naturally along the margins of wet to moist hardwood hammocks, mangrove forests and swamps. Its night blooming flowers attract and are pollinated by moths.
Rosy camphorweed
Rosy camphorweed (Pluchea baccharis) is a summer-blooming wildflower found in wet habitats throughout Florida. Its pink flowers are particularly attractive to small butterflies, bees and other dainty pollinators.
Joe Pye weed
Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium fistulosum) is a robust summer-blooming wildflower that attracts a wide variety of pollinators and is a favorite of butterflies. The seeds are consumed by small birds.
Tall ironweed
Tall ironweed (Vernonia angustifolia) is a robust perennial wildflower that blooms in summer and fall, attracting a variety of pollinators, especially butterflies.
Red-spotted purple
Contrary to its name, the Red-spotted purple is neither red nor purple, but a vibrant shade of blue! This butterfly is common throughout the southeastern United States.
WEBINAR – The Flora of the Southeastern United States project: Flora apps and tools for better botany
Scott Ward, Research Botanist at North Carolina Botanical Garden and NCU Herbarium, presents “The Flora of the Southeastern United States (FSUS) project: Flora apps and tools for better botany”.