Native pollinators are a crucial part of our ecosystem. Our native flowers and plants support those native pollinators in many ways that nonnative plants often cannot. Keep your eyes peeled for these blooms opening in nature near you. Whether you garden with natives or enjoy hiking through NE Florida’s incredible nature preserves, you’re bound to see at least one!
Showing off right now in our natural areas, the unusual and alluring scrub pawpaw flower stops you in your tracks.
Delicate papery petals flutter in a light breeze and beckon a closer inspection. Perhaps more interesting than the flower itself is that it is pollinated by flies and beetles, rather than the traditional bees and butterflies. Yes-even beetles are important pollinators! Also worth noting is that it is the larval host for zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) and pawpaw sphinx (Dolba hyloeus).
This particular species stays shrub sized under 10′. Other species of pawpaw such as Asminia trilobata have flowers that range into purple hues and get much taller like small trees. Pawpaws provide fruit nutritious and sweet enough to rival bananas that tempt both people and wildlife making them an excellent addition to an edible landscape.
On the hunt for a hardy groundcover to replace some of your high maintenance turfgrass?
Look no further than the fun and funky FL native Mimosa strigillosa! Also known as sunshine mimosa or powderpuff mimosa, 
do NOT get this type of mimosa confused with the invasive mimosa tree-Albizia julibrissin which has similar looking flowers and leaves but grows into a sprawling tree.
Mimosa strigillosa is a robust and low growing (up to 12″) vining plant which can be used in sunny to partly shady areas as a quickly spreading groundcover that feeds the bees. It will create a sprawling mat of delicate green leaves up to 100 square feet in size from an initial plant. From this green carpet whimsical, globe-like, pink flowers shoot upwards, looking like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss story.
To find native plants and flowers near you, go to the homepage of the Florida Association of Native Nurseries: www.plantrealflorida.org to utilize their searchable database.
When it comes to Bidens alba some see a weedy nuisance, and some see a charming little wildflower.
Whichever side you’re on, there is no argument that this humble plant offers a buffet for pollinators. In fact, it is one of the top 3 plants for pollinators in all of Florida!
Thriving in disturbed soil (such as roadsides, construction sites, farm fields, and home gardens) it blooms nearly year round. Native bees and butterflies are attracted to it’s adorable daisylike flowers. Bidens alba is even the larval host for the dainty sulphur (Nathalis iole) butterfly.
Once you have this plant you will always have this plant. Each plant produces thousands of seeds. The seeds have barbs which stick to clothing and pet fur. This quality lends to its common names: beggarticks, Spanish needles, and hitchhikers.
The native status of this species is indefinite at best. If native to Florida, it is possibly only native to South Florida. Quite likely it is an early introduction from Central and South America. The earliest known records in Florida are from the 1830s in Tampa Bay and Key West. Though its nativity is contested, what we do know is that it is here to stay. And it’s an invaluable food source for pollinators across the state.
Watch this great video to learn how to correctly identify this edible plant in the wild.
The cheerful Helianthis debilis is not just native, but endemic to Florida.
Endemic plants are special because they are found in only one location on the planet, and nowhere else. A powerhouse for wildlife, these whimsical native flowers attract and feed many pollinators including bees, butterflies, moths and beetles. The dense growth pattern provides cover for many small animals, and the seeds are eaten by birds.
Join us throughout the year on “Flower Fridays” to celebrate all things blooming in Florida!
Written by Stephanie Means, Duval County Master Gardener Volunteer and Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program Assistant UF/IFAS Extension, Duval County.
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