The attractive lavender or purple flowers of our several False foxgloves are harbingers of autumn. Most begin to flower in late summer but are at their best in September and October. About a dozen species occur in our region, many of which are difficult to distinguish from each other.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Honeycomb Head usually occurs in large showy populations, with literally thousands of plants stretching across the wet savannas of the Apalachicola National Forest. Two species occur in our region, including one that prefers dry, sandy roadsides. Both bloom in autumn.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
These single-stemmed, fall-blooming
herbs range from 1-5’ tall. All have
numerous densely packed heads of tiny
purple flowers. Most occur in large,
conspicuous colonies that are especially
notable when flowers are present.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Blue mistflower is a sure sign that autumn
has arrived, or is certainly not far
away. Spreading rapidly by underground
runners, this aggressive perennial forms
large colonies of 1-3’-tall plants. The
numerous compact heads of deep blue or
purple flowers add significant charm to
October roadsides.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
It is not difficult to see how Ladies Hatpins got their name. The erect, 1-3′ tall, arrow-straight stem topped by a button-like cluster of creamy white flowers suggests a knitting needle. These clump-forming perennials are denizens of wet roadside ditches and often occur in large, conspicuous colonies.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
At least half of the nearly 20 Thoroughworts that grace Florida’s roadsides occur in the panhandle. All have tiny white flowers borne in congested heads at the top of a branched inflorescence. Look for them in summer and fall.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Sunflowers are among the showiest of our fall wildflowers, providing ornament to moist road shoulders and the bottoms of wet roadside ditches. Most have large flower heads with numerous yellow rays encircling a brown or yellow center. Our only exception is the common and abundant Rayless Sunflower, shown elsewhere in this app, which has the dark brown head, but lacks the yellow rays.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Rayless Sunflower stands in stark contrast to Florida’s other Helianthus species. Although its flower head lacks the bright yellow rays associated with most species, its dark brown disk more than makes up for the loss. Its sheer abundance in wet savannas and ditches ensures it won’t be missed.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
More than 20 species of St. John’s-wort occur in the panhandle, many along roadsides and woodland margins. All have yellow, 4- or 5-petaled flowers with a brush-like mass of yellow stamens. The one shown here makes its appearance in spring, but one or another of the species is flowering spring through fall.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
The showy blossoms of most Morning Glories fade quickly as the day progresses. The flowers of Tievine, pictured here, are funnel-shaped, less than 2″ long, and range in color from pink to rose-purple. It is conspicuous as it scrambles over roadside vegetation in late summer and autumn.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
