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Youngia japonica is a clump forming annual that can reach heights of 12 to 14 inches, with leaves growing to 6 inches in length. The plant bears many individual small yellow flower heads. Asiatic False Hawksbeard is a common, nuisance weed that has naturalized here in Florida but it has a short taproot, making it easy to pull up. It sprouts in lawns, nursery containers, flower beds and disturbed sites.

Passiflora incarnata is also a native wildflower of Florida, found in disturbed sites, along roadsides and woodland margins throughout the state. Even though it is considered a tropical vine it can survive freezing winter temperatures with new shoots sprouting from the soil in spring. Growing to 15 feet, with large dark green deeply lobed leaves, this twining vine rambles along the ground and climbs up and over other vegetation. The Wild Passion Flower vine bears large, up to 3 to 4 inch wide lavender-purple flowers whose nectar attracts many butterflies; and this vine also serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of several butterfly species, including the Gulf Fritillary and Zebra Longwing.

The fruit of Passiflora incarnata is a large green oval berry, up to 3" in length, which is edible once it ripens to the yellow color. This Passiflora got it's common name "Maypop" because when the ripe fruit falls off the vine and is stepped on, it makes a loud pop. Children have always had fun stomping the berries to make them "pop".

Begonia Withlacoochee is a trailing (scandent) type begonia with pubescent green leaves that have ochre veining, and a reddish reverse leaf. It produces small white flowers and is a beautiful sight when in full bloom.

This trailing begonia is many-branched with basal shoots growing from the main stems. The leaves overlap on the cascading stems making it a great plant for hanging baskets. In its natural habitat this trailing begonia climbs up tree trunks, but as a house plant it can be trained to climb a trellis or moss pole. This plant should not be over-potted; when re-potting it is best to go up just one size. Prune out old and bare stems and pinch the tips to encourage branching and create a more shapely plant. To prevent root rot and eventual loss of the plant, keep soil moist but not soggy; a well draining potting medium is crucial to good health.

The long pendulous stems of this begonia are fragile and break easily so care should be taken with providing a good location away from walkways or where someone would constantly bump into the plant, breaking the stems.

Bull Thistle is a perennial or biennial native found throughout Florida. It reseeds readily and is found in habitats such as pastures, hammocks, along the edges of freshwater and salt marshes as well as open disturbed sites. This common wildflower grows to heights of 5 feet and the deeply lobed, extremely spiny leaves form a distinct rosette to 2 feet wide. Leaves grow to 12 inches in length, are gray-green in color and arch downward along a thick, hairy stem. Although it is a beautiful plant, like other thistles it is dangerously spiny!

Cirsium horridulum sports showy flowers up to 3 inches in width and the flowers range in color from deep red-purple to pale yellow and even chalky white. There can be one to several flower heads on a single plant. Peak bloom time is usually spring to early summer, but Bull Thistle can bloom sporadically throughout the year.

The flower nectar of Bull Thistle attracts pollinators like butterflies, skippers and hummingbirds, and the leaves serve as a host plant for the caterpillar of the little Metalmark Butterfly.

Carolina Wild Petunia is a native perennial here in Florida. Widespread throughout the state, it is found in disturbed sites, open woodlands, and forest margins. This plant tolerates a variety of growing conditions; from dry to moist soil and from full sun to full shade. The plant grows 12 to 18 inches tall and has short-stalked 5" long leaves attached to hairy upright stems. The funnel-shaped lavender to purple (or occasionally white) flowers are 1 to 2 inches in length and appear solitary or in small groups at the leaf attachments on the terminal end of the stem. The fruit of the Carolina Wild Petunia is a small oval yellow capsule of about 1/2" in length, turning green and then brown with age. When mature, the small seeds are forcibly expelled from the capsule and may travel quite a distance.

Netleaf Leatherflower is a native perennial wildflower found along forest margins, woodlands and pinelands in northern and central Florida. It grows 10 to 12 feet in length, with the thin branches sprawling along the ground or climbing over vegetation. During the spring and summer months it bears showy and fragrant 1 to 1 1/2 inch urn-shaped flowers that are pale purple to violet in color. Leaves of Clematis reticulata are up to 3 inches in length, elliptical to oval in shape, and leathery, with raised veins. The common name of Netleaf Leatherflower comes from its leathery leaves with their net-like raised veins. The species name reticulata means "network" in Latin, referring to the prominent pattern of the veins.

Spurred Butterfly Pea is a perennial native wildflower throughout Florida. Although similar to other pea flowers in structure, the Spurred Butterfly Pea flower hangs upside down with the large, flat standard petal facing downward. The showy flowers are lavender in color with the large standard flat petal having a white center.

Found in old fields, forest margins and dry open woodlands, this plant grows to 5 feet in height but is a weak climber with the spindly vines usually twining loosely across the ground and over low vegetation. Fruit of the Spurred Butterfly Pea is a flat green pod up to 5 1/2 inches in length that turns brown and splits in half with both halves remaining on the vine; seedpods and flowers may be present at the same time.

Clasping Venus' Looking Glass is a native annual wildflower in central and northern Florida that blooms during the spring, summer and winter. Found in disturbed sites and fields as well as landscaped areas, this lovely wildflower is considered a weed by many.

The plant grows to approximately 18 inches; leaves can be variable but are usually 1/2 to 1 inch heart-shaped leaves that have toothed margins appearing along upright stems. The 1/2 inch long pointed, five-petaled star shaped flowers are purplish in color with a paler center. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The fruit of the Venus' Looking Glass is a hairy, reddish-brown pod about 3/4 inches long that contains the shiny seeds.

Elliott Aster is a perennial native wildflower throughout Florida that prefers moist soil. If kept well watered it makes a nice landscape plant for the home garden, flowering into early winter here in Florida. Growing to 6 feet tall, this plant has multi-branched stems and lance shaped leaves up to 8 inches long. Leaves near the base of the plant are longer and wider than those of the upper branches. The daisy-like flowers are small, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide and pinkish to lavender in color with a yellow center disk.

Elliott Aster is a very showy, late season bloomer found along wet roadsides, ditches, wetlands and swamps, where it forms dense patches. A robust and vigorous grower, it spreads by underground rhizomes.

Trumpetweed is a perennial native wildflower here in parts of Florida, a statuesque and impressive wildflower during its blooming season of summer and fall. Growing to 10 feet in height, Trumpetweed is found along roadsides and forest edges, as well as moist woodlands and wet meadows and marshes. it has an upright, hollow, reddish-purple stem with lance-shaped dark green leaves. Very large (up to 18" wide) flower clusters hold hundreds of mauve-pink fuzzy flowers, which are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

A perennial native throughout Florida, Shortleaf Blazing Star is a dense, clump-forming plant that resembles tufts of grass until the blooming begins. The plant has upright stems with 3 to 12 inch long leaves; those at the base of the stem being longest and the shorter much narrower leaves appearing higher up the stem. The thin leaves resemble pine needles.

Here in Florida this plant is found in dry, open woodlands and pinelands. During the summer and fall bloom period it sends up tall slender wand-type stalks with dense clusters of tiny 1/4 to 1/2 inch pink flowers along the slender, elongated spikes.

Beach False Foxglove is an annual native wildflower throughout Florida, bursting forth with a lovely display of blooms in late summer and fall. This plant has weak, multi-branching and drooping stems with narrow leaves up to 1 1/2 inches long. The five-lobed flowers are pink to lavender in color with darker pink spotted throats and are born on 12 to 14 inch tall spikes. Habitat for this annual is along roadside easements, moist to dry disturbed sites and old fields.

Lupinus villosus is a member of the pea/bean family and a native perennial wildflower in northern and central Florida. Lady Lupine has upright to reclining and often branched hairy stems, with 3 to 6 inch long alternate hairy leaves. The fruit is a curved, bean-like pod of 1 1/2 - 2 inches in length, densely covered with long shaggy, silvery hairs. All parts of the plant are covered with noticeable silvery hairs and when in bloom, with its multitude of pink flower spikes held high above the downy foliage, Lady Lupine provides a beautiful and colorful display. Each plant may reach several feet in diameter and is found in dry, sandy habitats such as disturbed sites, pastures, dry woods and pinelands.

Stachys floridana is an attractive perennial wildflower of the mint family. It is considered an aggressive, hard to control weed of lawns, gardens and turf grass throughout Florida and other areas of the Southeastern United States, spreading readily, and quickly taking over moist sites. Florida Hedge-Nettle blooms from spring through fall, producing clusters of 1 inch flowers that are white to pink in color, with purple spots.

Also called Rattlesnake Weed because the underground white, swollen and segmented tubers resemble the tail of a rattlesnake.

The Sweet Pinxter Azalea is a perennial Florida native, attaining heights to 12 feet. Habitat for this beautiful shrub is in the northern range of the state, growing in the dappled shade of moist woodlands, along stream banks and in swamp margins.

Rhododendron canescens bursts into flower in early spring, starting before the leaves emerge. The fragrant, showy flowers are borne in 4 to 8 inch round clusters, with several 2 to 3 inch long pink to pinkish-white flowers. Each flower has five wavy petals forming a tube, and broadly flaring at the mouth. The very long pistils and stamens curve upward, protruding from the tube well out beyond the petals. Fruit of the Sweet Pinxter Azalea is a hairy, reddish-brown cylindrical pod approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch in length.

Rhododendron canescens ("Sweet Pinxter Azalea") along with Rhododendron austrinum ("Orange Azalea"/"Florida Flame Azalea") are among five Rhododendron species found in Florida and are the two most well known.

Polygala violacea is one of about 23 species of Milkwort found in Florida, most occurring in very compact and distinctive clusters with irregular flowers. The genus name Polygala means "Much Milk" and refers to the plant's herbal properties, which are said to improve lactation in nursing mothers.

Showy Milkwort is a perennial, delicate native wildflower here in Florida with blooms that are similar in appearance to a small orchid. The 3" to 9" long flower spike is composed of small pink flowers with a yellow lip. The oval petals on each side resemble little ears.

Rivina humilis is native to the southern United States, Caribbean, Central America and tropical South America. In Florida, this attractive shrub like native is found in the central and southern part of the state in coastal sites, forests and disturbed areas. Pigeonberry is salt tolerant and grows to six feet in height blooming year-round with 3 to 6 inch long spikes of tiny pale pink to pinkish-white flower clusters. The bright red, almost translucent looking berries are often present at the same time as the flowers.

The berries of this plant have been used by Native Americans as a source for dye. The leaves of the plant contain properties that slow the growth of bacteria and were used to help treat wounds.

Although toxic to humans, the berries are a favorite food source for many species of birds.

Due to loss of habitat, this small Florida native orchid is now found only in a small section of the southeastern part of the state. It's habitat consists of coastal scrub areas dominated by Sand Pines (Pinus clausa), Saw Palmetto (Sereona repens) and Coastal Rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides). The Florida Dancing Lady Orchid blooms in late spring and early summer with panicles of 40-50 small 1/2" wide, flared flowers.

This epiphytic orchid is a rare Florida native; once common in the Big Cypress Swamp and the Evergaldes in the southern part of the state, often found growing low on Cypress trees (Taxodium sp.) and Buttonwood trees (Conocarpus erectus), but due to loss of habitat this orchid is considered rare today. In winter after the leaves are gone, the old pseudobulbs are visibly wrapped in papery sheaths that resemble cow horns or cigars, hence two of the common names for this plant. In spring new growth and stems emerge forming multi-branched panicles expanding to 3 feet in length. The one inch wide ornate flowers have three heavily curled golden yellow petals, barred with purple spots, and a tri-lobed red lip with a yellow center spot. During mid day the flowers are highly fragrant, which attracts numerous bees; hence the other common name of Bee Swarm Orchid.

Chapman's Fringed Orchid is a rare, terrestrial orchid with scattered populations found only in the United States in Florida, Georgia and Texas where it forms stable colonies in it's native habitat of moist open pinelands, wet prairies, and along wet roadside and ditches. This plant grows to 30 inches tall with blue-green leaves up to six inches wide at the base and decreasing in size up to the fluted stem tip. The 4 inch flowers appear in the summer months and are orange in color with a heavily fringed lip.