Panhandle Wildflowers
The Panhandle’s plentiful public lands and rural roadsides make it a wonderful place to see wildflowers. Learn what’s blooming and where with this helpful brochure.
Welcome Baker’s tickseed
Coreopsis bakeri has gone undetected for years because of its resemblance to our common Lanceleaf tickseed ( Coreopsis lanceolata). It is has been isolated long enough to have become a distinct species.
How hurricane winds help move plants
What did Hurricane Irma’s high winds mean to the spreading of plants? Will we see more plant movement as a result? The answers depend on a variety of factors.
White twinevine
White twinevine (Funastrum clausum) is a larval host plant for Monarch, Queen and Soldier butterflies and an important nectar source for bees and wasps.
Fringed bluestar
Fringed bluestar (Amsonia ciliata) blooms spring through fall, attracting many pollinators, especially butterflies. It occurs naturally in pine flatwoods, sandhills and scrub throughout west Central Florida and North Florida.
Oak hairstreak butterfly
You might not see very much of the Oak hairstreak butterfly, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t around. They are usually just hanging out in the trees above your head!
Gulf fritillary
The Gulf fritillary is sometimes known as the Passion butterfly — so named because of its ardor for Passionflower. You will find so much to love about this unique pollinator!
Silver-spotted skipper
You might find one of these creatures hanging upside-down, but it’s not a bat (or a vampire). It’s a Silver-spotted skipper!
Foundation awards 5 Viva Florida grants
Five grants were awarded in 2020: Cutting Horse Eco-Center, Bonita Springs (Lee County); Folly Farm Nature Preserve, Safety Harbor (Pinellas County); Orange County UF/IFAS Extension, Orlando; Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens (St. Lucie County); and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (Lee County).
Member profile: Jeff Weber
Get to know Florida Wildflower Foundation member Jeff Weber. Jeff is dedicated to protecting and restoring Florida’s natural ecology in his free time and in his as an environmental specialist with Sarasota County Parks.
Fall news from PWA counties
The Panhandle Wildflower Alliance’s Fall 2020 newsletter features updates about new wildflower programs, where to see wildflowers in bloom, and much more.
Bloom Report: Native grasses shine in the fall
Florida has many native grasses — and most of our showiest grasses bloom in the fall. The best places to see them are rural areas and roadsides, and in natural lands like national and state forests.