Plant Profiles

Marsh-pink

Marsh-pink (Sabatia grandiflora) is found in mesic pine flatwoods and wet prairies throughout Florida. It is almost endemic, occurring in only one county in Alabama outside of the state of Florida.

Maryland goldenaster

Maryland goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana) found in pinelands, sandhills and sandy roadsides. Native butterflies, as well as a variety of native long-tongued bees are attracted to the plant’s nectar.

Also known as Yellow pricklypoppy, Mexican pricklypoppy (Argemone mexicana) is an eye-catching wildflower with an imposing presence. Its brilliant blooms are quite attractive, but don’t get too close — the rest of the plant is armed with sharp spines. It blooms winter through summer, typically peaking in early spring and drawing a variety of pollinators. The plant is often spotted in open, disturbed sites and along roadsides throughout much of Florida.

Mistflower

Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) gives the appearance of a blue fog when blooming en masse. Its flowers are very attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies, moths and long-tongued bees.

Mock bishopsweed

Mock bishopsweed (Ptilimnium capillaceum) is a delicate little annual that is too often disregarded as a weed. But despite its small stature, it is both attractive and ecologically beneficial.

Mountain laurel

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) puts on a spectacular springtime display. Its flowers attract bees and its dense foliage provides cover for birds and small mammals.

Muhlygrass

Nothing says fall in Florida like the purple haze of Hairyawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) in bloom. When planted en masse, this perennial bunchgrass puts on a spectacular fall display.

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.

Narrowleaf sunflower

Narrowleaf sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) is one of Florida’s most common sunflowers. In nature, it forms dense colonies, resulting in spectacular swaths of sunshine yellow when in bloom.

Narrowleaf yellowtops

Narrowleaf yellowtops (Flaveria linerias) produces many bright yellow flowers that are attractive to a plethora of butterflies, bees and flower beetles.

Netted pawpaw

Netted pawpaw (Asimina reticulata) blooms late winter through spring, producing many flowers that are pollinated primarily by flies and beetles. It is a larval host for the Zebra swallowtail and Pawpaw sphinx moth.

Nightflowering wild petunia

As the name suggests, Nightflowering wild petunia (Ruellia noctiflora) is a night-blooming wildflower whose flowers open around dusk then shrivel and drop by mid-morning the next day. The bloom’s nectaries are located at the base of a 3″ long flower tube requiring a special pollinator whose tongue is long enough to reach in and take a sip! The pollinators that fit this bill are sphinx moths (family Sphingidae). These nocturnal moths are attracted by the petunia’s large white flowers.

Oak mistletoe

Although it grows year-round, winter is the easiest time to spot Oak mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) as its evergreen leaves stand out amongst the leafless deciduous trees it inhabits. (And yes, this is the very same plant associated with the amorous holiday kissing tradition.)

Oakleaf fleabane

Also known as Southern fleabane and Daisy fleabane, Oakleaf fleabane (Erigeron quercifolius) is a delicate, short-lived perennial wildflower. It typically blooms in spring and summer and attracts a variety of pollinators. It occurs naturally in sandhills and moist hammocks as well as in disturbed sites and along roadsides.

Oblongleaf twinflower

If you are tired of mowing, watering and fertilizing the lawn, consider replacing your turf grass with Oblongleaf twinflower (Dyschoriste oblongifolia), an easy-to-care-for native groundcover.

October flower

October flower (Polygonum polygamum) is a subshrub found in sandhill, scrub and scrubby flatwoods throughout much of Florida. For most of the year, it is a rather understated plant. But in late summer and fall — particularly October — it is covered in a profusion of snowy white blooms. These small but prolific flowers are especially attractive to native bees.