White birds-in-a-nest (Macbridea alba) is a Florida endemic perennial wildflower that blooms May through July. It is fire-dependent and occurs naturally in coastal pinelands, seeps, and wet savannas. It is a state-listed endangered species and a US-listed threatened species. White birds-in-a-nest gets its common name from the way its white flowers and buds resemble bird heads and eggs nestled within a green nest that is formed by the flower’s bracts.
“Flower Friday” is a weekly profile of a different Florida native wildflower.
Grassleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia graminifolia) is a Florida endemic perennial wildflower. Its brick-red solitary blooms are distinctly different than most Florida Rudbeckia species. It typically flowers in summer and occurs naturally savannas and along moist roadsides.
Also known as Seaside prairie-gentian or Catchfly prairie-gentian, Marsh gentian (Eustoma exaltatum) is an annual wildflower with showy purple to lavender (or sometimes white) flowers. It can bloom throughout the year and occurs naturally in salt marshes, dunes, and coastal flats.
Lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus) is a perennial aquatic wildflower. Its tiny, white blooms are borne in early spring through summer and attract a variety of pollinators. They are also eaten by foraging ducks such as wood ducks. Both the common and genus name refer to the flower’s resemblance to a lizard’s tail.
Also known as Mountain azalea, Sweet pinxter azalea (Rhododendron canescens) is a deciduous flowering shrub. Its showy pinkish- to rose-colored flowers bloom in spring in pine flatwoods, mesic hammocks, bay swamps, and floodplain and slope forests. They attract a number of pollinators, including hummingbirds.
Parrot pitcherplant (Sarracenia psittacina) is a carnivorous perennial plant. It typically flowers in April and May and occurs naturally in seepage slopes, wet prairies, depression marshes, dome swamps, and bogs. Parrot pitcherplant is a state listed threatened species. Its species name psittacina means “of or relating to parrots” and refers to the shape of the flower resembling the head of a parrot.