A Guide To Identifying The Flora of Florida On Your Next Summer Adventure By James Witt
Identifying the flora of Florida could easily be a lifetime mission. After all, the state’s very name means Feast of Flowers!
The state’s climate ranges from humid subtropical to tropical. That means just about everything can grow and bloom in the Sunshine State.
Let’s start with the obvious – the thing that most visitors imagine when they think of Florida.
The Palm
A palm is not a palm is not a palm – to take liberties with Gertrude Stein’s famous poem. Contrary to popular belief, a palm is not a tree. It’s a palm. It has no wood. Cut one down, and you won’t find any growth rings.
In fact, 12 species of palm are native to Florida. Some are tall and majestic, while others are short and fat. The Sabal Palm is one of the former and happens to be the state tree of Florida. The Dwarf Palm is one of the latter and is easily identified by its 3-foot stature and thick trunk.
When it comes to artists’ favorites and photographers’ darlings, both lose out to the lofty coconut palm, which can soar 100 feet into the sky and drops coconuts on shade seekers beneath its fronds.
Sometimes you can identify palms by where they grow.
The coconut, royal, sabal, and Canary Island palms grow tall and are most often found in open areas and along highways. The dwarf, Chinese fan, and Alexander are less imposing and are favorite ornamentals for yards and gardens.
Native Flowers
From palms, let’s branch out to other Florida flora, starting with the official state flower – the orange blossom. It’s special. This delicate white flower blooms by the millions, contrasting nicely against the deep green leaves and bright orange fruit of its tree and turning the air fragrant.
The coreopsis is a bright little sunbather that likes to hang around in clusters with its friends. It’s a perennial that’s not too choosy about where it grows – other than demanding plenty of sun.
An easily recognizable favorite is the sunflower. The beach sunflower grows abundantly along Florida’s sandy coasts. But look carefully. The Black-eyed Susan looks like a sunflower at first glance and also likes to bask in the sun and hang out at the beaches.
Another Florida favorite is the blazing star (pictures at the top). You can’t miss its blossoms that look like delightfully colored bottle brushes.
Other flowers to look for? Columbine, coral honeysuckle, and the elegantly named Carolina Jessamine. Check out Elliott’s aster, too.
Trees
Palms may rule the roost in Florida, but the state is home to other old favorite southern trees. Venerable southern oaks spread their gnarly branches to give shade to belles and beaus. And there’s no mistaking the magnificent southern magnolia with its distinctive big white blossoms.
For a real head trip, find a buttonwood tree. Its twisted and contorted trunk looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie. (Speaking of which, Edward Scissorhands was filmed in Lutz, Florida.)
In addition to being lovely and fragrant, some of Florida’s native plants are tasty. Try munching mulberries or puckering up with a persimmon. You’ll even find wild coffee. Roast its berries and add caffeine-free pleasure to your morning grind.
If you’re going on a flora safari in Florida this summer, you’re in for a treat. But plan on making more than a day of it. Get set for a long – but rewarding – adventure.
James Witt is a botanist and writer who’s proud to call himself a native Floridian. He’s even prouder of the fact that he only plants botanicals native to Florida. He’s passionate about preserving the ecosystem and keeping invasive species from destroying the Everglades.
