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