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?: 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?: 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?: FLORIDA ARROWROOT; COONTIE (Zamia integrifolia)
syn. Z. pumila
This is a cycad, a primitive group of non-flowering plants. Dioecious plants. Male cones are thin as shown in the photo. Female cones are broad,
Use caution when planting as it is poisonous to dogs. I learned the hard way that even the male cones can be attractive to dogs. The dog in question survived (and lived to the ripe old age of 15) but was pretty sick from noshing on the male cones of this very plant.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/zamia-integrifolia
In range (Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach), it is a larval host for atala butterfly (Eumaeus atala florida)
Larval host for echo moth (Sierarctia echo) http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Seirarctia-echo
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Zamia
Where does it grow in Florida: https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2105
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: PAINTEDLEAF; FIRE-ON-THE-MOUNTAIN (Euphorbia cyathophora)
synonym: Poinsettia cyathophora
Christmas all year round with this beauty. Butterflies are attracted and Ive even seen a hummingbird visit. Said to be aggressive, this has not been my experience in my natural garden. There are some, but not an overabundance. I guess due to healthy competition from other Florida natives.
UNBELIEVABLE the amount of wildlife this plant supports: https://web.archive.org/web/20180429101530/http://butterflies.heuristron.net/plants/poinsettia.html
Learn: https://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/euphorbia-cyathophora
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=616
Larval Host: Ello Sphinx Moth Caterpillars; Leafrollers Platynota spp.
My take: http://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2016/07/31/christmas-in-july-wild-poinsettia/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: GROUNDSEL TREE; SEA MYRTLE (Baccharis halimifolia) female
This plant is dioecious and the photo depicts the female of the species. Also called Saltbush or Silverling.
Works as a specimen tree or can be pruned to create a hedge. Somewhat aggressive.
Larval host for Grounsel Beetle. Leaves can be used to make a dye.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/baccharis-halimifolia
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Baccharis
Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3484
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: GROUNDSEL TREE; SEA MYRTLE (Baccharis halimifolia)
GROUNDSEL TREE; SEA MYRTLE (Baccharis halimifolia)
This plant is dioecious and the photo depicts the male of the species. Also called Saltbush or Silverling.
Works as a specimen tree or can be pruned to create a hedge. Somewhat aggressive.
Larval host for Grounsel Beetle. Leaves can be used to make a dye.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/baccharis-halimifolia
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Baccharis
Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3484
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?:
Friday Focus on Fruit: Florida Native Plant QUEENSDELIGHT (Stillingia sylvatica)
low growing shrub-like herb
Learn: https://regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/PD_PFriendly.asp?tx=Stilsylv
an ingredient in the Hoxsey herbal tonic used as a cancer treatment: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/herb/stillingia
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Stillingia+sylvatica
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3664
Photos of flowers: https://whatfloridanativeplantisbloomingtoday.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/queensdelight-stillingia-sylvatica-2/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: PAINTEDLEAF; FIRE-ON-THE-MOUNTAIN (Euphorbia cyathophora)
synonym: Poinsettia cyathophora
Christmas all year round with this beauty. Butterflies are attracted and Ive even seen a hummingbird visit. Said to be aggressive, this has not been my experience in my natural garden. There are some, but not an overabundance. I guess due to healthy competition from other Florida natives.
UNBELIEVABLE the amount of wildlife this plant supports: https://web.archive.org/web/20180429101530/http://butterflies.heuristron.net/plants/poinsettia.html
Learn: https://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/euphorbia-cyathophora
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=616
Larval Host: Ello Sphinx Moth Caterpillars; Leafrollers Platynota spp.
My take: http://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2016/07/31/christmas-in-july-wild-poinsettia/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY™?: HURRICANEGRASS (Fimbristylis cymosa)
syn. F. spathacea; Not a grass but a sedge (CYPERACEAE); Also called fringe rush and yet, it isn’t a rush.
The smoothness of the stalk that holds the flower mass had me researching this as a rush. A check of the leaves reveals the characteristic edge feel in the rhyme “sedges have edges…”.
Food for ducks and geese. Low growing.
Learn: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/165
Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1307
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: GRACEFUL SANDMAT (Euphorbia sp. likely hypericifolia)
One of the spurges . syn. Chamaesyce hypericifolia
Learn: https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/308/Lists/Fourth%20Edition/Euphorbiahypericifolia.pdf
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Chamaesyce+hypericifolia
Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2803
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?™
Friday Focus on Fruit: Florida Native Plant LIVE OAK (Quercus virginiana)
Beautiful hardwood tree provides great shade but needs room to grow. Wonderful wildlife value, supports larvae of many species of butterflies, moths, wasps. Provides nesting area for birds and mammals.
Learn: https://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/quercus-virginiana
“Southern live oak acorns are an important food source for many birds and mammals, including northern bobwhite, Florida scrub jay, mallard, sapsuckers, wild turkey, black bear, squirrels, and white-tailed deer. Because of fall germination, the acorns are not available for very long [40]. Southern live oaks in Texas coastal prairies provide shade for wildlife and livestock” source: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/quevir/all.html
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Quercus+virginiana
Article on Ethnobotany: https://www.fnps.org/assets/pdf/palmetto/v22i4p12austin.pdf
Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3904
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY™?: BUSHY BLUESTEM GRASS (Andropogon sp. likely glomeratus)
Very tall, showy native bunch grass. Leave in place to dry over the winter as food for flocks of birds. The warblers will latch on and sway as they dine. Provides cover for wildlife.
Several varieties of this species are native to Florida. This one is most likely A. glomeratus var. pumilus
I cut some to use as a free alternative to cornstalks as Halloween decorations,
Larval Host: Possible larval host plant for Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan), Georgia satyr (Neonympha areolata), neamathla skipper (Nastra neamathla), swarthy skipper (Nastra lherminier) and twin-spot skipper (Oligoria maculata) butterflies (source: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/andropogon-glomeratus)
Learn: http://floridagrasses.org/Grass_data/An_glomeratus.html
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Andropogon+glomeratus
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3364
Seeds available: http://www.floridawildflowers.com/products/Andrapogon-glomeratus-%252d-Bushy-Bluestem.html
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?™
Friday Focus on Fruit: Florida Native Plant 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 but will always attempt to climb anything nearby. Freely self seeds so can be aggressive, but provides great cover and food value for wildlife especially insects and birds.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/parthenocissus-quinquefolia
Larval Host: Moths including several Sphinx moths.
Learn more 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
Photos of various growth cycles/wildlife benefit: https://whatfloridanativeplantisbloomingtoday.wordpress.com/2018/06/09/virginia-creeper-2/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: TOOTHED MIDSORUS FERN; SWAMP FERN (Telmatoblechnum serrulatum)
Spreads by spores and underground runners. Mine grows in the shade of a Swamp Bay and Wax Myrtle that are covered by Virginia Creeper.
“Once in Blechnum, this species is now put in the genus Telmatoblechnum, which comprises two species that are sister to Stenochlaena based on plastid DNA data (Perrie et al. 2014; de Gasper et al. 2016).” (source: Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2018. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.)
Learn: https://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/telmatoblechnum-serrulatum
Learn more: An Overview and Informal Key of the Ferns of Florida http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/files/edu/plantcamp/2015/notebook2015/supplemental/04/14_IFAS_UW217_Florida_Ferns.pdf
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2592
Only occurs in Florida and Puerto Rico: https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=BLSE
TOOTHED MIDSORUS FERN; SWAMP FERN (Telmatoblechnum serrulatum)
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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 but will always attempt to climb anything nearby. Freely self seeds so can be aggressive, but provides great cover and food value for wildlife especially insects and birds.
Berries From September 2016:
Larval Host: Moths including several Sphinx moths.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/parthenocissus-quinquefolia
I’ve had Brown Thrashers successfully nest in my vine.
thrasher nest well hidden (July 2016)
Closer look shows the Brown Thrasher in the nest built in Viriginia Creeper
Learn more 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
From 2015: 
buds
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: PILLPOD SANDMAT (Euphorbia hirta)
One of the spurges it is said to have multiple medicinal purposes: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249903/
Larval host for Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea) [personal observation]
This groundcover can be aggressive in disturbed areas.
Learn: http://regionalconservation.org/ircs/database/plants/PlantPage.asp?TXCODE=Euphhirt
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=710
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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 but will always attempt to climb anything nearby. Freely self seeds so can be aggressive, but provides great cover and food value for wildlife especially insects and birds.
Berries From September 2016:
Larval Host: Moths including several Sphinx moths.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/parthenocissus-quinquefolia
I’ve had Brown Thrashers successfully nest in my vine.
Learn more 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
From 2015:
buds
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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
The honeybees were visiting this plant en masse this week.
exotic honeybees were feasting at this beautiful native
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: WINGED SUMAC (Rhus copallinum)
Small tree/shrub. Spreads by runners. Berries can be used in jelly and lemonade flavored drink and in producing dye.
Pollinator MAGNET! sweat bee shown
Berries enjoyed by wild turkey, grouse and many songbirds. Browsed by rabbits/deer. Larval host
Larval host: Redbanded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) which uses detritus (leaf litter).
Possible host: Luna Moth (Actias luna) and Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis).
Learn: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/rhucop/all.html
Growing info: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/rhus-copallinum
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Rhus+copallinum
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3543
My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2016/08/06/winged-sumacfull-of-wings/
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What Florida Native Plant Is Blooming Today?™ 