General Landscape Uses:
Wildflower gardens.
Availability:
Rarely grown by native plant nurseries.
Description: Wildflower with blue-green oval leaves 6-8 inches long have water repelling qualities. Inflorescence is red with a bright yellow top.
Dimensions: Typically 1-2 feet in height.
Growth Rate: Moderate.
Range:
Eastern and southern United States south to Collier, Glades, and Martin 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: Shallow water of streams, ponds, and swamps.
Soils: Wet to moist, poorly-drained to well-drained, usually 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 to light shade.
Flower Color: Yellow.
Flower Characteristics: Inconspicuous.
Flowering Season: Early spring.
Fruit: Berry-like.
References: Hammer (
2016), Mellichamp 2014
Comments: Native Americans used the seeds and rootstock as a source of carbohydrates. 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.
