Florida Native Plant Society Blog

Seaside Gentian : Eustoma exultatum Submitted by Beryn Harty, Miami-Dade Chapter, resident of the lower Florida Keys Seaside Gentian, photo by Beryn Harty The beautiful Seaside Gentian, Eustoma exultatum , is a herbaceous wildflower found in brackish to fresh wet coastal areas, and inland in wet prairies. The stunning flowers are usually a shade of light to medium purple with a dark purple center, but some flowers appear almost white with dark purple centers.

Commelina erecta submitted by Beryn Harty, Miami Dade Chapter Commelina erecta , photo by Beryn Harty, Roadside, Ramrod Key, FL Whitemouth Dayflower, Commelina erecta,  is a prostrate, herbaceous, perennial wildflower with very showy morning blooms which may bloom throughout the year. The flower is  quarter sized, bright blue, with two larger ear-shaped petals and a small white lower petal (the mouth).

Amyris elemifera , Common Torchwood By Beryn Harty, Dade Chapter , edited by Valerie Anderson Photo by Beryn Harty, Taken on roadside, Ramrod Key, FL Family Name: Rutaceae Genus/Species: Amyris elemifera Common Name: Common Torchwood (Another common name is Sea Torchwood, which is deceiving because it's salt tolerance is rather low. According to the IRC, " It grows near salt water, but should be protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation." Native Range: Eastern peninsular Florida, the West Indies, Mexico and Central America (Belize) What kind of plant is it? : A flowering tree Any interesting history : Green wood used as torches, twigs are burned as incense. What is the shape, color and size of the flower ?: Clusters of tiny white flowers, new leaf growth often very dark purple What is the typical natural habitat? Hammocks What benefits does it have for wildlife? Provides food and cover for wildlife. Larval host for Bahamian and Schaus Swallowtail...

Senna mexicana var. chapmanii Submitted by Beryn Harty, Miami-Dade Chapter, resident of the lower Florida Keys Photo by Beryn Harty in a refuge area of Lower Florida Keys Bahama Senna is a small shrub, or sprawling groundcover with showy yellow flowers that bloom year-round in its natural, southern range. The bright yellow, five petal flowers, about the size of a US quarter, bloom the heaviest in the fall and winter.  Photo by Beryn Harty in a refuge area of Lower Florida Keys Bahama Senna is the host plant for Cloudless Sulphur, Orange Barred Sulphur, and Sleepy  Orange Butterflies. Its preferred habitat is pine rocklands and rockland hammock edges in moist, well-drained limestone soils, typically in full sun to light shade.     While listed as threatened in the state of Florida, it is easy to find and grow, stocked by many native nurseries, and can be grown from seed.   Family Name: Fabaceae Genus/Species: Senna mexicana var...