General Landscape Uses:
Wildflower gardens, groundcover.
Availability:
Widely available in central Florida. Available at native plant nurseries in northeast and South Florida. Available at
Indian Trails Native Nursery in Lake Worth (561-641-9488) and in Boynton Beach at
Sustainscape (561-245-5305).
Description: Medium herbaceous wildflower.
Dimensions: About 1-2 feet in height when in flower. Taller than broad when flowering.
Growth Rate: Fast.
Range:
Eastern and central United States south to Martin and Collier 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.
Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.
Habitats: Hammocks and disturbed sites.
Soils: Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone 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: Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements: Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color: Blue or bluish purple.
Flower Characteristics: Showy.
Flowering Season: Winter-spring.
Fruit: Inconspicuous nutlet.
Wildlife and Ecology: Nectar plant for butterflies and hummingbirds. Attracts bees, which are its primary pollinator. Provides seeds and insects for birds.
References: Wunderlin and Hansen (
2011), Osorio (
2001)
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.
