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?:
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?: 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?: NORTHERN NEEDLELEAF (Tillandsia sp. likely balbisiana)
Threatened-State
Hanging out in my live oak. I only started finding this type of airplant in 2018. Prior to that I had 3 species and I suspect that this blew in with hurricane Matthew or Irma. Now all four are residents of the live oak.
This is one of Florida’s native Bromeliads. Commonly called airplants because they are epiphytic (they live on other plants but do not take any food from them so they are not parasitic).
Learn: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/frank/savebromeliads/floridas-bromeliads/Tillandsia-balbisiana.html
Learn more: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw205
My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2019/01/21/when-plants-hang-out/
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Tillandsia
Where does it grow in Florida?: https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=733
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: FOURLEAF VETCH (Vicia acutifolia)
Photo depicts buds. Sometimes called sand vetch.
This delicate vine in the pea family has a sticky feel to it and can be aggressive. It disappears once summer rolls around. Good cool weather and early spring bloomer for pollinators.
Learn: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIAC3
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2647
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: MEADOWBEAUTY (Rhexia sp.)
There are several different Rhexia species in Florida.
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?: LARGEFLOWER ROSEGENTIAN (Sabatia grandiflora)
Likes it moist and needs plenty of sun. These grow in the margin of my pond. Attract pollinators.
Learn: http://hawthornhillwildflowers.blogspot.com/2011/02/large-flowered-marsh-pink-sabatia.html
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Sabatia
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2356
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?™: SHYLEAF (Aeschynomene americana)
a.k.a. Jointvetch
Aggressive but delicate member of the pea family. Can reach heights of 4 ft. “annual grazing crop
that can be cut for hay before maturity.”
Prolific seeds feed: quail, dove and turkey; attracts pollinators, grazed by deer.
Learn: http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_aeam.pdf
Larval host: Barred Yellow Butterfly (Eurema daira); Pale-edged Selenisa Moth (Selenisa sueroides)
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2805
My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2019/10/04/in-a-wildlife-garden-it-isnt-shy-at-all/
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: SENSITIVE BRIER (Mimosa quadrivalvis var. angustata)
Bud depicted. The leaves fold up to touch, giving this plant part of its common name.
The pink puffball flowers are pretty to look at, but beware of the hidden prickles on the stems of this low growing vine which easily grabs the skin of your ankles.
Seeds eaten by quail, songbirds, and gopher tortoises; foliage is eaten by gopher tortoises and wild turkeys. Also provides cover. (source: http://www.forestrywebinars.net/webinars/the-basics-of-longleaf-understory-establishment-enhancement/at_multi_download/relatedFiles?name=presentation.pdf)
There are two varieties (angustata and floridana) which can be differentiated by the venation of the leaves. Discussion on facebook including closeup of leaves here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FloridaBotanyII/permalink/555826401194209/
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3370
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: NUTTALL’S THISTLE (Cirsium nuttallii)
Bienniel. Can get quite tall (4-5 ft. or more) spiny (OUCH) plant that is of great benefit to wildlife, providing for numerous insects. Aggressively reseeds in disturbed soil such as home landscapes.
Learn: http://coastalplainplants.org/wiki/index.php/Cirsium_nuttallii
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Cirsium
Larval Host: Little Metalmark Butterfly; Ive seen other notations that Cirsium spp. may be a host for the Painted lady Butterfly as well.
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1018
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?: PINK SUNDEW (Drosera capillaris)
Carnivorous, getting their nutrients by digesting insects which are caught on the sticky leaves.
Need a moist environment. At my place, these plants inhabit the pond margins.
Learn: http://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/look-at-drosera.html
Native American Ethnobotany: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Drosera+capillaris
Where does it grow in Florida: http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=831
Leaves from February 2012:
PINK SUNDEW (Drosera capillaris)
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: WHITE LOBELIA (Lobelia paludosa)
Dainty multiple wildflowers on a single stem reaching 1-2 ft tall. Moist locations.
Learn: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/PD_PFriendly.asp?tx=Lobepalu
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Lobelia
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2079
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: CUBAN JUTE; INDIAN HEMP (Sida rhombifolia)
May be used in making cord and said to have some use in herbal medicines/teas. may contain Ephedrine.
Can be aggressive with abundant seeds. Supports wildlife.
Learn: http://www.eattheweeds.com/sida-wireweed/
Larval host: Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon istapa), Checkered-Skippers (Pyrgus spp.),
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=sida
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2741
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: CAROLINA CRANESBILL (Geranium carolinianum)
Annual. Flowers can appear pink or white depending on age. Seed pods look like the bill of a crane giving it the common name. A spring groundcover.
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?: SHINY BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium myrsinites)
aka ground blueberry. Low growing shrub which produces small juicy fruits eaten by mammals and a variety of birds including songbirds, quail, pheasant and wild turkey. Also provides good cover for small birds/mammals. source: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/vacmys/all.html
Learn: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/vacmys/all.html
Learn more: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/vaccinium-myrsinites
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Vaccinium+myrsinites
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=653
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: ROSE-RUSH (Lygodesmia aphylla)
TALL, delicate wildflower that will pop up in heavy vegetation. At my place I find it reaching up from between ferns, blackberry, galberry, lyonia spp. Be sure to look for this one earlier in the day as it may wilt by afternoon.
Attracts: native bees; butterflies and other pollinators
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/lygodesmia-aphylla
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Lygodesmia
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=681
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?™: COASTALPLAIN STAGGERBUSH (Lyonia fruticosa)
What a surprise. Probably 7-8 ft tall. This appeared out of a thicket of Saw Palmetto, Muscadine and Blackberry which surround a Long Leaf Pine. It must have fought for its place in the sun.
Member of the heath family. important nectar source. (source:
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/florida_forestry_information/events_calendar/files/plant_id_workshop_booklet_pdf.pdf)
Also called rusty lyonia or rusty staggerbush. Outstanding feature is the pretty rust colored pubescense which coats the leaves of new growth. closely related to L. ferruginea which IFAS reports: “pubescence …reportedly works to protect new growth from harmful insects.” (source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp357) BUT, having seen a shrub completely defoliated by the larvae of the Datana sp. would seem to discount that theory.
Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/lyonia-fruticosa
Larval host: Prominent Moth Caterpillar (Datana spp.)
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Lyonia+fruticosa
Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=679
Coastalplain Staggerbush (Lyonia fruticosa)
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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?™ 