Southern Live Oak

Common Names: Southern Live Oak
Botanical Name: Quercus virginiana

Description:
Southern live oak is a large, long-lived evergreen tree common in coastal landscapes and hammocks. It develops a broad, spreading canopy with thick horizontal limbs and dense foliage. Often draped in Spanish moss, it provides shade, habitat, and structural presence in both natural and developed settings.

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Quercus
Species: Quercus virginiana – Southern Live Oak

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Eastern Red Cedar

Common Names: Eastern Red Cedar
Botanical Name: Juniperus virginiana

Description:
Eastern red cedar is a hardy evergreen conifer found in coastal uplands, dunes, and disturbed sites. It has scale-like foliage and produces small blue berry-like cones that support birds and wildlife. It tolerates salt, wind, and poor soils, often establishing in open or transitional habitats.

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Pinales
Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Juniperus
Species: Juniperus virginiana – Eastern Red Cedar

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Groundseltree

Common Names: Groundseltree, Sea Myrtle
Botanical Name: Baccharis halimifolia

Description:
Groundseltree is a native shrub common in coastal marshes and disturbed sandy soils. It produces clusters of small white flowers and fluffy seed heads in fall. It tolerates salt spray and periodic flooding and provides nectar for pollinators.

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Baccharis
Species: Baccharis halimifolia – Groundseltree

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Parmeliaceae (Shield Lichens)

Common Names: Shield Lichens
Botanical Name: Family Parmeliaceae

Description:
Parmeliaceae is a family of foliose lichens commonly found growing on tree bark, branches, and rocks. These lichens form flat, leaf-like mats and contribute to nutrient cycling and air-quality indication. They are symbiotic organisms composed of fungi and photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria.

Kingdom: Fungi
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Parmeliaceae

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Saw Greenbrier

Common Names: Saw Greenbrier
Botanical Name: Smilax bona-nox

Description:
Saw greenbrier is a woody, climbing vine with tough, glossy leaves and sharp thorns along its stems. It grows in coastal hammocks, flatwoods, and scrub habitats, often forming dense tangles. The plant produces small dark berries that are consumed by wildlife.

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Liliales
Family: Smilacaceae
Genus: Smilax
Species: Smilax bona-nox – Saw Greenbrier

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Cabbage Palm

Common Names: Cabbage Palm, Sabal Palm
Botanical Name: Sabal palmetto

Description:
Cabbage palm is a native, salt-tolerant palm common throughout coastal Florida. It has a single rough trunk and a crown of large, fan-shaped fronds. It occurs naturally in coastal hammocks and flatwoods and is frequently used in landscaping.

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Sabal
Species: Sabal palmetto – Cabbage Palm

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