TALL YELLOWEYED GRASS (Xyris platylepis)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: TALL YELLOWEYED GRASS (Xyris platylepis)

Despite the flower color it is still called yelloweyed grass. This is one of two species in this genus that can have white or yellow flowers (the other is X. caroliniana).

There are 24 Xyris species are listed as native to FL (ISB).

Learn: FNPS Palmetto article http://www.fnps.org/assets/pdf/palmetto/v18i2p14lee.pdf

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Xyris

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2389

Seeds for a similar species are available from Florida Wildflowers Growers Coop:

http://www.floridawildflowers.com/products/Xyris-difformis-%252d-Bog-Yelloweyed%C2%A0Grass.html

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PINK PURSLANE; KISS-ME-QUICK (Portulaca pilosa)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: PINK PURSLANE; KISS-ME-QUICK (Portulaca pilosa)

Sometimes called rose moss. Flowers open only part of the day; good for rock gardens, groundcover. While P. spp. is said to edible, there is debate about whether this species is palatable. I leave mine for the wildlife.

Learn: http://regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Portpilo

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Portulaca

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2033

It was the species spotlight in a 2008 edition of the Sabal Minor: http://www.fnps.org/assets/pdf/sabalminor/sb0807_v11n4.pdf

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STINKING CAMPHORWEED (Pluchea foetida)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?™: STINKING CAMPHORWEED (Pluchea foetida)

perennial; strong scent; likes wet conditions. leaves are a pretty green edged in burgandy. Attractive to Pollinators such as the grey hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus) shown in the photo.

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/pluchea-spp

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Pluchea+foetida

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=875

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HUMPED BLADDERWORT (Utricularia gibba)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: HUMPED BLADDERWORT (Utricularia gibba)

carnivorous wetland plant. These grow on the tussuck (island) in my pond and occasionally in the littoral zone.

Learn: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/PD_PFriendly.asp?tx=Utrigibb

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3522

My take: http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/like-bladderworts-that-depends.html

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TURKEY TANGLE FOGFRUIT; CAPEWEED (Phyla nodiflora)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: TURKEY TANGLE FOGFRUIT; CAPEWEED (Phyla nodiflora)

Groundcover. Also called fRogfruit in some areas or matchsticks. really brings in pollinators of all kinds (shown Ceraunus Blue Butterfly (Hemiargus ceraunus))

Larval host: Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon), White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae) and Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia).

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/phyla-nodiflora

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Phyla+nodiflora

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3520

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2016/08/07/covering-the-ground-why-fight-mother-nature/

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CAROLINA REDROOT (Lachnanthes caroliana)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?™: CAROLINA REDROOT (Lachnanthes caroliana)

Pollinator magnet for wet locations. Roots can be used as a dye.

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/lachnanthes-caroliana

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=lachnanthes+caroliana

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=828

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2017/03/28/pollinator-playground-carolina-redroot/

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SMALLFRUIT PRIMROSEWILLOW (Ludwigia microcarpa)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: SMALLFRUIT PRIMROSEWILLOW (Ludwigia microcarpa)

With the small non-descript flowers, it is easily overlooked. Likes it wet. Grows as a ground cover in the pond margins.

Learn: http://regionalconservation.org/ircs/database/plants/PlantPage.asp?TXCODE=Ludwmicr

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Ludwigia

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3235

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ROSY CAMPHORWEED (Pluchea baccharis)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: ROSY CAMPHORWEED (Pluchea baccharis)

Fragrant plant for moist to wet locations. Loved by butterflies and other pollinators such as this Five-banded Tiphiid Wasp (Myzinum quinquecinctum) (a parasitoids of white grubs)

synonym: P. rosea

Learn: http://regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Plucbacc

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Pluchea+baccharis

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2500

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VIRGINIA CREEPER; WOODBINE (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: VIRGINIA CREEPER; WOODBINE (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Deciduous vine in the grape family provides spectacular fall color. can be grown on masonary surfaces without damage but use caution if planted near painted surfaces.

Can be grown as a ground cover. Freely self seeds so can be aggressive, but provides great cover and food value for wildlife especially insects and birds.

Larval Host: Moths including several Sphinx moths.

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/parthenocissus-quinquefolia

Learn wildlife value: http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_paqu2.pdf

Sap may cause allergic reaction to some.

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=parthenocissus+quinquefolia

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3742

buds

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SOUTHERN BEEBLOSSOM (Oenothera simulans)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: SOUTHERN BEEBLOSSOM (Oenothera simulans)

Had a name recent name change. synonym: Gaura angustifolia

Tall, lanky annual wildflower (3-4ft) attracts pollinators. The flowers start out white and turn pink overnight; flowers only last a day. May be aggressive as it freely self seeds.

Larval Host: Clouded Crimson Flower Moth (Schinia gaurae); HUMMINGBIRDS will nectar at this plant.

Learn: http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H59.htm

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Oenothera

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3271

My take: http://web.archive.org/web/20140729110202/http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/just-in-time-for-national-moth-week.html

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MYRTLELEAF ST. JOHN’S-WORT (Hypericum myrtifolium)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: MYRTLELEAF ST. JOHNS-WORT (Hypericum myrtifolium)

requires wet conditions.

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/hypericum-myrtifolium

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Hypericum

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1014

My http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/depressed-try-st-johns-wort-in-your-garden/

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