Landscape Uses:
	Accent shrub.
Ecological Restoration Notes:
Availability:
	Widely available in central Florida. Commonly available at native plant nurseries in northeast Florida. Available in Lake Worth at Amelia's SmartyPlants (561-540-6296).
Description:
	Medium erect shrub. Leaves shiny green.
Height:
	About 6-8 feet in height. Usually about as broad as tall.
Growth Rate:
	Moderate.
Range:
	Southeastern United States south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties.
Habitats:
	Pinelands and swamps.
Soils:
	Seasonally inundated to moist, well-drained sandy or sandy-organic soils, with humusy top layer, acid pH.
Nutritional Requirements:
	Moderate to low; it prefers soils with organic content, but will still grow reasonably well 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:
	Moderate to high; plants growing in extremely dry soils may die during extended periods of drought.
Light Requirements:
	Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
	Pale to deep pinkish or almost red.
Flower Characteristics:
	Showy.
Flowering Season:
	Spring.
Fruit:
	Inconspicuous capsule.
Wildlife and Ecology:
	Provides some food and moderate amounts of cover for wildlife.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
	See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.