Helianthus debilis subsp debilis 
Pollinators: Bees
Wildlife: Seeds eaten by birds and small mammals, can provide thicket shelter
Ethnobotany: Plant was made into a poultice to treat snake and spider bites, leaves crushed for sores, swelling and bruises; flowers were cooked in a liquid for a medicine to treat chest pain; powdered seeds were used to make bread and cakes.
photo credit: Len Pearlstine

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Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Pollinators: Bees, bumblebees, sweat flies, syrphid flies, bee flies
Ethnobotany: Leaves were cooked and eaten by Native Americans as a medicinal plant, said to regulate the bowels since it is considered a laxative.
photo credit: Emily Bell

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Muhlenbergia capillaris
Wildlife: Seeds eaten by birds and can provide shelter for small animals
photo credit: Len Pearlstine

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Symphyotrichum dumosum
Pollinators: Many, esp. native bees
Host Plant for: Pearl crescent butterfly
photo credit: Elise Pearlstine

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Ilex vomitoria
Pollinators: Bees
Wildlife: Birds eat the fruits
Ethnobotany: Leaves can be brewed into a tea which causes vomiting if drunk in large quantities and was used in cleansing rituals. In smaller quantities, the leaves contan caffeine. Berries are poisonous and can cause vomiting--see scientific name.
photo credit: Len Pearlstine

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Goldenrod
Solidago spp, S. odora or S. odora var chapmanii
Pollinators: Many
Ethnobotany: Leaves of S. odora smell of anise when crushed, sweet goldenrod has been used as a tea and for colds or oral problems.
photo credit: Elise Pearlstine

FNPS

Prunus caroliniana
Pollinators: Bees
Wildlife: If a thicket, wildlife will use it
photo credit: Len Pearlstine

FNPS

Myrcianthes fragrans
Pollinators: Bees and butterflies
Wildlife: Birds eat the fruits
Ethnobotany: Leaves were crushed to make a tea that was used to stop diarrhea, giving it the name Stopper Tree. Wood was used for arrows and tool handles.
photo credit: Mary Keim

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Sabal palmetto
Pollinators: Bees
Host Plant for: Monk skipper butterfly
Wildlife: Dead palm fronds are roosting habitat for yellow bats and is one of their favorite roost sites. Their fur color blends with the color of the fronds. Seeds used by small mammals, birds nest in the fronds.
Ethnobotany: The central bud can be used to make 'swamp cabbage' but removeing it kills the tree; trunk, leaves, and fiber were used in buiding chickee huts, fiber for kindling, rope, and clothing, and the bud and berries for food.
photo credit: Len Pearlstine

FNPS

Monarda punctata
Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and moths Wildlife: Hummingbirds
Ethnobotany: High in thymol oil which is antimicrobial and can be fatal in high doses. Historically used to treat ringworm and hookworm infections. May be used to increase blood flow to infections by flushing out toxins. Today mainly used for digestive and upper respiratory tract issues.
photo credit: Emily Bell

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Magnolia grandiflora
Pollinators: Beetles
Wildlife: Birds and small mammals eat the fruit
Ethnobotany: Historically used by Native Americans in traditional medicine. Benefits may include use for reducing blood pressure, reducing convulsive seizures and as a potential cancer treatment.
photo credit: Len Pearlstine

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Coreopsis leavenworthii
Pollinators: Butterflies, others
photo credit: Emily Bell

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Conradina canescens
Pollinators: Bees
photo credit: Emily Bell

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Amorpha fruticosa
Pollinators: Bumblebees
Host Plant for: Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly and Zarucco duskywing butterfly
Wildlife: Deer and rabbits browse
Ethnobotany: It has been used for bedding, dye, as an insecticide. Was used by Seminoles as an infusion for general tonic and against rheumatism.
photo credit: Mary Keim

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Prunus umbellata
Pollinators: Bees
Wildlife: Birds and others eat the fruit
Ethnobotany: Fruit is edible but best for jelly
photo credit: Grace Howell

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Crataegus aestivalis
Pollinators: Especially native bees
Wildlife: Hummingbird clearwing and blinded sphinx butterflies. Birds and small mammals eat the fruit.
Ethnobotany: In North America, the Cherokee used hawthorn tree bark to increase blood circulation and treat spasms. Berries were eaten to improve the appetite when ill. Infused hawthorn leaves and flowers with water create topical skin washes and lotions. Hawthorn leaves and flowers may also be tinctured as a dietary supplement and dried for healthful tea (From Fernandina Observer June 1, 2023)
photo credit: Betsy Harris

FNPS

PItyopsis graminifolia
Pollinators: Bees, butterflies
photo credit: Mary Keim

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Mimosa strigillosa
Pollinators: Bees
Host Plant for: Little sulfur butterfly
photo credit: Emily Bell

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Rhus copallinum
Pollinators: Various pollinators
Host Plant for: Red-banded hairstreak and Luna moth
Wildlife: Birds and mammals eat the fruits
Ethnobotany: The berry-like fruits, called drupes, can be used to make a drink when soaked overnight in cool water, flavor comes from malic acid in the fruit's hairs. Ground drupes can be used as a seasoning. It is in the cashew family so those with cashew allergies may want to avoid it. Infusion of leaves used for various skin conditions, decoction of leaves used as a bath for babies to make them walk, leaf tea recommended for asthma, also used as a mouthwash.
photo credit: Emily Bell

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Hypericum tenuifolium
Pollinators: Bees
Ethnobotany: Native species are not appropriate for medicinal use. Medicinal plant is non-native.
photo credit: Len Pearlstine

FNPS

Salvia coccinea
Pollinators: Many
Wildlife: Hummingbirds, nuthatches, warblers
Ethnobotany: Can be confused with other sages and stomach problems have been reported. If accurately identified, leaves may be used in salads or as a garnish.
photo credit: Elise Pearlstine

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Zamilla pumilla
Host Plant for: Atala butterfly in south Florida and echo moth wider distribution
Ethnobotany: Seminole Indians made flour from the roots through an extensive process that removed the toxins from the roots. It was also harvested for years in south Florida, leading to its near eradication.
photo credit: Len Pearlstine

FNPS

Quercus virginiana
Host Plant for: Larval host plant for many moths and butterflies including the Horace's duskywing (Erynnis horatius), red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) and white-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) butterflies.
Wildlife: Acorns are a food source for many birds and mammals. Hummingbirds are eat the live oak pollen. Good nesting habitat for birds and squirrels.
Ethnobotany: Colonial Americans used the wood for ship building, including “Old Ironsides”. Tuber-like roots of seedlings were fried and eaten in the south. Some Native Americans used the acorns in food preparations, processed them into a flour or extracted a cooling oil from them.
photo credit: Len Pearlstine