Natives For Your Neighborhood
Conservation of rare plants, animals, and ecosystems

General Landscape Uses: Wildflower gardens.

Availability: Widely available in central Florida. Commonly available at native plant nurseries in northeast and South Florida. Available in Lake Worth at Indian Trails Native Nursery and at Amelia's SmartyPlants (561-540-6296)., in Boynton Beach at Sustainscape (561-245-5305), and in Groveland at Green Isle Gardens (321-436-4932).

Description: Medium to large herbaceous wildflower.

Dimensions: About 2-4 feet in height. Generally taller than broad.

Growth Rate: Fast.

Range: Generally considered native to the southeastern United States and tropical America; now widely cultivated and naturalized in the tropics and subtropics.

 Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.

 Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.

Habitats: Hammocks and disturbed sites, including along the coast.

Soils: Moist, well-drained sandy soils, with humusy top layer.

Nutritional Requirements: Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.

Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.

Salt Wind Tolerance: High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury.

Drought Tolerance: High; does not require any supplemental water once established.

Light Requirements: Full sun to light shade.

Flower Color: Red.

Flower Characteristics: Showy.

Flowering Season: All year; peak in spring.

Fruit: Inconspicuous nutlet.

Wildlife and Ecology: Nectar plant for butterflies and hummingbirds. Provides nectar, seeds and insects for other birds.

Horticultural Notes: Can be grown from seed.

References: Nelson 2003

Comments: See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.