Phone: (407) 935- 0002 ext: 128 Fax: (407) 935- 0005

E-mail: osceola@floridainvasives.org

Native Plant Alternatives to Non-Native Invasive Plants

in the Landscape

A non-native invasive plant is defined

as a plant that is outside of its natural

range that has formed a self-sustaining

and expanding population that out-

competes all other plants. Non-native

invasive plants change the landscape,

can be harmful to wildlife, increase the

threat of fire and flooding, and can im-

pact recreational activities on land and

water. Native plants, when sited appro-

priately, can require less maintenance,

less water and fertilizer, are less sus-

ceptible to pests and diseases, are ben-

eficial to birds, butterflies and other

wildlife, help prevent erosion, increase

water quality and create the diversity

that is required for a healthy ecosystem

here in central Florida. The University

of Florida IFAS extension has identi-

fied thirteen non-native invasive plants

that are commonly found in central

Florida and selected several native

plant alternatives for each.

Why native plants?

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep468

Hamelia patens (Fire bush)

www.floridainvasives.org/Osceola

Passiflora incarnata (Passion flower)

Helianthus debilis (Beach sunflower)

Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Native Plant Alternatives to Non-Native Invasive Plants

Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name

Sweet acacia Acacia farnesiana

Marlberry Ardisia escallonioides

Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis

Fringe tree Chionanthus virginicus

Firebush Hamelia patens

Chickasaw plum Prunus umbellata

Gallberry Ilex glabra

Dwarf yaupon holly Ilex vomitoria

Wild coffee Psychotria nervosa

Southern red cedar Juniperus silicicola

Red cedar Juniperus virginiana

Pine Pinus spp. (native)

Sand live oak Quercus geminata

Bald cypress

Taxodium distichum

var. distichum

Pond cypress

Taxodium distichum

var. imbricarium

Dahoon holly Ilex cassine

Southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora

Sweet bay Magnolia virginiana

Red bay Persea borbonia

Live oak Quercus virginiana

Winged elm Ulmus alata

Golden canna Canna flaccida

Pickerelweed Pontederia cordata

Arrowhead Sagittaria spp. (native)

Moonflower Ipomoea alba

Purple passionflower Passiflora incarnata

Corkystem passion vine Passiflora suberosa

Native Plant Alternative

Casuarina

equisetifolia

Australian pine

Cinnamomum

camphora

Camphor tree

Albizia julibrissinMimosa

Ardisia crenataCoral ardisia

Invasive Plant

Elephant ear

Dioscorea bulbiferaAir potato

Colocasia esculenta

Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name

Blue daze

Evolvulus glomeratus

subsp. grandiflorus

Beach sunflower Helianthus debilis

Pineland lantana Lantana depressa

Wild sage Lantana involucrata

Tropical sage Salvia coccinea

Porterweed Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Florida leucothoe Agarista populifolia

Fiddlewood Citharexylum spinosum

Firebush Hamelia patens

Gallberry Ilex glabra

Florida anise Illicium floridianum

Star anise Illicium parviflorum

Virginia sweetspire Itea virginica

Walter's viburnum Vibrunum obovatum

Florida leucothoe Agarista populifolia

Virginia sweetspire Itea virginica

Starry rosinweed Silphium asteriscus

Blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium

Blue porterweed Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Stokes' aster Stokesia laevis

Red maple Acer rubrum

River birch Betula nigra

Fiddlewood Citharexylum spinosum

Firebush Hamelia patens

Oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia

Dahoon holly Ilex cassine

Yaupon holly Ilex vomitoria

Walter's viburnum Vibrunum obovatum

Firewheel Gaillardia pulchella

Dune sunflower Helianthus debilis

Powder puff Mimosa stigillosa

Native Plant Alternative

Lantana

Ligustrum sinenseChinese privet

Invasive Plant

Lantana camara

Sphagneticola

trilobata (Wedelia

trilobata)

Wedelia

Triadica sebiferumChinese tallow tree,

Popcorn tree

Schinus

terebinthifolius

Brazilian pepper

Nandina domesticaHeavenly bamboo

Ruellia simplexMexican petunia

For more information about native plants check out: http://www.AFNN.org