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Salvia azurea is a perennial native here in Florida, found in the northern and central parts of the state. The species name azurea means "Sky Blue," referring to the lovely flower color. Blue Sage has thin 2"-4" long leaves with toothed margins and appearing opposite on a slender upright, hairy stem. Whorls of three to four bright blue (occasionally white) 1/2"-3/4" flowers are borne in clusters on a 6"-18" elongated spike. Flower form is a long tube with an upper lip and a longer 2-lobed lower lip. The fruit of Salvia azurea is an open cup-shaped, elongated brown pod containing 4 small brown nut-like seeds. Blue Sage is found in habitats of dry woods and pinelands and the flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Clustered Bushmint is a native perennial wildflower here in Florida, and is found throughout the state. Leaves are 1 1/2" to 3" long, lance-shaped and dark green in color. The leaves have blunt-toothed margins with a slightly wavy appearance and are attached to upright, branching stems. The foliage emits a distinct musky odor, giving the plant another common name of Muskymint. Like other plants in the mint family, Clustered Bushmint has a square stem, which is purplish green in color. The flowers grow in large round clusters consisting of numerous small white flowers dotted with purple. The flower heads have leafy green bracts below and grow from upper leaf attachments. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies.

Clustered Bushmint can be found in habitats of moist pinelands, wet ditches, and wetland margins.

Button Eryngo is one of our most distinct native wildflowers here in Florida and is found throughout the state. This plant has a basal rosette of 12 to 36 inches long stiff strap-like bluish-green leaves that taper to sharp points, resembling the leaves of Yucca. Flower stems are 3 to 4 feet tall and the flowers consist of dense clusters of numerous 5-petaled tiny greenish-white flowers with a prickly bract beneath each flower head. Flower heads persist on the plant after blooming.

Button Eryngo is found in habitats of moist to dry pinelands, marshes, roadsides, and open woodlands.

Hairyfruit Chervil is a native annual found in many areas of the United States. A member of the carrot family, it is considered to be a widespread weed and it spreads rapidly by seed, quickly colonizing open disturbed sites. The leaves are 1 to 5 inches in length, finely divided, fern-like in appearance, and attached to18-inch erect hairy stems. When crushed, both leaves and stems emit a carrot scent. The name Chaerophyllum in Greek means "Pleasant Leaf". The flowers of Hairyfruit Chervil appear in small, branched 1-inch clusters consisting of tiny 5-petaled white flowers with a greenish yellow center. Hairyfruit Chervil is found in habitats of dry to moist soils, fields, roadsides, and disturbed sites.

Richardia brasiliensis is a native of South America but has become a common naturalized weed in many areas of the south. Tropical Mexican Clover has elliptical leaves of 1 to 2 1/2 inches in length that are attached to hairy, branching and spreading stems. Tropical Mexican Clover often forms dense mats that extend to 16 inches or more in width. Flowers appear in compact 1 inch wide flat clusters that are composed of several small, star shaped white 6-petaled flowers.Tropical Mexican Clover is found in habitats of disturbed sites, waste areas, old fields and lawns.

Shrubby False Buttonweed is found throughout the state of Florida. A native to the West Indies and Central and South America, it was apparently first recorded in Florida in the 1960's. This plant of the Madder family grows to 16" in height, has 2 1/2" narrow lance shaped leaves with smooth edges and pointed tips; leaves are attached to a thin ascending to upright stem. Also called Botón Blanco which in Spanish means "White Button, the flowers are small round dense clusters of 1/2 - 3/4 inch tiny 4-lobed white flowers.

Shrubby False Buttonweed is found in habitats of open fields, disturbed sites and along roadsides; some consider this plant a weed but it does not have invasive tendencies. The tiny flowers attract many insects, in particular the Larra Wasp which was introduced into Florida to help with the control of mole crickets that cause damage to turf grass.

Button Sage is a common woody shrub of tropical areas of the United states. This shrub is a perennial native here in Florida, found in the central and southern parts of the state. Button Sage, like its more common and colorful relative Lantana camara, thrives in areas of full sun.

Lantana involucrata is a densely branching shrub with rough aromatic foliage. The 1/2 to 1 inch long oval, pale to medium green leaves have slightly scalloped margins and are oppositely attached to the woody multi-branched stems. Leaves are said to have a sage-like scent, but the fragrance is not one that I find very pleasing. Flowers consist of clusters of 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide small tubular white flowers with yellow centers. Each flower is 5-lobed and widely flaring at the mouth. Fruit is a small 1/4" green berry that turns purple when ripe and is enjoyed by many birds.

Button Sage is found growing in habitats of coastal areas, disturbed sites, pinelands, and hammock and forest edges.

Alternanthera philoxeroides is an aquatic native to South America but has established itself and spread throughout the southern United States. Alligator Weed has 2 to 3 inch long elliptical leaves that are attached to spreading or ascending hollow stems, which help the plant to float, and although it can grow on dry land it is usually found growing in water.

Found in habitats of wet disturbed sites, waterways, roadside ditches, and pond and stream margins, Alligator Weed can rapidly form extensive, thick mats along shorelines or in shallow water and is considered a noxious invasive weed, crowding out native plants, clogging waterways, and reducing the quality of water by preventing light penetration and oxygenation.

Also known as Prostrate Globe Amaranth, Gomphrena serrata has naturalized along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. It's a low-growing perennial that is closely related to the popular and more familiar ornamental Globe Amaranth, which many grow in containers and window boxes each season.

Gomphrena serrata grows 2 inches to 6 inches in height and has hairy lance-shaped leaves that are attached to sprawling stems. Flowers consist of 1/4" to 1/3" clusters of small tubular white flowers, each surrounded by 2 papery white bracts. It grows in habitats of sandy areas, dry disturbed sites, lawns, and open woods. Unlike its more ornamental relative, this Gomphrena is considered to be a nuisance weed.

Starrush Whitetop is a perennial native throughout Florida. This plant has long thin grass-like leaves and grows to 24 inches tall. Flowers consist of small cone-shaped spikelets with three to six long, thin bracts that appear just below each spikelet. The 3 to 6 inch long petal-like bracts are white with green tips that abruptly bend downward. Spreading to form dense colonies, Starrush Whitetop is found in habitats of moist pinelands, wet prairies, and ditches.

The Perfumed Spider Lily is a native here in the central and southern part of Florida. H. latifolia grows 4 feet in height, with thick narrow 18 to 36 inch long leaves that form directly from the base of the plant, growing in an upright and arching fashion. The large tubular white flowers consist of 6 long narrow petals that abruptly bend downwards below the funnel shape, dangling like spider legs, hence the common name Spider Lily. Blooming in spring, summer and fall the flowers appear in groups on long fleshy flower stalks. Habitats for the Perfumed Spider Lily consist of coastal sites, mangrove swamps and dune margins. Hymenocallis latifolia is extremely salt tolerant, making it an ideal plant for coastal gardens.

Bluestem Prickly Poppy is an annual or biennial plant whose native range here in Florida is the central and northern parts of the state. Bluestem Prickly Poppy grows from 1 to 4 feet in height and has large 3 to 4 1/2 inch white flowers with a yellowish orange throat. The bluish-green, spiny leaves are 3 to 8 inches in length and attached to a thick, erect thorny stem. Bluestem Prickly Poppy grows in sandy soil or gravely areas and forms colonies in dry disturbed sites, old fields and pastures, and along roadsides. Plant contains a yellow latex sap and all parts of the plant are toxic.

Woolly Pawpaw is a perennial native here in the central and northern parts of Florida. A deciduous shrub growing to four feet high, it has 2 to 4 inch long hairy leaves that are attached to upright, multi-branching stems. The leaves (especially new growth) are extremely hairy with a somewhat velvety feel, giving the plant the common name of "Woolly" Pawpaw. Flowers come into bloom on the plant before the leaves appear. The large lemon-scented flowers are creamy white in color, 3-4 inches wide with 3 large outer petals and 3 smaller inner petals. The flowers appear to droop from the upper leaf attachments. The fruit of Woolly Pawpaw is a lopsided 2-4"-long green berry that turns brown at maturity. The flowers of Woolly Pawpaw are pollinated by beetles, and the fruit is consumed by small mammals and wild turkeys.

Woolly Pawpaw grows in habitats of open woodlands, pastures, fields, and pinelands.

Man-Of-The-Earth Vine is a native perennial here in Florida and found in the central and northern parts of the state. This vine has a deep, vertical root that grows to 6 feet in length and can weigh as much as 30 pounds, hence the common name "Man of the Earth". Another common name for this plant is "Wild Potato Vine", so named because of its tuberous, starchy root, which is said to be edible after cooking, with a purported taste (although bitter) similar to that of a sweet potato. The vine can attain heights to 15 feet and has variable, mostly heart-shaped leaves that are 4 to 6 inches long and are attached to a smooth or sparsely short-haired stem. Flowers are 2 to 6 inches wide and long, composed of 5 petals fused together, forming a funnel shape. The flowers are white with pink-purplish throat. The fruit is a round green capsule that turns brown at maturity and contains 4 dark brown to black seeds with long stiff hairs.

This vine is found growing in habitats of dry to moist soils, disturbed sites, open woodlands, forest margins, and along river banks.

Also known by the common name of Cutleaf Morning Glory, this semi-woody climbing vine is considered to be a pest weed here in Florida. Found in upland sites throughout the state, this perennial vine dies back to the ground in winter, but as soon as spring arrives it will begin to re-sprout, sending out twining tendrils and climbing anything nearby. Growing to 14 feet in height, it was first discovered in the Caribbean, but it has been introduced to other tropical regions around the world. The Noyau Vine is an attractive ornamental with large flowers of 1 1/4 inch to 2 1/4 inches long and wide. Flowers each consist of 5 petals fused together at the base to form a funnel shape and are white with a reddish-purple throat. The attractive leaves of Noyau Vine are 4 inches wide, 7-9 lobed, deeply cut, and palmate in shape. The fruit is a green pod of approximately 3/4 inches in length, turning brown and splitting at maturity and usually containing 4 smooth black seeds.

"Noyau" means "kernel" in French and refers to the nut of the bitter almond. The plant is said to have an almond fragrance and taste, and is used as a condiment in some cultures.

Sabatia brevifolia is a herbaceous annual to 20 inches in height and growing in small clumps. The narrow leaves are 1/2 to 3/4 inches long, stalkless and attached to a smooth branched stem. Flowers are 1 to 1 1/4 inches wide and born singly on long flower stalks. Each flower is composed of 5 oval pure white petals with a yellow center.

Shortleaf Rose Gentian is a native here in Florida, found throughout the state. Habitats include wet pinelands in open areas under tree canopies, brackish marsh areas, pond margins and cypress bogs.

Southern Dewberry is a trailing, vine-like woody perennial; a native here in Florida and found throughout the state. Growing to 10 feet in height, the plant has intertwining branches with short downward pointing barbs along the length of the stems. The stiff, compound dark green leaves have coarse, toothed edges and appear along spiny stalks. The large, solitary flowers are borne on short, prickly flower stalks. Flowers are 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches wide, with 5 white oblong petals that are often tinged with pink. Fruit is a 1/2 to 1 1/4 inch rounded red berry that turns black at maturity and looks similar to a blackberry. Southern Dewberry is found in habitats of dry woods, along roadsides in thickets and pinelands.

Southern Dewberry is important to wildlife, providing nectar for insects and fruit for birds and small mammals. This plant holds special value to native bees, providing nesting materials and nesting structures.

Stinging Nettle is a perennial native that blooms year round here in Florida. The plant is covered in stinging hairs that release a caustic irritant. The leaf of Stinging Nettle resembles that of the maple tree. The hairy 3-5 lobed dark green leaves are up to 6 inches long and appear alternate on a hairy stem. The small star-shaped white flowers are 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide and are loosely clustered at the end of the stalk.

Stinging Nettle grows in dry sandy habitats of coastal areas, along roadsides, and in dry woodlands. Living up to one of its common names, "Tread Softly," the plant is covered with short, stinging hairs that, when brushed against, release an irritant that causes a painful burning sensation. Intense pain can last from one to a few hours, and extremely sensitive individuals may have a more severe reaction.

Rice Button Aster is a native perennial here in Florida; the most common and widespread aster in the state, blooming in summer and fall. It is an extremely adaptable perennial that can tolerate a variety of growing conditions. This Aster has leafy, branching stems forming a compact and shrub-like plant. Leaves are narrow and lance- shaped, up to 4 inches in length, with longer leaves near the base of the plant. The small 3/4-inch flower heads are daisy-like and composed of numerous elongated white to lavender petals with a yellow center. Flower heads appear in groups on arching flower stalks.

Symphyotrichum dumosum is a host plant for the caterpillars of the Pearl Crescent Butterfly.

Snow Squarestem is a native perennial here in the state of Florida; a bushy perennial with multi-branching stems and up to 2 1/2-inch rough, dark green, often 3-lobed leaves. The small round button-like flower head is 1/2 inch wide and composed of tiny tubular white disk-like flowers. Often found in habitats of coastal areas, disturbed sites, and open woodlands, this plant is a great choice for butterfly gardens.