Tarflower
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Bejaria racemosa
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Ericaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also an accent shrub. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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A fairly common shrub in a wide variety of flatwoods ecosystems. |
Availability: |
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Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries. |
Description: |
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Medium to large shrub with erect branches. Leaves thin, often with a hairy midrib, 1-2 inches long. |
Height: |
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Typically 4-8 feet, sometimes taller. Sometimes as broad as tall. |
Growth Rate: |
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Moderate. |
Range: |
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Southeastern United States south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties. In Miami-Dade County it has been reported as far south as the Little River area. |
Habitats: |
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Pinelands. |
Soils: |
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Moist, well-drained sandy soils, with or without humus. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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Low to moderate; it can grow in nutrient poor soils or soils with some organic content. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
Light Requirements: |
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Full sun to light shade. |
Flower Color: |
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Bright white, often tinged with pink. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Semi-showy, in long terminal racemes. Fragrant and sticky. |
Flowering Season: |
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Spring-fall. |
Fruit: |
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Rounded sticky capsule. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Provides moderate amounts of food and significant cover for wildlife. Bees and flies are attracted to the flowers, and are often caught on the sticky flowers. |
Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed. |
Comments: |
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This is a very ornamental shrub when in flower, and worthy of more attention by the native plant trade. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page. |
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James Johnson, 2014 In habitat, Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area, Broward County, Florida
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James Johnson, 2014 In habitat, Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area, Broward County, Florida Expand
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