Two closely related Florida native plants, one a small tree, the other a small shrub. Bourreria succulenta, is a small tree, 15-20′ tall with a narrow weeping crown only occurs in Florida in Lee County, Miami-Dade County, and the Florida Keys. Bourreria cassinifolia, is a small shrub, 5-7′ tall and almost as wide only occurring…
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American Beautyberry (Calicarpa americana) is a Florida native that can grow in shady gardens as well as in full sun. It can attain a height of 6-8 feet in moist well drained soils. A shrub that definitely benefits from mulching. Its tiny pink flowers are produced up and down the branches, giving rise to clusters…
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Chiococca alba is a Florida native shrub with a sprawling vinelike growth habit in the Coffee Family (Rubiaceae). It occurs in the coastal counties of Florida just south of the Panhandle all the way to Key West, growing in partial shade. Snowberry has somewhat fragrant yellow bell-shaped flowers providing nectar for butterflies and bees. The…
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Sisyrinchium angustifolium is native throughout the state of Florida. It occurs in moist meadows and open woodlands. Blue-eyed grass is an herbaceous perennial in the Iris Family so it is not a grass at all, although its foliage is grass-like. It has numerous violet-blue flowers from spring to early summer. It needs to be kept…
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Lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum) is native to the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County. This native tree is listed as endangered due to habitat loss. Lignum vitae translation is ‘Tree of Life’ for its many medicinal properties. However, it is mainly grown as a beautiful ornamental. While it is slow growing, it is one of the…
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