Common Wildflowers Found in Florida

Florida’s roadsides are adorned with foliage of all kinds — trees, bushes, grasses, shrubs, marshlands, vines and so much more, depending on where you are. 

WIldflowers are an important part of Florida’s ecosystem and they provide food to the pollinators who keep the entire place running. And, luckily for us, a lot of those flowers are visible from the road! 

Here are some of the wildflowers you’re likely to encounter in the spring, summer and fall right here in Florida.

14 Florida wildflowers you can see throughout the year

Spring wildflowers

Bluebells

Not only are these small, delicate blue flowers a joy to see in the early spring months, but they are vital in supporting the livelihood of the local bees, hummingbirds and butterflies in Florida.

Bluebell flowers, because of their shape, contain large amounts of nectar; and since they’re some of the first wildflowers to bloom in the early spring months, they are a valuable source of food for pollinators who have fairly slim pickings so early in the season. Thanks, bluebells!

Snailseed

Snailseed is more identifiable from its trailing leaves and large red berries rather than their small white flowers. It is a valuable source of food for pollinators like bees in the spring and its grape-like clusters of berries provide sustenance for birds in the late summer.

Trailing phlox

Trailing phlox is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial wildflower that is native to eastern and central North America, where it is also often known as moss phlox or creeping phlox.

Though small, the flowers are fragrant and brilliantly colored, forming stunning carpets of white, pink, purple and blue in meadows, hillsides and alongside trails. They’re less common to see on busy roadsides, but smaller roads and streets are sure to have at least a few patches covering the ground. 

Wild iris

Wild iris is a common wildflower in meadows and fields, as is often found in the bogs and swamps in Florida’s wetter areas. The plant is not considered to be threatened or endangered, though it is toxic to most animals (including us humans!). Be sure to get an up-close look if you do find one, though, because the beauty is really in the details of these small, intricate petals!

Summer wildflowers

Butterfly weed

A member of the milkweed family, this bright orange flower is toxic to nearly all animals except, unsurprisingly, the monarch butterfly. Because the leaves, nectar, flowers and sap cause most animals to feel ill, the butterflies lay their eggs in the clusters of flowers so that their larvae can munch on the plant without fear of being eaten themselves. 

Firecracker plant

The firecracker plant is a bright red flower that blooms in the early summer, covering roadsides in swathes of red fire. You’ll find it nearly everywhere you go as the drought-tolerant plant can thrive in any kind of soil and environment — even Florida summers! 

The name "firecracker plant" comes from the resemblance of the flower to a firecracker. Red tubular flowers hang at the end of long stalks, giving the impression of a red firework caught mid-burst. Though the plant can take over its surroundings quickly and smother neighboring plants, the nectar-filled flowers are important sources of food for local hummingbirds and bees. 

Sea lavender

The name "sea lavender" comes from the plant's resemblance to lavender, though the two plants are not related. Their small, fragrant buds are what drew the ancient Greeks and Romans to make perfume out of the bright plant, and Florida’s pollinators continue to be drawn to the tiny flowers today!

Showy rattlebox

Showy rattlebox is a fast-growing invasive plant from the Indian subcontinent that can reach heights of up to 6 feet! The leaves are small and oval and the flowers that cluster atop long stalks are bright yellow and pea-like. 

Fun fact: the name "rattlebox" comes from the sound the dry seed pods make when they are shaken!

Slender scratchdaisy

The slender scratchdaisy is a small, yellow-flowered annual plant that grows to be about 1-2 feet tall. It’s a common roadside wildflower in Florida and the surrounding southeastern United States where you can see it in fields, meadows and other open areas.

Though not native to the region, the plant is not considered to be a threat to native plants and is an important food source for local pollinators!

Spanish needles

Spanish needles, also known as beggar's ticks or monkey’s lice, are a type of small white wildflower that is native to North America and appears in a variety of regions and ecosystems. The plant is often found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides and vacant lots.

The name "Spanish needles" comes from the fact that the plant's seeds have sharp spines that can stick to clothing or fur. This makes the plant a nuisance, as it can be difficult to remove the seeds. In all likelihood, you’ve probably already encountered some while walking through grasses or meadows around Florida!

Trumpet creeper

The trumpet creeper is a climbing vine that produces orange or red trumpet-shaped flowers in the late summer and early fall.

It’s an often-seen roadside wildflower since it can easily climb over fences and walls and up trees and trellises anywhere it’s planted — there’s no taming this wildflower, that’s for sure! 

Fall wildflowers

Coreopsis

Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is the official state wildflower of Florida! It is a small, daisy-like flower with a dark center that blooms from late summer into the early winter months, showcasing a variety of colors including yellow, orange and pink.

Goldenrod

A member of the aster family (like daisies, sunflowers and silkgrass), goldenrod is sometimes confused with ragweed though the two plants are not related. 

Goldenrod plants have toothed leaves that are usually arranged alternately along a tall stem. The flowers are small and delicate and are typically yellow, orange or red. The flowers bloom in the late summer and fall and are an important source of nectar for pollinators nearing the end of the blooming season.

Silkgrass

Also known as narrow-leaf silkgrass, silver-leaved aster, grass-leaved goldenaster or silky goldenaster, silkgrass is a perennial wildflower that is native to the southeastern United States. The flowers are small and yellow and they bloom above long, pale green stalks; the leaves are long and narrow, and they are covered in  silvery-white strands that lend the plant its name. 

You’re sure to see many more flowers that don’t appear on this list, but keep an eye out for them anyway and get an up-close look at the details! You may even have some growing outside your luxury South Florida apartments!

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/JamesDeMers