WILD LIME; LIME PRICKLYASH (Zanthoxylum fagara)

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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SAW PALMETTO (Serenoa repens)

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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PURPLE THISTLE; HORRID THISTLE (Cirsium horridulum)

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)

Click to access deuerling_dick__peggy_lantz_salads__native_wild_foods_series_vol_12_no_1_spring_1992.pdf

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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CANADIAN TOADFLAX (Linaria canadensis)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: CANADIAN TOADFLAX (Linaria canadensis)

This tall delicate wildflower which blooms in early spring looks great in a meadow. Attracts pollinators

larval host: Buckeye butterfly (Junonia coernia)

Rabbits will eat it like it is spaghetti.

Learn: http://fnps.org/plants/plant/linaria-canadensis

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=774

Seeds available: http://www.floridawildflowers.com/products/Linaria-canadensis-%252d-Canada-Toad%C2%A0Flax.html

Breathtaking in a meadow. From March 2010

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DOCTORBUSH (Plumbago zeylanica)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY™?: DOCTORBUSH (Plumbago zeylanica)

a.k.a. Wild Leadwort

Low growing, vine-like which if grouped can be used as a groundcover for shade. Extremely sticky seeds

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/plumbago-zeylanica

Larval host: Cassius Blue Butterfly (Leptotes cassius)

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

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2781

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2016/11/12/a-day-for-veterans/

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CAROLINA WILD PETUNIA (Ruellia caroliniensis)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: CAROLINA WILD PETUNIA (Ruellia caroliniensis)

Self seeding. A favorite of pollinators.  Mine grows in a relatively shady location under some shrubs

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

Learn more: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/ruellia-caroliniensis

Larval host: Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) and White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae) butterfly

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=812

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AMERICAN BLUEHEARTS (Buchnera americana)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: AMERICAN BLUEHEARTS (Buchnera americana)

Dainty wildflower 1-2 foot tall that can occasionally be white. A Larval host for Common Buckeye Butterfly (Junonia coenia)

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

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3498

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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

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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NUTTALL’S THISTLE (Cirsium nuttallii)

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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MOCK BISHOPSWEED; HERBWILLIAM (Ptilimnium capillaceum)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: MOCK BISHOPSWEED; HERBWILLIAM (Ptilimnium capillaceum)

Delicate plant in the carrot family. Likes moist locations and may be aggressive in disturbed soil.

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

Learn more: rufino-osorio.com/articles/ptilimnium_capillaceum.pdf

Attracts Pollinators. Said to be Larval Host for black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) butterflies, but that has not been my experience. It might not be a preferred host in my region although a friend from the west side of Osceola county shared a video of the larvae feasting on her Ptilimnium capillaceum, so maybe they just haven’t found mine yet.

Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=803

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VIRGINIA PEPPERWEED (Lepidium virginicum)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: VIRGINIA PEPPERWEED (Lepidium virginicum)

VIRGINIA PEPPERWEED (Lepidium virginicum)

Edible, but can be aggressive. The plant has a peppery, spicy smell.

Larval Host: Checkered White (Pontia protodice); Great Southern White (Ascia monuste) and possibly other white butterflies.

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

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2129

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

Edible: http://www.eattheweeds.com/peppergrass-potent-pipsqueak/
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CUBAN JUTE; INDIAN HEMP (Sida rhombifolia)

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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CAROLINA WILD PETUNIA (Ruellia caroliniensis)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: CAROLINA WILD PETUNIA (Ruellia caroliniensis)

Self seeding. A favorite of pollinators.  Mine grows in a relatively shady location under some shrubs

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

Learn more: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/ruellia-caroliniensis

Larval host: Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) and White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae) butterfly

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=812

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BUSHY BLUESTEM (Andropogon sp. likely glomeratus) GRASS

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

My take: http://web.archive.org/web/20130902073424/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/arranging-native-plants/

Seeds available: http://www.floridawildflowers.com/products/Andrapogon-glomeratus-%252d-Bushy-Bluestem.html

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DOCTORBUSH (Plumbago zeylanica)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY™?: DOCTORBUSH (Plumbago zeylanica)

DOCTORBUSH (Plumbago zeylanica)

Low growing, vine-like which if grouped can be used as a groundcover for shade. Extremely sticky seeds

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/plumbago-zeylanica

Larval host: Cassius Blue Butterfly (Leptotes cassius)

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

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2781

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2016/11/12/a-day-for-veterans/

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ASTER (Symphyotrichum sp.)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: ASTER (Symphyotrichum sp.)

ASTER (Symphyotrichum s.) with Syrphid Fly (Toxomerus sp.)

possibly S. simmondsii

Larval Host: Pearl Crescent Butterfly (Phyciodes tharos)

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

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=4162

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CUBAN JUTE; INDIAN HEMP (Sida rhombifolia)

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: shown is a small carpenter bee (Ceratina sp.).

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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WILD LIME; LIME PRICKLYASH (Zanthoxylum fagara)

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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CANADIAN TOADFLAX (Linaria canadensis)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: CANADIAN TOADFLAX (Linaria canadensis)

CANADIAN TOADFLAX (Linaria canadensis)

This tall delicate wildflower which blooms in early spring looks great in a meadow. attracts pollinators

larval host: Buckeye butterfly (Junonia coernia)

Rabbits will eat it like it is spaghetti.

Learn: http://fnps.org/plants/plant/linaria-canadensis

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=774

February 2015

Seeds available: http://www.floridawildflowers.com/products/Linaria-canadensis-%252d-Canada-Toad%C2%A0Flax.html

Breathtaking in a meadow. From March 2010

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CLIMBING HEMPVINE (Mikania scandens)

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: CLIMBING HEMPVINE (Mikania scandens)

Low growing vine, will climb up fences, but doesnt provide deep coverage as other vines might. Dies back.

Can be a Larval host for Little Metalmark Butterfly (Calephelis virginiensis)

Nectar Source, showy flowers, heart shaped leaves.

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

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

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3395

May 2014 (jagged ambush bug is hiding in there.

September 2011

August 2013

May 2013

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