Powderpuff (Mimosa strigillosa) (also known as Sunshine mimosa) is a prostrate, mat-forming perennial wildflower with showy “powderpuff” blooms that appear in spring through summer. It occurs naturally in open, disturbed areas and along roadsides. It is pollinated mainly by bees, but is the host plant for the little sulphur (Eurema lisa) butterfly.
Swamp rosemallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus) is a deciduous perennial wildflower with showy pink blooms that appear from summer into early fall. It occurs naturally in marshes and swamps, in wet ruderal areas, and along edges of lakes, ponds and rivers. It is often seen in large masses in open marsh areas.
Woodland pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica) is a showy perennial wildflower. It blooms in late spring through summer and sometimes into fall. It occurs naturally in upland hardwood forests, slope forests and bluffs, and is pollinated by hummingbirds as well as other insects. There are approximately 60 species of Spigelia that occur from the southern US south to Argentina. Only four species are native to Florida.
Also known as Rugel’s milkwort, Yellow milkwort (Polygala rugelii) is an annual herbaceous wildflower endemic to the Florida peninsula. Its showy flowers bloom primarily in summer and fall, but may appear throughout most of the year. It occurs naturally in wet pine flatwoods.
Carolina redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana) is a perennial herbaceous wildflower that blooms from summer into fall. It occurs naturally in wet flatwoods, marshes, bogs, dome swamps, savannas and coastal swales. Its blooms are attractive to a variety of butterflies and moths; its seeds are eaten by birds; and the whole plant is favored by feral hogs, who are known to dig up and eat large patches of redroot.
Gopher apple (Licania michauxii) is a hardy, low-growing, woody perennial shrub that occurs naturally in sandhills, pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods and scrub. It is often confused with runner oak, which has a similar growth habit and is found in similar habitats. Gopher apple can bloom year-round.