Friday Focus on Fruit: Florida Native Plant SWAMP BAY (Persea palustris)

September 4, 2015
Fruit, Trees
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NOTE:  The initial posting misidentified this plant as RED BAY (Persea borbonia)

Friday Focus on Fruit: Florida Native Plant SWAMP BAY (Persea palustris)

focusfruitredbayAug2015

Larval host: Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio palamedes), Spicebush Swallowtail (P. troilus) and Schaus Swallowtail (P. aristodemus) also host to Redbay Psyllid (Trioza magnoliae)

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/persea-palustris

Where does it grow in Florida?:  http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2064

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=persea+palustris

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SENSITIVE PEA (Chamaecrista nictitans var. aspera)

September 1, 2015
Yellow Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: SENSITIVE PEA (Chamaecrista nictitans var. aspera)

A cousin to Partridge Pea, flowers somewhat smaller, plant height 1 to 1-1/2 ft. This annual is popular with pollinators. Freely self seeds. Synonym: Cassia nictitans

Learn: http://pinellas.fnpschapters.org/index.php?id=cassias

Larval host: Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Little Yellow (Eurema lisa) and Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) Butterflies. {source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw057} and possibly Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe) {NABA}

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Chamaecrista+nictitans

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3223

My take: http://web.archive.org/web/20150316175325/http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/enjoying-little-things-in-the-garden.html

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WATER COWBANE (Tiedemannia filiformis)

August 30, 2015
White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: WATER COWBANE (Tiedemannia filiformis)

Also referred to as Water Dropwort, it is an emersed member of the carrot family Apiaceae. In Florida, it blooms in late summer or early fall and can reach 2-3 in height Synonym: Oxypolis filiformis

Learn: http://www.nababutterfly.com/water_dropwort.html
http://regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Oxypfili

Line drawing: http://web.archive.org/web/20110830191957/http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/images/line_drawings/oxyfil2.jpg

Larval host: Black Swallowtail Butterfly and other arthropods

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3233

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2015/08/05/aphids-are-good-wait-what/

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CUBAN JUTE; INDIAN HEMP (Sida rhombifolia)

August 24, 2015
Orange Blooms, Pink Blooms, Yellow Blooms
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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: shown is a sweat bee and off to the left side is a leaf beetle, possibly Pachybrachis sp.

Learn: http://www.prota4u.org/protav8.asp?h=M4,rhombifolia&p=Sida+rhombifolia

Larval host: Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon istapa), Checkered-Skippers (Pyrgus spp.),

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Sida

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2741

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NUTTALL’S MEADOWBEAUTY (Rhexia nuttallii)

August 18, 2015
Pink Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: NUTTALL’S MEADOWBEAUTY (Rhexia nuttallii)

There are 10 members of the Rhexia genus that are listed in the ISB Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants as being native to Florida. One is sure to fit in your landscape situation.

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/rhexia-spp

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Rhexia

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2688

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BLADDERPOD; BAGPOD (Sesbania vesicaria)

August 17, 2015
Red Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: BLADDERPOD; BAGPOD (Sesbania vesicaria)

Member of the pea family. Tall, gangly.

Learn: http://web.archive.org/web/20141011000836/http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fw038

toxic to livestock (source: http://essmextension.tamu.edu/plants/plant/bag-pod-sesbania/)

Larval host: Zarucco Duskywing Skipper Butterfly (Erynnis zarucco) {source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw057}

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2379

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WINGED SUMAC (Rhus copallinum)

August 8, 2015
Green Blooms, White Blooms, Yellow Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: WINGED SUMAC (Rhus copallinum)

Small tree/shrub. Spreads by runners. Berries can be used in jelly and lemonade flavored drink and in producing dye.

Pollinator MAGNET! sweat bee shown

Berries enjoyed by wild turkey, grouse and many songbirds. Browsed by rabbits/deer. Larval host

Larval host: Redbanded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) which uses detritus (leaf litter).
Possible host: Luna Moth (Actias luna) and Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis).

Learn: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/rhucop/all.html

Growing info: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/rhus-copallinum

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Rhus+copallinum

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3543

My take: http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/winged-sumacfull-of-wings/

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PINELAND WATERWILLOW (Justicia angusta)

July 29, 2015
Pink Blooms, Purple Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: PINELAND WATERWILLOW (Justicia angusta)

New to my Florida Native Plant Life list. Discovered out at the front culvert.

Learn: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/justicia-angusta
http://regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Justangu

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Justicia

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1065

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COASTALPLAIN STAGGERBUSH (Lyonia fruticosa)

July 26, 2015
Pink Blooms, White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: COASTALPLAIN STAGGERBUSH (Lyonia fruticosa)

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://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Lyonia+fruticosa

Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=679

My take: http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/the-garden-bells-are-ringing/

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BLACKROOT (Pterocaulon pycnostachyum)

July 22, 2015
Green Blooms, Pink Blooms, White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: BLACKROOT (Pterocaulon pycnostachyum)

Big with Butterflies for nectar.

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

Larval host: Everlasting Bud Moth (Eublemma minima) (source: http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/GardenPubsAZ/Blackroot_Pterocaulon_pycnostachyum.pdf)

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Pterocaulon

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2041

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ROSE-RUSH (Lygodesmia aphylla)

July 21, 2015
Pink Blooms
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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://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Lygodesmia

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=681

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TENANGLE PIPEWORT (Eriocaulon decangulare)

July 17, 2015
White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: TENANGLE PIPEWORT (Eriocaulon decangulare)

I can always find this tall beauty rising out of the culverts in front of the house. Nice addition to flower arrangements.

Learn: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/156

Line drawing: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/images/line_drawings/eridec2.jpg

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3553

pipewortleavesJuly2015###

DOCTORBUSH (Plumbago zeylanica)

July 9, 2015
White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: DOCTORBUSH (Plumbago zeylanica)

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

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

Larval host: Cassius Blue Butterfly (Leptotes cassius)

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Plumbago+zeylanica

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

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LARGEFLOWER ROSEGENTIAN (Sabatia grandiflora)

July 8, 2015
Pink Blooms, White Blooms
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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://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Sabatia

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2356

My take: http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/skullcaps-milk-peas-and-mutant-sabatia-spp.html

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AMERICAN BEAUTYBERRY (Callicarpa americana)

July 7, 2015
Pink Blooms, White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: AMERICAN BEAUTYBERRY (Callicarpa americana)

Showy shrub with pink/white blooms and gorgeous fruits. Boon to wildlife, particularly pollinators and birds who enjoy the pretty magenta colored fruits. Edible and fruits can be used in jelly or ink.

Learn: http://fnps.org/plants/plant/callicarpa-americana

Palmetto article 1994: Beautyberry, An Under-used Native by Scott Zona
http://www.fnps.org/assets/pdf/palmetto/zona_scott_beautyberry_an_underused_native_vol_14_no_1_spring_1994.pdf

Said to be a mosquito repellant: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/07/060703091932.htm

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Callicarpa+americana

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3546

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