Jacquemontia pentanthos is a native to South Florida occurring in Collier, Monroe, Dade, and Broward counties. It is a member of the Morning Glory Family (Convolvulaceae). It is a perennial woody vine with very tiny leaves and flowers. While the flowers are small, they are bright blue with white centers, born in abundance year-round contrasting…
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Three different Porterweed species, one native, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (Blue Porterweed), and two non-native species, Stachytarpheta miniacea (Red Porterweed) and Stachytarpheta mutabilis (Giant Pink Porterweed). All three of these plants are excellent nectar sources for butterflies and hummingbirds. They vary in size from the native blue porterweed growing to 1-2 feet, the red porterweed 2-3 feet,…
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Senna polyphylla occurs from Puerto Rico to The Virgin Islands. It is a very popular landscape tree in South Florida due to its small weeping form, attaining a height of 6-15′ and a spread of 6-10′ wide. It is also drought tolerant and moderately salt tolerant making it a good tree for xeriscapes. Its small leaves…
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Turnera subulata is a somewhat woody groundcover with unique flowers. They open in the early morning hours and close in the early afternoon. While they are open though, they attract an abundance of honeybees and skipper butterflies. While this plant is native to Central America and northern South America, it grows quite well in South…
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Asystasia gangetica is not a true violet, but rather in the family, Acanthaceae. It is native to India, China, and northern Australia. This plant makes an excellent groundcover in a sunny location in South Florida spreading very quickly. Its abundance of purple flowers throughout the year are a great pollen source for honeybees and it…
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