Aquatic Plants of Florida

A sprawling vine up to 120+ ft. with a brilliant purple flower. Vine is salt, wind, poor soil and drought tolerant. Grows up to 12 inches high. Landscape value in coastal areas. Habitats include coastal areas in Zones 7+, such as dunes and bay beaches. Spreads vegetatively and by seeds in Summer and Fall. Excellent for dune restoration. Attractive to butterflies.

Evergreen tree that reaches 55+ ft. Adaptable to various sites. Used for habitat restoration, roadways, residential and commerical landcapes, and coastal areas. Limited salt tolerance and can be found along brackish, tidal rivers with Cabbage Palms and Oaks. Zones 7-10. Also, grows well in upland coastal areas. Wildfowl value.

Salt tolerant tree that reaches max 65 ft. Used for coastal shoreline plantings. Recognized by its large spider-like prop roots and close proximity to water from other species. Habitats include inland waters such as bays, brackish shorelines, canals, and tidal swamps. Found Zones 9+. Significant wildlife habitat. Wave and wind break. Used extensively for soil stabilization in tropics worldwide. Most popular of mangrove family.

Large deciduous tree to 100+ ft. Found growing in wet areas such as swampy sites, lake and pond margins, and stream banks. Zones 7+, except the Florida Keys. Red flowers from December to March. Seed located in papery wing. Three-lobed foliage. Full sun and partial shade tolerant.

Perennial grass found in coastal areas such as marshes, brackish rivers, and other saltwater shorelines. Salt, sun, poor soil, and drought tolerant. Grass can reach 2 ft. and rhizomes spread out to form dense colonies. Found on slight elevations. Has spike-like blades and narrow, dense spikelets. Found in Zones 7+. Offers dense ground cover and soil stability. Often found in mono-colonies.