Bearded Grass-pink (Calopogon barbatus) (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve) This beautiful terrestrial wild orchid is a threatened species in Florida.

This gallery contains photos of various native wildflowers. I have separate galleries for Carphephorus species and for Pityopsis graminifolia (SIlkgrass).

Please click on the thumbnails to view an image in a larger size and to read more about them.

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Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Asclepias tuberosa, aka Butterfly Weed or Orange Milkplant with Phaon Crescent Butterflies in the Ocala National Forest

Butterfly Weed is a tuberous-rooted perennial that grows throughout Florida. Along with other milkweeds, it is a host plant for Queen, Monarch and other butterflies. As seen here, it is obviously also a great nectaring plant. We came upon this small lone plant alongside a road in the Ocala National Forest where it was the main event for these two butterflies. I have no experience with it so far beyond that -- it does not seem to be readily available for sale.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Bearded Grass-pink (Calopogon barbatus) (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve)

This beautiful terrestrial wild orchid is a threatened species in Florida.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Bidens alba, aka Spanish needle or Beggar-ticks with Monarch Butterfly and a fly (tachinid?)

Spanish needle is an annoying, common weed to most gardener's here. It likes full sun (or not!) gets 2-3 feet tall (or more) and blooms much of the year. Butterflies and other nectaring insects adore it, which is why after years of trying to control it in my yard, I now allow it to grow in some of the wilder places in my backyard (where the neighbors can't see it!). It is a host plant for the Dainty Sulphur butterfly. This one was photographed at Largo Nature Park.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Blue-eyed Grass -- who doesn't love flowers this color? As the name indicates, the foliage is low and grassy. In the spring these beautiful small flowers make their appearance. The plant prefers moist areas in full sun. I have a small patch growing in one corner of my yard at the end of a down-slope by the street.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Clematis baldwinii -- Pine Hyacinth -- A very charming little clematis with these lovely bell shaped flowers. I was lucky to receive a few of these from a friend, and it now grows next to a little water feature along my front walkway, making a small tangled mound. Although I understand it is a plant of flatwoods, I've also seen it growing wild at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve in the springtime on ground that was recently burned.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Cron Snakeroot (Eryngium aquaticum) with femal Roseate Skimmer dragonfly (Largo)

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) (Largo)

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Goldenrod flower gone to seed (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve)

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Iris hexagona, aka Dixie Iris/Prairie Iris in bloom at Largo Nature Preserve

Grows in wet areas, swamps in full sun to partial shade to 3 or 4 feet tall. Blooms in the spring. I planted some by my small "bird creek" in 2004 (I think). It grows very well and spreads in the partial shade there, but has not bloomed. I plan to move it to the sunnier front yard. I don't know of any connection to wildlife, but with blue flowers this beautiful, who cares?

Bearded Grass-pink (Calopogon barbatus) (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve)

This beautiful terrestrial wild orchid is a threatened species in Florida.

Other sizes: Small • M • L • O • save photo |

Keywords: flower prairie orchid wildflower florida native vertical kissimmee prairie kppsp

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