Grow more Keystone Plants? ... Here is a pictorial list!

Grow more Keystone Plants? … Here is a pictorial list!

Keystone Plants for Central Florida

Planting native species is an excellent first step toward attracting beneficial insects. In his influential book Nature’s Best Hope, author, conservationist, and entomologist Douglas Tallamy explains that native plants are important. However, there is a smaller group of plants that are absolutely vital for sustaining insect populations. He calls these high-impact species Keystone Plants. When planning our Florida gardens, it’s essential to include some of these Keystone trees ~ shrubs ~ perennials to truly support local ecosystems.

Trees

Quercus virginiana Live Oak FAGACEAE
Pinus elliotii Slash Pine PINACEAE	*Fraxinus pennsylvanica* Green Ash OLEACEAE
Celtis occidentalis Hackberry CANNABACEAE	*Carya glabra* Pignut Hickory JUGLANDACEAE
*Ulmus americana* American Elm ULMACEAE	*Rhus copallinum* Winged Sumac ANACARDIACEAE
Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam BETULACEAE	*Prunus caroliniana* Cherry Laurel ROSACEAE

Shrubs

Darrow's Blueberry
Vaccinium darrowii Darrows Blueberry
ERICACEAE

Baccharis hamilifolia
Saltbush
ASTERACEAE

Viburnum obovatum
Walter’s Viburnum
ADOXACEAE

Rubus argutus
Sawtooth Blackberry
ROSACEAE

Amorpha fruticosa
False Indigo
FABACEAE

Perennials

*Rudbeckia hirta* Black-eyed Susan ASTERACEAE
*Coreopsis leavenworthii* Leavenworth’s Tickseed ASTERACEAE	*Helianthus debilis* Dune Sunflower ASTERACEAE
*Viola sororia* Common Wood Violet VIOLACEAE	*Portulaca pilosa* Pink Purslane PORTULACACEAE
*Vigna lutea* Hairy Cowpea FABACEAE	*Eupatorium capilifolium* Dog Fennel ASTERACEAE
*Symphyotrichum elliottii* Elliot’s Aster ASTERACEAE	*Geranium maculatum* Wild Geranium GERANIACEAE
*Solidago* *sempervirens* Seaside Goldenrod ASTERACEAE	*Lupinus difusus* Sky Blue Lupine FABACEAE
*Chryopsis gossypina* Cottony Goldenaster ASTERACEAE	*Pityopsis* *graminifolia* Narrowleaf Silkgrass ASTERACEAE
*Verbesina virginica* Frostweed ASTERACEAE	*Heterotheca subaxillaris* False Goldenaster ASTERACEAE

All of these Keystone Plants are on display at the Discovery Gardens, a demonstration garden located at the UF/IFAS Extension Lake County Agricultural Center (1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares, FL 32778, tel: 352-343-4101). There are over 20 themed gardens, including a Florida Native Plant Collection (currently over 125 species).

The Discovery Gardens are OPEN: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 9 am-3pm. Admission is Free! However, No Dogs allowed, but Native Plant Enthusiasts Welcome!

References

Native Keystone Species for Brevard County for Dry or Well-Draining Soil
Gardening Solutions > Florida’s Keystone Plants
Homegrown National Park > Doug Tallamy’s Hub
Image Sources: UF/IFAS Publications, Florida Native Plant Society, Florida Wildflower Foundation.