Verbenaceae

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum), a native plant of Florida, the West Indies, and South America. It details the plant’s characteristics, including its glossy leaves, white flowers, and orange to black fruit. The fiddlewood is described as a versatile plant suitable for various uses such as hedges, screens, and reclamation projects. It thrives in a range of soil types and conditions, demonstrating high drought tolerance and moderate salt tolerance. The document also highlights the plant’s minimal pest issues and its adaptability to different planting environments. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.

Brent Sellers, Ed Jennings, andJason Ferrell

A UF/IFAS numbered Management. Published by Plant Systems

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

The publication provides an overview of the ‘Imagination’ verbena, a perennial ground cover well-suited for Florida landscapes. This plant, which won the All American Selections award in 1993, features deep violet-blue or purple flowers that bloom in clusters atop its 12-inch-tall stems. It thrives in full sun and various soil types, including sand, loam, and clay. The ‘Imagination’ verbena is noted for its high drought tolerance and ability to spread, making it an excellent choice for erosion control and attracting butterflies. First published Oct. 1999. 

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, Ryan Klein, andGail Hansen
Other Contacts: Keighly Graves, Claire Lewis, andWendy Wilber

This document provides an in-depth look at Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, commonly known as Blue Porterweed. It describes the plant’s characteristics, including its growth habits, appearance, and flowering patterns. The document highlights the plant’s uses in landscaping, such as hedges, borders, and mass plantings, and its ability to attract butterflies. Additionally, it covers the plant’s preferred growing conditions, including light, soil, and water requirements, as well as its high drought tolerance and minimal pest issues. Original publication date October 1999. 

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of the beach verbena, a native plant of Florida’s coastal areas. This perennial ground cover is known for its purple or lavender flowers and fine-textured foliage. It thrives in full sun and sandy soils, making it an excellent dune stabilizer. The plant’s stems creep along the ground, rooting to bind the sand and prevent erosion. Despite its resilience to salt air and water, the beach verbena is endangered in the wild. The text emphasizes its use in landscaping for ground cover, attracting butterflies, and naturalizing coastal areas. First published Oct. 1999. 

Edward F. Gilman, Keighly Graves, Wendy Wilber, Tom Wichman, Claire Lewis, Gail Hansen, andRyan Klein

Japanese beautyberry is a woody deciduous shrub which is notable for its delicate pink flowers and showy purple berries. It is smaller than the American beautyberry and may be used in a variety of ways such as foundation plantings, borders or screening, attracting wildlife, used in containers or planted in mass.

Keighly Graves, Wendy Wilber, Tom Wichman, Claire Lewis, Gail Hansen, andRyan Klein

American beautyberry is a woody deciduous shrub native to Florida which produces small pink flowers, followed by showy purple berries. It is a very hardy plant suited for many uses in the landscape including as a foundation, border, mass planting, used in a container, or for naturalizing.

Michael G. Andreu, Melissa H. Friedman, Mary McKenzie, Heather V. Quintana, and Robert J. Northrop

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.