Florida false sunflower
Phoebanthus grandiflorus
Asteraceae


Landscape Uses:

Wildflower gardens.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Rarely grown by native plant nurseries.
Description:
Perennial herb 3-3.5 feet tall with rough stems and leaves. Showy, sunflower-like heads with yellow petals and a yellow center. Flower heads can be 3.5 inches wide.
Height:
Typically 3-4 feet in height.
Growth Rate:
Range:
Endemic to central Florida from Dixie to Duval counties south to Sarasota to Martin counties.
Habitats:
Sandhills, flatwoods.
Soils:
Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
Yellow.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
March-November, height of flowering in summer.
Fruit:
Wildlife and Ecology:
Attracts pollinators. Birds eat the seeds.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.


George D. Gann, 2017
In cultivation, Florida