General Landscape Uses:
Edges of ponds.
Availability:
Widely available in central Florida. Available at native plant nurseries in northeast and South Florida.
Description: Upright, open perennial 4-6 feet tall with large, showy leaves and bright red, showy flowers 5-8 inches wide.
Dimensions: Typically 4-6 feet in height.
Growth Rate: Moderate.
Range:
Scattered in the southern United States south to Collier and Broward 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.
Habitats: Edges of swamps and wetlands.
Soils: Wet to moist, moderately well-drained to poorly-drained organic or sandy soils, often with acid pH.
Nutritional Requirements: High; requires rich organic soils for optimal growth.
Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance: Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate to low; requires moist to wet soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements: Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color: Red.
Flower Characteristics: Showy.
Flowering Season: Summer.
Fruit: One inch dry, brown pods.
Wildlife and Ecology: Provides moderate amounts of food and cover for wildlife. Nectar source for butterflies.
References: Nelson (
2003), Schaefer & Tanner 1997
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.
