Native Plants of Florida

What is a true Florida native plant?

The definition of a Florida native plant is a plant species whose natural range included Florida at the time of European contact, about 1500 A.D. Florida has 2,800 recognized native plants, which includes 170 endemic species (plants that occur naturally only in Florida). These plants were created by GOD to thrive in our climate and soils. No part of Florida is farther than 70 miles from warm marine waters. Our mild climate allows year round plant growth. We have no season without some of our native plants in flower. Florida truly does live up to its name “Land of Flowers”.

What is the difference between a Florida native plant and a Florida wildflower?
None, a Florida wildflower is a Florida native plant. Our 2,800 native plants are separated into the following classifications: trees, shrubs, wildflowers (herbaceous perennials and annuals), vines, ferns and grasses. All of them combined make up the total of 2,800 true native species.

What about the 1,300 recognized naturalized species ?
Many consider them as part of our native total. These hardy species have escaped into the wild and have continued to grow and reproduce without any human assistance.They are not a part of the 2,800 native plants originally documented in 1500 A.D. But they do increase the easily sustainable  plant choices to 4,100.

Why are native plants important?
Because our Florida ecosystems are dependent upon them. The true beauty of  Florida is showcased by its native plants. The 22 different terrestrial communities all produce different native plants and the birds, butterflies and other wildlife are dependent on these plants for food and cover, and their very survival.( pine flatwoods, cabbage palm flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods,dry praries, sandhills-longleaf pines and turkey oaks,clayhills-upland forests,scrubs,temperate hardwood forests,upland hardwood forests, coastal uplands, beach dunes, coastal strands, coastal scrubs, temperate coastal hammocks, shell mounds, rockland pinelands,rocky hardwood hammocks and ruderal sites)
 
Why we should plant and save native plants…
The most important reason is to insure the survival of our native plants. Florida is losing greenspace at an alarming rate due to rapid population expansion. Many native plant species are becoming endangered due to urbanization. To insure that we maintain the biodiversity necessary for survival of our birds, butterflies, vital pollinators and other wildlife we need to preserve and use our  native plant species. It just makes good sense to incorporate native plants into our personal and civic landscapes because when planted in the right places they are more drought tolerant and  insect and disease resistant. They require little of no fertilizer and pesticides, which means less contamination of our valuable aquifer. Once native plants become established they require very little supplemental irrigation. Now that many areas are restricting water usage for maintaining lawns and landscape plants, the use of more easily sustainable native plants is a viable solution  that has multiple ecological benefits.

Properly grouping native plants together in their natural associations can provide you a pleasing look of subtle beauty while conserving our soil and water. Native plants can be left untrimmed or they can be manicured if you desire a more formal look. Florida’s Best Native Landscape Plants by Gil Nelson lists 200 readily available native species now being commercially grown for sale. Each plant featured in his book has a list of naturally occurring companion plants which makes it much easier for you to choose the right plants to create sustainable naturalistic landscape groupings.

Audrey Swindal has contributed her photos and expertise to give you a nice view of many of our beautiful Florida native plants. Hopefully these photos will inspire you to add some of these valuable plants to your own landscapes. If we can preserve native plants for our wildlife we can also maintain the essential bond between people and nature that fosters a sense of stewardship for the land of Florida and its living creatures.