Florida Waterwise Landscapes - Alliance for Water Efficiency

General Vegetation Map
FLORIDA’S PLANT COMMUNITIES
Pine Flatwoods
The most common plant community in Florida.
Acidic, sandy soil that commonly has a hardpan layer
1–3 feet below the surface. Moisture levels vary from
dry to nearly saturated during the wet season. Fires
caused naturally by lightning occur every 2–10 years,
leaving ash to fertilize new growth. In earlier
decades, the pine flatwoods floor was cleared by fire.
Now, without regular fires, a shrub strata
dominates. In managed conservation areas,
controlled burns are conducted to reduce the
amount of fuel plants on the forest floor and to
encourage growth of herbaceous species.
The most dominant species include longleaf pine,
slash pine or pond pine (depending on hydric
conditions), saw palmetto, gallberry, fetterbush and
tarflower. The forest floor has herbaceous species
such as wiregrass, muhly grass, blazing star, violets
and lilies — species adapted to both wet and dry
conditions. Occasionally there are dahoon holly,
persimmon, maple trees, loblolly bay and sweetbay.
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Coastal Uplands
BEACH DUNE SYSTEMS —
Alkaline to neutral soils of coarse
sand and shell; well drained, with
some salt; low fertility; dry, hot, sunny
and windy conditions. Common species
include Spanish bayonet, saw palmetto,
seaside purslane, saltmeadow cordgrass,
beach morning glory, blanket flower
and beach dune sunflower.
MARITIME FORESTS — Soil pH moderately alkaline
to neutral; sandy with some shell and periodic shell
mounds. Retains some moisture though well
drained, with humus, organic material. Plants
indigenous to this community will tolerate some salt,
wind, shade and drought. Some common plants
include southern red cedar and magnolia, redbay,
sand live oak, cabbage palm, American holly,
Hercules’-club, saltbush and coontie.