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.
The Daisy Fleabanes are among the most common roadside wildflowers. The several species are easily recognized by their daisy-like flower heads with a dark center surrounded by numerous small, laterally spreading rays. At least four species occur in the panhandle, all of which ornament our road shoulders in spring and early summer.
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.
The disheveled appearance of the thin, creamy white rays surrounding a dark-brown center sets this species apart from other asters. Its Florida range is restricted to the several counties of the central panhandle, and it is not uncommon along roadsides in early summer, especially in the Apalachicola National Forest.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Redroot makes its appearance in late May, but reaches its peak in mid to late June. Its 2′ stem is crowned by a white and yellow inflorescence and is very showy. Large populations of several hundred plants often occupy wet roadside ditches and are easily spotted, even at highway speed.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Not many Sedges make the list of showy bloomers. Our two species of White-topped Sedge are the exceptions. The white structures below the flowers are actually leaf-like bracts, but their effect is that of flower petals.
More information at Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Rosegentians are summer delights. About a dozen species occur in the panhandle, some with white flowers, others with pink flowers. Roadside species usually have 5 or 10 petals. Pictured here is Bartram’s Rosegentian, a bright pink, 10-petaled form.
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.
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.
