Category: Florida Natives

Rare & Unusual Tropical Trees & Plants, Flowering, Fruit, Native, Palm, Bamboo, Heliconia, Hummingbird, Butterfly

Coontie

Zamia integrifolia (Coontie) is a Florida native cycad occurring in 2/3 of the state including Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Florida Keys. In the last 5-10 years, this cycad has been grown in cultivation in large quantities and commonly sold by nurseries to the homeowner to plant as a host plant to attract the beautiful Atala…
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December 31, 2022 0

Autograph or Pitch Apple Tree

Clusia rosea in recent years has been mostly planted as a hedge plant to replace all of the Ficus benjamina hedges in South Florida that were decimated with white flies and thrips. However, as a stand-alone specimen tree in the landscape, as it naturally grows, it is far more spectacular. With its prop roots hanging…
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October 23, 2022 0

Florida Keys Blackbead

Pithecellobium keyense is a Florida native occurring as far north as southern Martin County and going south through Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. It is a small multi-trunk tree reaching 12-15′. The flowers are small pinkish white puff balls that are somewhat fragrant attracting bees and butterflies. The seed pods are green pealike…
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October 9, 2022 0

Marlberry and Simpson’s Stopper

Two Florida natives that are categorized as small trees or large shrubs which can be grown in full sun or shaded locations. Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides), can attain a height of 10-16′ and is found throughout central and southern Florida. It has clusters of white flowers and blooms heaviest in spring and fall, followed by clusters…
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September 25, 2022 0

Florida Bitterbush

Picramnia pentandra is an endangered native which only occurs in Miami-Dade County in Florida. However, it also occurs in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It is a small tree, 12-15′ tall and a very narrow crown. The tree is dioecious, meaning there are male and female trees. The flowers of both the male and…
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September 11, 2022 0