Florida's Nature

Photographs & Descriptions of Florida Native Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Wildflowers, Natural Habitats, Exotic & Invasive Plants, Landscaping with Native Plants

The Fantastic Flora of Florida

Florida is second only to Hawaii in the United States for the number of its native trees with nearly 300 species, half of all tree species found in the entire contiguous United States as well as the overall number of its native plants - at just over 3,100 species.

A Native plant is defined as one that existed here prior to the first European contact, occurring naturally.

Introduced exotic plants account for an additional 1,300 +/- species found in Florida's forests. Classifications for non-native plants found in the wild include -

Naturalized Exotic - an exotic plant that has been introduced from outside of Florida and has established itself in the wild, reproducing apart from cultivation without displacing native plants or causing damage to natural Florida ecosystems.

Invasive Exotic - introduced plants that displace native species, causing damage to habitats and disrupting the natural ecological balance of infested areas.

Among these imported plants there are 67 species that are considered "Category One Invasive Exotics", having displaced native plants and actively causing significant ecological damage.

There are 69 additional "Category Two Invasive Exotics" species that are reproducing on their own in the wild. These are not yet causing ecological damage, but have the potential to do so.

Exotic plants provide nothing in the way of food for Florida native animals which have evolved to depend on native plants for food, thus forcing native animals out of the affected area. In this way exotics can destroy entire ecosystems, the natural communities of plants & animals disappears.

Some are these plants are so prolific that eradication is virtually impossible, the best efforts at control amount to limiting their spread into un-infested areas.

Many thousands of acres have been overrun by these exotic invaders, which are a main contributing factor to the loss of native plant and animal species in Florida.

Florida Habitats

There are 7 major ecosystem types in Florida which are further divisible into the 82 types of naturally occurring plant and animal desert conditions these provide a wide range of habitat types for native plants and animals.

Wetlands are also important rest stops, winter homes and breeding areas for many migratory waterfowl, song birds and raptors.

Undeniably, Florida's prominent natural feature is water, with almost 8,000 lakes, 1,700 rivers and streams.

Florida has more remaining wetland acreage than any other state in the continental U.S. with 11 million acres which is by the way, roughly half that existed in the state prior to human intervention.
( Source - National Audubon Society )

Landscaping with Native Trees & Plants

When selecting a plant, whether tree, shrub or wildflower for your landscape needs, compare the area where it grows naturally with the planting site. Matching soil, moisture and the amount of light a plant receives in its natural habitat will let you reap the benefits.

Once established native plants require very little watering and the need for supplemental fertilizer and pesticides can be practically eliminated, reducing pollution from storm water & irrigation runoff.

 Whether it's a low maintenance flower garden, specimen tree or shrubbery it's tough to beat the Florida natives, not only are they well adapted to growing conditions they can also attract and provide food sources for indigenous animals. More - Go to Landscaping with the Natives.

Finding a plant...

To find a plant you can browse the List of Plants for all plants on the site, the Wildflower Galleries for pictures sorted by flower color, the Native Tree & Shrub Galleries, the Vines Gallery for just vines, or see the Wild Exotics Galleries, for all non-native species found in the wild.

Variations in plants growth form do occur naturally, some plants are notable for variable habit of growth and/or leaf forms. Over the years many species have also acquired multiple synonyms, various references may indicate a different name or even family for the same plant.

These variables combined with the similar appearances of many of Florida's native plants it's wise to cross reference multiple sources to ensure a positive identification.

Eating any part of any wild plant, even supposedly "edible" plants is not recommended. Certain plants or parts of plants are extremely poisonous and can be harmful or fatal even in small amounts, some are so deadly that consuming one seed can be potentially fatal.

Plants may also concentrate pollutants or toxins from the environment into their roots, stems, leaves and fruit.

Simply because a plant or the fruit of a plant is said to be edible does not mean that it is always safe to consume, safely eating plants found in the wild requires much intimate knowledge in locating and properly preparing them. This knowledge is best passed on personally, from another experienced person while in the field. For these reasons this website does not promote any wild plant or fruit as "edible".

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