The Florida Wildflower Foundation defines “Florida native wildflowers” as any flowering herbaceous species that grew wild within the state’s natural ecosystems in the 1560s; this is when Florida’s first botanical records were created. The defenition also recognizes natives as flowering plants and grasses introduced before that time by Native Americans through travel and trade, as well as wildflowers introduced without aid of human intervention. Native wildflowers are crucial for the health of the variety of ecosystems found in Florida; if you want to see a plethora of wildlife and beautiful blooms, plant native! Spring and fall are the time for showy fields of wildflowers but Florida also boosts beautiful summer blooms such as meadowbeauty and hibiscus.
Please don’t pick wildflowers! Preserve your memories with a picture, art, or the written word – it will last much longer. Picking flowers reduces a plants’ ability to sustain itself and grow back stronger the next season. Additionally, picking the flowers of endangered or threatened species is illegal (see Florida Statute 581.185 Preservation of native flora of Florida). Want to spread the natural beauty of the Sunshine State? Send your photos to photos@flawildflowers.org.