Landscape Uses:
	An accent shrub along pond and lake edges.
Ecological Restoration Notes:
	A rather infrequent element in marshes and the edges of freshwater swamps.
Availability:
	Commonly available at native plant nurseries in central Florida.
Description:
	Medium erect shrub.
Height:
	Typically 6-8 feet in height. Usually taller than broad.
Growth Rate:
	Moderate.
Range:
	Southeastern United States west to Texas and south to Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland.
Habitats:
	Swamps, wet thickets and marshes.
Soils:
	Wet, moderately well-drained to poorly-drained organic soils.
Nutritional Requirements:
	High; requires rich organic soils for optimal growth.
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:
	Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought.
Light Requirements:
	Full sun.
Flower Color:
	Light purple or pink with a dark purple or reddish-purple center.
Flower Characteristics:
	Showy.
Flowering Season:
	Spring-summer.
Fruit:
	Inconspicuous dry capsule.
Wildlife and Ecology:
	Flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds, orioles and other birds.
Horticultural Notes:
	Can be grown from seed.
Comments:
	See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.