WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: TOOTHPETAL FALSE REINORCHID; MIGNONETTE ORCHID (Habenaria floribunda)
New to my home acre native species list. Thanks to the bird, mammal or wind that planted this…it was a nice surprise.
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Habenaria
Learn: https://flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-habenaria-floribunda/
Where does it grow in Florida? https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=799
Leaves:
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?™
Friday Focus on Fruit: Florida Native Plant MUSCADINE {GRAPE} (Vitis rotundifolia)
Looks like it is time to kick my shoes off and jump into the vat.
Quick growing deciduous vine that will cover a fence (and anything else in its path). It is very aggressive, but provides for wildlife in the form of food and EXCELLENT cover, so worth the effort to keep it in check. Can be used to make wreaths. Dioecious so you’ll need both male and female plants to produce fruit.
Berries contain several seeds so while tasty, they do require some effort (see how far you can spit the seeds). Better for use in jelly or wine.
Bloom photo: https://whatfloridanativeplantisbloomingtoday.wordpress.com/2014/05/11/muscadine-grape-vitis-rotundifolia-2/
Learn: http://www.fgga.org/growing-muscadine-grapes-in-florida/
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Vitis+rotundifolia
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2026
My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2019/03/02/the-good-in-grapevines/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: ELLIOTT’S MILKPEA (Galactia elliottii)
delicate, sprawling vine
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/galactia-elliottii
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Galactia
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3222
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: WINGED LOOSESTRIFE (Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum)
Likes it moist/wet. Loved by bees and other pollinators; hummingbirds.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/lythrum-alatum-var-lanceolatum
Larval host: Psyche casta (bagworm moth)
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Lythrum+alatum
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3282
My take: http://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2016/08/03/winging-it-for-pollinators/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: WILD COFFEE (Psychotria nervosa)
Beautiful shrub which attracts pollinators such as the Exotic European Honeybee (Apis mellifera) shown. Birds will feast on the resulting red fruits. Said to be a Larval host for the Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth (Pyrausta tyralis) but I have yet to find any caterpillars on this species.
Learn: http://fnps.org/plants/plant/psychotria-nervosa
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2811
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: PURPLE PASSIONFLOWER (Passiflora incarnata)
First Bloom of the 2020 season!
Also called Maypop (appropriately) and passionvine. A deciduous vine that climbs by tendrils. Can spread by underground runners far from initial planting, so not for every garden situation.
Larval host plant for Gulf Fritillary Butterfly (Agraulis vanillae), Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia), Variegated fritillary (Euptoieta claudia). Fruits edible by mammals, including humans.
Learn: http://fnps.org/plants/plant/passiflora-incarnata
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Passiflora+incarnata
Where does it grow in Florida? https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3464
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: WILD LIME; LIME PRICKLYASH (Zanthoxylum fagara)
Pretty aromatic tree. Watch the thorns! Provides cover for fauna, fruits eaten by wildlife.
Larval host: Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) and Schaus’ Swallowtail (Heraclides aristodemus) (in range)
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/zanthoxylum-fagara
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Zanthoxylum+fagara
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2804
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?:
Friday Focus on Fruit: Florida Native Plant BLACKBERRY (Rubus spp.)
CAREFUL! Thorns!
Pollinators and other Insects are drawn to the flowers, juicy berries are a favorite among birds, reptiles, insects and mammals, including me. Rabbits browse leaves as do some insects. Excellent cover.
Learn: http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/plants/Blackberry/index.html
Learn more: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag238
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Rubus
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2256
More photos:
SAWTOOTH BLACKBERRY; PENNSYLVANIA BLACKBERRY (Rubus pensilvanicus)
SAWTOOTH BLACKBERRY; PENNSYLVANIA BLACKBERRY (Rubus pensilvanicus)
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: MEADOWBEAUTY (Rhexia sp.)
There are several different Rhexia species in Florida.
Possible host for Rufous Geometer Moth (Xanthotype rufaria) source: http://www.plumemoth.com/HabeckGeometridaePublished.pdf
Learn: http://fnps.org/plants/plant/rhexia-spp
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Rhexia
Where does it grow in Florida?: http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Genus.aspx?id=1045
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?:
Friday Focus on Fruit: Florida Native Plant CAROLINA CRANESBILL (Geranium carolinianum)
Photo depicts the seeds (fruit) of this Florida native. As you can see, it gets the common name from the look of the seed pods . A spring groundcover.
Annual. Flowers can appear pink or white depending on age. Photos of flowers: https://whatfloridanativeplantisbloomingtoday.wordpress.com/2019/03/23/carolina-cranesbill-geranium-carolinianum-4/
Learn: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=geca5
Feeds deer, small mammals and birds, especially mourning doves and northern bobwhite.
Learn: https://web.archive.org/web/20071027231255/http://wildflowers.jdcc.edu/Carolina_Geranium.html
seeds are reported to have astringent, febrifuge, diuretic and nephritic properties (source: https://web.archive.org/web/20090803122522/http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fw017)
Said to be edible but bitter: http://www.eattheweeds.com/erodium-circutarium-geranium-carolinianum-two-bills-you-want-to-get-2/
Interesting time lapse information on pollination of this plant: http://naturedocumentaries.org/3046/geranium-pollination/
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Geranium
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3848
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: BLACKROOT (Pterocaulon pycnostachyum)
Big with Butterflies for nectar.
Learn: https://regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/PD_PFriendly.asp?tx=Pterpycn
Larval host: Everlasting Bud Moth (Eublemma minima) (source: http://web.archive.org/web/20100618140142/http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/GardenPubsAZ/Blackroot_Pterocaulon_pycnostachyum.pdf)
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Pterocaulon
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2041
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: SAW PALMETTO (Serenoa repens)
Shrub.
Excellent nectar/pollen for pollinators; Outstanding cover for wildlife, fruits enjoyed by birds and mammals.
most popular herbal treatment for enlargement of the prostate: http://web.archive.org/web/20130308082251/http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/saw-palmetto/NS_patient-sawpalmetto
Mayo Clinic has since updated information: “Studies on herbal therapies as a treatment for enlarged prostate have had mixed results. One study found that saw palmetto extract was as effective as finasteride in relieving symptoms of BPH, although prostate volumes weren’t reduced. But a subsequent placebo-controlled trial found no evidence that saw palmetto is better than a placebo.”
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2664
Larval Host: Palmetto Skipper (Euphyes arpa); Monk (Asbolis capucinus)
Learn: http://regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Sererepe
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Serenoa+repens
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: SOUTHERN BAYBERRY; WAX MYRTLE (Morella cerifera)
syn. Myrica cerifera
This shrub is a Dioecious plant, meaning that male and female reproductive structures are found on different plants, so you need at least two (one of each type) to have fruit production. This is one of the more beneficial plants to wildlife. The berries feed numerous species including bobwhites and wild turkey. It is a host plant for countless moth caterpillars. Cover and nesting site for many species as well.
Learn: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/morcer/all.html
Learn more: https://web.archive.org/web/20170630100034/http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/GardenPubsAZ/wax_myrtle.pdf
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3942
Many Ethnobotanical uses including as a dye and insect repellent.
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Morella+cerifera
My Take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2017/02/08/wildly-wonderous-wax-myrtle/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: HELMET SKULLCAP (Scutellaria integrifolia)
Spring bloomer. Readily reseeds and has now propagated from outside the fence alongside the culvert and appeared in my yard.
Learn: http://fnps.org/plants/plant/scutellaria-integrifolia
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Scutellaria
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3494
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: CHICKASAW PLUM (Prunus angustifolia)
tree/shrub. Flowers, which generally appear before leaves are great for pollinators; fruits feed birds/mammals. This is one I added to my landscape.
Took quite a beating from Hurricane Irma in 2017, which included getting uprooted from the ground. Seems it is still holding its own.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/prunus-angustifolia
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Prunus+angustifolia
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3855
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?:
Friday Focus on Fruit: Florida Native Plant GRASSLEAF LETTUCE (Lactuca graminifolia)
Photo depicts the seeds (fruit) of this Florida native.
host for NATIVE BEES: Dianthidium floridiense and Halictus ligatus (according to Archbold Station)
Learn: http://journals.fcla.edu/mundi/article/view/24996/24327
Good for pollinators. cant find definitive answer re edibility other than most L. spp. are bitter.
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=lactuca
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3166
Photos of buds and blooms: https://whatfloridanativeplantisbloomingtoday.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/grassleaf-lettuce-lactuca-graminifolia-3/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: ROUNDPOD ST. JOHN’S-WORT (Hypericum cistifolium)
This species of Hypericum I actually think is prettiest when the flowers fade. The seed pods are a beautiful rusty-red color that in contrast with the green leaves gives a showy display. Frequented by pollinators. This is one of the many native St. John’s-wort that call Florida home.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/hypericum-cistifolium
Note that the species used in the commercially available supplements is not native.
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=hypericum
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1028
My take: http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/depressed-try-st-johns-wort-in-your-garden/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?™: DAHOON (Holly) Ilex cassine
Beautiful, versatile, dioecious tree. Be sure to have a nearby male in order for the female to produce the stunning red berries. Makes a great specimen.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/ilex-cassine
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Ilex+cassine
Attracts Pollinators. multiple bird species feast on the berries throughout winter and into spring.
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3866
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: PURPLE THISTLE; HORRID THISTLE (Cirsium horridulum)
New to my home species list. Thanks to the bird, mammal or wind that planted this…it was a nice surprise.
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Cirsium+horridulum
Larval Host: Little Metalmark Butterfly; Ive seen other notations that Cirsium spp. may be a host for the Painted lady Butterfly as well.
Learn: https://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/cirsium-horridulum
Learn more: https://regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/PD_PFriendly.asp?tx=Cirshorr
Where does it grow in Florida? https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3210
Included in an article “native edibles for salads” (Palmetto 1992)
Thistles can be a playground of biodiversity:
My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2018/05/09/the-biodiversity-of-a-single-native-plant/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: SWAMP BAY (Persea palustris)
Aromatic leaves. Larval host: Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio palamedes), Spicebush Swallowtail (P. troilus) and Schaus Swallowtail (P. aristodemus) also host to Redbay Psyllid (Trioza magnoliae).
Prone to Laurel Wilt Disease which is causing dieoff of this beautiful species.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/persea-palustris
Where does it grow in Florida?: http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2064
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=persea+palustris
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What Florida Native Plant Is Blooming Today?™ 