Yellow Colicroot can dominate moist to wet roadsides during its mid to late spring flowering period. The stiffly erect, 3′ stem arises from a flattened whorl of ground-hugging leaves and is terminated by a spike-like inflorescence of bright yellow, tubular flowers.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Two species of Blue Star occur in the panhandle, one in wet woodlands, the other, pictured here, along the backslope of dry, sandy roadsides. The stem is about 2′ tall with very narrow leaves and is topped by a showy cluster of pale blue, star-shaped flowers.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Milkweeds are most easily recognized by their unique flowers and best known for their attractiveness to butterflies. Some are low-growing, others tall and conspicuous. Flower color ranges from white to lavender, green, yellow, or bright orange-red. Lanceleaf Milkweed, shown here, can be 3-4′ tall, which makes it a conspicuous component of wet roadside ditches.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
This large, shrubby bean stands 3-4′ tall. In early to mid spring it produces numerous tall, showy racemes of creamy white pea flowers that are unmistakable. It prefers moist open roadsides in full sun.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Greeneyes takes its name from its flower heads, which have a round green disk at the center of 8 bright yellow rays. The stem is 8-32″ tall with conspicuous 4″ leaves. It is most often seen in dry, open, sandy roadsides.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Several species of Grasspink Orchids occur along the routes recommended here. All have “upside-down” flowers, with the lip petal pointing upward rather than downward. The patch of showy hairs at the top of the lip resemble stamens and are an adaptation designed to attract bees and other pollinators.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
The tubular, orange-red flowers of trumpet
creeper make their first appearance
in late spring but continue into summer.
This is a high-climbing woody vine with
lacy leaves. Look for it scaling trees and
shrubs just off the road shoulder.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
The several thistles that occur along
Florida’s roadsides are among our most
distinctive wildflowers. Although their
flower structure is similar, flower color
can range from yellow to pinkish, or
purplish. Bull thistle, shown here, is
characterized by a treacherous nest
of prickly, leaflike bracts under the flower head.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Coreopsis is Florida’s state wildflower. Fourteen species occur in the state. Most have yellow flowers, like the Lanceleaf Coreopsis pictured here. The ray flowers of many species are notched at the tip, a conspicuous identifying feature. Lanceleaf Coreopsis is one of Florida’s more common, showy spring wildflowers.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Our only pink-flowered Coreopsis is found mostly in the panhandle. Plants can grow to 5′ tall and often occur in large showy colonies, with numerous flower heads adding a conspicuous splash of color to wet ditches. Pink Coreopsis is common along several of the recommended routes.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
