General Landscape Uses:
Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also wildflower and butterfly gardens.
Ecological Restoration Notes: A rare understory herb in pinelands.
Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries. Available at
Indian Trails Native Nursery in Lake Worth (561-641-9488).
Description: Medium wildflower with erect slender stems; barely noticeable when not in flower.
Dimensions: Typically 2-3 feet in height. Taller than broad.
Growth Rate: Moderate.
Range:
Widespread in North America south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Map of suggested ZIP codes from South Florida north to southern Brevard, Osceola, Polk, and Pasco counties.
Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.
Habitats: Pinelands.
Soils: Moist, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements: Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance: Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance: High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements: Full sun.
Flower Color: Greenish-white or white.
Flower Characteristics: Semi-showy.
Flowering Season: Spring-summer.
Fruit: Slender pod (follicle) with wind dispersed seeds.
Wildlife and Ecology: Larval host for queen (Danaus gilippus) and possibly soldier (Danaus eresimus) butterflies. Nectar plant for monarch (Danaus plexippus) and other butterflies. Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects.
Horticultural Notes: Can be grown from seed.
Comments: See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's
Flower Friday page and
Monarchs & Milkweed flyer.
