Florida is a haven for trees with more than 300 species indigenous to the southern state. Many other exotic trees and plants have also taken hold in the state. Get to know a few of the species With this Florida trees identification guide.
Two varieties of sand pine grow in the state. The Ocala variety grows in the southern and northeastern region and produces cones that remain closed unless exposed to extreme heat. The Choctawhatchee variety grows in the northwest and produces non-serotinous cones. The sand pine can grow to 80 feet but the average height is between 25 and 30 feet. The bark turns from gray to reddish-brown with age and the open crown may be flattened or rounded.
The white mangrove thrives along the shorelines of bays and estuaries high above the water line. It prefers stagnant wet soil. It differs from other variations of mangroves in that is has no aerial roots. The leaf is light green and elliptical with two glands at the base.
The laurel oak can adapt equally well to both dry and wet habitats. This fast-growing tree is a favorite for residential and commercial landscaping in the state. The trunk can be as much as four feet in diameter. It may grow to more than 60 feet and the crown is typically symmetrically round or oval. During the spring it grows small brown catkins.
The myrtle oak can stay short like a shrub or reach heights of 40 feet or taller. It grows on hammocks and dunes on the coastline or in deep sandy soil in the state's scrublands. The leaves, which are rust-colored or yellowish, turn downward along the edges and grow to about 1.5 inches in length.
The coastalplain willow grows along the shoreline in open wet forest, shrub swamps, rivers, ponds, lakes, and marshes. This tree is seen most often in Southern Florida. It is deciduous and has seven inch leaves with finely serrated edges. It can grow between 25 and 30 feet high.
The turkey oak gets its name from the shape of its leaves, which feature a maximum of seven lobes and look similar to a turkey foot. The foliage feeds multiple species of wildlife, including turkeys, deer, and black bears. This tree thrives in pine and oak woodlands as well as dry pinelands and on sandy ridges. A mature tree can reach heights of 50 feet or more.
The swamp bay grows almost 40 feet high and is a host plant for Swallowtail butterfly larva. This is an evergreen tree. Its leaves are shiny on top and lighter green with reddish hairs underneath. The leaves are alternate and often have galls. The fruit is very dark and a slightly elongated drupe.
The southern magnolia yields large white or cream-colored flowers up to 8 inches long, which have a strong fragrance. The fruit is cone-like and has red berries hanging from silky threads during the autumn. This evergreen can reach heights of up to 80 feet and grows primarily in Mesic upland woodlands and bottomland forests. This is another popular landscaping tree with Florida property owners.
Two varieties of sand pine grow in the state. The Ocala variety grows in the southern and northeastern region and produces cones that remain closed unless exposed to extreme heat. The Choctawhatchee variety grows in the northwest and produces non-serotinous cones. The sand pine can grow to 80 feet but the average height is between 25 and 30 feet. The bark turns from gray to reddish-brown with age and the open crown may be flattened or rounded.
The white mangrove thrives along the shorelines of bays and estuaries high above the water line. It prefers stagnant wet soil. It differs from other variations of mangroves in that is has no aerial roots. The leaf is light green and elliptical with two glands at the base.
The laurel oak can adapt equally well to both dry and wet habitats. This fast-growing tree is a favorite for residential and commercial landscaping in the state. The trunk can be as much as four feet in diameter. It may grow to more than 60 feet and the crown is typically symmetrically round or oval. During the spring it grows small brown catkins.
The myrtle oak can stay short like a shrub or reach heights of 40 feet or taller. It grows on hammocks and dunes on the coastline or in deep sandy soil in the state's scrublands. The leaves, which are rust-colored or yellowish, turn downward along the edges and grow to about 1.5 inches in length.
The coastalplain willow grows along the shoreline in open wet forest, shrub swamps, rivers, ponds, lakes, and marshes. This tree is seen most often in Southern Florida. It is deciduous and has seven inch leaves with finely serrated edges. It can grow between 25 and 30 feet high.
The turkey oak gets its name from the shape of its leaves, which feature a maximum of seven lobes and look similar to a turkey foot. The foliage feeds multiple species of wildlife, including turkeys, deer, and black bears. This tree thrives in pine and oak woodlands as well as dry pinelands and on sandy ridges. A mature tree can reach heights of 50 feet or more.
The swamp bay grows almost 40 feet high and is a host plant for Swallowtail butterfly larva. This is an evergreen tree. Its leaves are shiny on top and lighter green with reddish hairs underneath. The leaves are alternate and often have galls. The fruit is very dark and a slightly elongated drupe.
The southern magnolia yields large white or cream-colored flowers up to 8 inches long, which have a strong fragrance. The fruit is cone-like and has red berries hanging from silky threads during the autumn. This evergreen can reach heights of up to 80 feet and grows primarily in Mesic upland woodlands and bottomland forests. This is another popular landscaping tree with Florida property owners.
About the Author:
You can visit www.southfloridatrees.org for more helpful information about Find Out About Native Trees With This Florida Trees Identification Guide.
No comments:
Post a Comment