The lavender-blue flowers of Lyreleaf Sage often dominate early spring roadsides. Plants average 1-2′ tall, with a single, upright stalk, and a whorl-like cluster of ground-hugging leaves.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Northwest Florida is well known for its assortment of insectivorous Pitcher Plants, at least 4 of which can be seen along our recommended roadsides. The conspicuous trumpet-like leaves of the Yellow Pitcher Plant, shown here, can be 2′ tall. All can be seen along wet to moist roadsides, especially along SR 65 and the Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Natural and prescribed fire is a well-known wildflower catalyst. This is certainly true of Crowpoison, which sends up its slender 3′ stems and cone-shaped inflorescences within days or weeks following a growing season burn. The small individual flowers start out white, but turn purplish as they age.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Several blue-flowered Asters are found along panhandle roadsides. Scaleleaf Aster, shown here, is a low-growing species with tiny, awl-shaped leaves that point upward and tightly hug the stem. Chapman’s Aster has similar flowers but grows much taller, with a slender arching stem that is nearly devoid of leaves.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
You’ll have to find a shady, hardwood forest to see our native Trilliums. The leaves of these long-lived perennials make their annual appearance in late winter and flower in early spring, well before the trees put on new leaves. Chattahoochee Nature Park, Torreya State Park, and Jackson Mounds are good destinations to search for these interesting plants.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Rain lilies often flower immediately
following a downpour. Two species occur
in our region. Both have shiny green,
grass-like leaves, and white, trumpet-shaped
flowers. One species grows along
the margins of moist roadside ditches,
the other mostly in shady hardwood
forests. They are very similar.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
