Selecting

Plants

for

Pollinators

A Guide for Gardeners, Farmers, and Land Managers In the

Everglades Province

Including South Florida Table of CONTENTS

Why Support Pollinators? 4

Getting Started 5

Everglades Province 6

Meet the Pollinators 8

Plant Traits 10

Developing Plantings 12

Farms 13

Public Lands 14

Home Landscapes 15

Plants That Attract Pollinators 16

Habitat hints 22

Habitat and Nesting requirements 23

S.H.A.R.E. 24

Checklist 24

This is one of several guides for different regions of North America. Resources and Feedback 25 We welcome your feedback to assist us in making the future guides Notes 26 useful. Please contact us at [email protected]

2 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Selecting Plants for Pollinators

A Guide for

Gardeners, Farmers,

and Land Managers

In the

Everglades

Province

Including South Florida

A NAPPC and Pollinator Partnership Publication

This guide was funded by the U.S. Forest Service with oversight by the Pollinator Partnership (www.pollinator.org), in support of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC-www.nappc.org).

Everglades Province 3 Why support pollinators?

In their 1996 book, The Forgotten Pollinators, Buchmann and Nabhan estimated that animal pollinators are needed for the reproduction “Flowering plants of 90% of flowering plants and one third of human food crops. Each of us depends on these industrious pollinators in a practical way to provide us with the wide range of foods we eat. In addition, pollinators are part of the across wild, intricate web that supports the biological diversity in natural ecosystems that helps sustain our quality of life. farmed and even Abundant and healthy populations of pollinators can improve fruit set and quality, and increase fruit size. In farming situations this increases production per hectare. In the wild, biodiversity increases and wildlife urban landscapes food sources increase. Sugarcane, citrus, tomatoes, watermelons, peppers, cotton, peanuts, snap beans, and potatoes are some of the crop types grown actually feed the in the Everglades ecoregion that rely on honey bees and native bees for pollination. Honey bees pollinate more than $1 billion worth of crops in the United States each year. terrestrial world, Unfortunately, the numbers of many native pollinators are declining. They are threatened by habitat loss, disease, climate change, and the excessive and pollinators and inappropriate use of pesticides. As a result research and conservation actions supporting native pollinators are increasingly active. Honey bee colony losses have significantly impacted beekeepers. Parasites, disease, are the great pesticide use, insufficient nutrition, and transportation practices all impact honey bee health, and this in turn can impact the commercial pollination services honey bees provide. The efforts to understand the threats to connectors who commercial bees should help us understand other pollinators and their roles in the environment as well. enable this giant It is imperative that we take immediate steps to help pollinator populations thrive. The beauty of the situation is that by supporting pollinators’ need for habitat, we support our own needs for food and support diversity in the food system to natural world. Thank you for taking time to consult this guide. By adding plants to your work for all who landscape that provide food and shelter for pollinators throughout their active seasons and by adopting pollinator friendly landscape practices, you can make a difference to both the pollinators and the people that rely on them. eat... Including us.”

Laurie Davies Adams – Roger Lang, Chairman, President and CEO Pollinator Partnership Pollinator Partnership

4 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Getting Started

This regional guide is just of Bailey’s ecosystem classification. Long before there were homes and one in a series of plant selection The Baliey’s ecosystem classification farms in the Everglades ecoregion, tools designed to provide you with at the province level is a description natural vegetation provided information on how to plant local of vegetation or other natural land essential opportunities for wildlife, native plants for pollinators. Each covers within domains with similar including pollinators. Farmers, land of us can have a positive impact climates. This guide addresses managers, and gardeners in this by providing the essential habitat pollinator-friendly land management region have a wide palette of plants requirements for pollinators practices in what is known as the to use in the landscape. In choosing including food, water, shelter, and Everglades ecoregion. plants, aim to create habitat for enough space to raise their young. pollinators that allow adequate food, The seasonal cycle of sun and shade shelter, and water sources. Most Pollinators travel through the within the forests has created a pollinators have very small home landscape without regard to changing pattern of bloom time for ranges. You will make a difference property ownership or provincial food plants and shelter needs for by understanding the vegetation boundaries. We’ve chosen to use foraging, nesting, and migrating patterns on the farm, forest, or the ecoregional classification system pollinators. Farms and residential neighbor’s yard adjacent to your and to underscore the connections areas provide a diverse range of soil property. With this information in between climate and vegetation types in both sunny and shady areas. hand, your planting choices will types that affect the diversity of With this diversity of locations many better support the pollinators’ need pollinators in the environment. different species of plants may be for food and shelter as they move used to improve pollinator habitats through the landscape. The United States ecoregions are where they are lacking. based on the highest resolution level

Everglades Province 5 Understanding the Everglades Province

n The Everglades ecoregion is located in southern Florida. The topography and hydrology allow for expansive marshlands. The fertile soil and warm climate allow for long growing seasons, and the region is often farmed.

n Not sure about which region you live or work in? Go to www. pollinator.org and click on Ecoregion Locator for help.

n 7,800 square miles in Southern Florida including the Keys.

n The topography includes low coastal plains, swamps, marshes, and moist hardwood forest.

n Elevations ranging from sea level up to 80 ft.

n The average temperature ranges from 72-77°F remaining frost-free for the majority of the year.

n Annual year round precipitation is between 50-64 inches.

n The mild climate patterns and rich soil have led to agricultural and urban development. Photo courtesy of Larry Perez

Characteristics

n Dominant land cover is coastal plain containing swamps and marshes.

n Hardwood forests cover 1/5 of the everglades, and can contain cypress, mangrove, redbay, and mahogany trees.

n Much of the east and west coasts has undergone agricultural and urban development.

6 Selecting Plants for Pollinators “Adding native plantings in riparian areas to Everglades Province includes the counties of: improve pollinator habitat makes sense in

Broward, advancing our family farm’s conservation Collier, and economic objectives, enhancing Hendry, benefi cial wildlife and improving Lee Miami-Dade, pollination in our orchard and garden.” Monroe, – Lee McDaniel, Palm Beach Farmer and President, National Association of Conservation Districts

Everglades Province 7 Meet the Pollinators Who are the tomatoes and blueberries. Sweat bees (family Halictidae) are pollinators? medium to small-sized, slender bees Bees that commonly nest underground. Bees are the best documented Various species are solitary while pollinators in the natural and others form loose colonies, nesting agricultural landscapes of the side-by-side. Other common Everglades ecoregion. A wide range solitary bees include carpenter of plants in the Aster and Citrus bees (Xylocopa virginica), which families are just a few plants that nest by chewing into wood; mining benefit from bee pollinators. bees (Andrena spp.), which nest underground and are common in the Most of us are familiar with the spring; leaf-cutter bees (Megachile colonies of honey bees that have spp.), which prefer dead trees or been the workhorses of agricultural branches for their nest sites; and pollination for years in the United mason bees (Osmia spp.), which States. They were imported from utilize cavities they find in stems and Europe almost 400 years ago and dead wood that they fill with mud. continue to be managed for honey production and pollination services. Butterfl ies There are over 300 species of bees Butterflies prefer open and sunny native to Florida. Most of these bee areas such as meadows and along species live a solitary life; a minority woodland edges that provide bright are social and form colonies or nest Photo courtesy of Tim Dunne Photo courtesy of Tim flowers, water sources, and specific Ruby-throated Hummingbird. in aggregations. host plants for their caterpillars. Native bees visit and pollinate Gardeners have been attracting many crops; in many cases they are butterflies to their gardens for some better at transferring pollen than time. To encourage butterflies place honey bees. Our native bees can be flowering plants where they have encouraged to do more to support full sun and are protected from agricultural endeavors if their needs the wind. They usually look for for nesting habitat are met and if flowers that provide a good landing suitable sources of nectar, pollen, platform. Butterflies need open and water are provided. Bees come areas (e.g., bare earth, large stones) in a variety of body shapes and sizes, where they can bask, and moist Pipevine Swallowtail and even have tongues of different soil from which they wick needed lengths. Native bees visit the widest minerals. Butterflies eat rotten fruit range of flowers and crops of any and even dung, so don’t clean up pollinator group. all the messes in your garden! By providing a safe place to eat and Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) form nest, gardeners can also support the small colonies, usually underground pollination role that butterflies play making use of old rodent burrows or in the landscape. In the Everglades dense thatches. They are generalists, ecoregion it is common to see the feeding on a wide range of plant Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), types from May to September and Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis), Cassius are important pollinators of Blue (Leptotes cassius), and Monarch (Danaus plexippus). Photo courtesy of Alan Schmierer

8 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Moths (Bombyliidae), and tiny midges found feeding on fruit, nectar, and Moths are most easily distinguished pollen. The head shape and long from butterflies by their antennae. that visit many plant species. Like tongues of nectar bats allows them Butterfly antennae are simple with a bees, flies are hairy and can easily to delve into flower blossoms and swelling at the end. Moth antennae transport pollen from flower to extract both pollen and nectar; differ from simple to featherlike, flower. Flies primarily pollinate pollen covers their hairy bodies and but never have a swelling at the tip. small flowers that bloom under is transfer as they move from plant Butterfly bodies are not very hairy, shade and in seasonally moist to plant. while moth bodies are quite hairy habitats, but are also economically and much more stout. In addition, important as pollinators for a range butterflies typically are active of annual and bulbous ornamental during the day; moths at night. flowers. Plants pollinated by flies They are attracted to flowers that include the American pawpaw Species at Risk are strongly sweet smelling, open (Asimina triloba), skunk cabbage in late afternoon or night, and are (Symplocarpus foetidus), goldenrod Species at Risk include endangered typically white or pale colored. (Solidago spp.), and members of the species, such as the Miami Blue carrot family. butterfly, as well as threatened Beetles and special concern species. Some There are more than 4,600 species Birds pollinator species, such as the of beetles in Florida, with 559 Hummingbirds are the primary Rockland Meske’s skipper have species confirmed to be native. birds that play a role in pollination already been extirpated from Many of them can be found easily in North America. Their long beaks Florida. Other species are of by looking inside flower heads. and tongues draw nectar from conservation concern because of Gardeners have yet to intentionally tubular flowers. Pollen is carried their rarity in Florida, but their draw beetles to their gardens, on both their beaks and feathers. formal conservation status has yet possibly because beetle watching Regions closer to the tropics, to be determined. isn’t as inspiring as butterfly or with warmer climates, boast the Miami Blue butterfly bird watching. Yet beetles do play largest number of hummingbird a role in pollination. Some have a species and the greatest number • The Miami Blue is a small species bad reputation because they can of native plants to support their of butterfly with an average leave a mess behind, damaging need for food. The Ruby-throated wingspan of 1 inch. plant parts as they eat pollen. Beetle Hummingbird (archilochus colubris) • A single colony was found pollinated plants tend to be large, is the most common species in on Mainland Florida in 1999 strong scented flowers and have the Florida. after not being seen for 7 years. anthers and stigma exposed. Beetles Hummingbirds can see the color Currently there is only one known are known to pollinate magnolia, red; bees cannot. Many tropical population remaining in Key West paw paws, and yellow pond lilies. flowers grown as annuals in the National Wildlife Refuge. Everglades ecoregion, along with Flies native woodland edge plants, attract • Captive breeding programs are in place to help bolster population. It may be hard to imagine why hummingbirds. one would want to attract flies • Threats to Miami Blue butterfly to the garden. However, flies are B ats populations are due to habitat one of the most diverse group Though the bat species native loss and invasive species. In 1992 of pollinators. They include to Florida are not pollinators, Hurricane Andrew almost caused colouful flower flies and hover accidental species from more the species to go extinct. flies (Syrphidae), active bee flies tropical regions can sometimes be

Everglades Province 9 Plant Traits and the Pollinators they Attract Pollinator Pollinator Which Flowers Plant Plant Do the Trait Bees Beetles Birds Butterflies Flies Moths Wind Pollinators Trait prefer? Pale and dull to Dull green, brown, Bright white, Scarlet, Dull white or Bright, including dark brown or Pale and dull red, or colorless; Not all pollinators are found yellow, orange, red Color green Color red and purple purple; flecked with purple, pink or white petals absent in each province, and some are blue, or UV or white more important in different parts of translucent patches or reduced the United States. Use this page as a resource to understand the plants and pollinators where you live. Nectar Present Absent Absent Nectar Present Absent Absent Absent Guides Guides Plants can be grouped together based on the similar characteristics None to of their flowers. These floral Fresh, mild, Strong sweet; strongly fruity None Faint but fresh Putrid None characteristics can be useful to Odor pleasant Odor emitted at night predict the type of pollination or fetid method or animal that is most effective for that group of plants. Sometimes Ample; Ample; Ample; This association between floral Usually present present; Usually absent None characteristics and pollination Nectar deeply hidden Nectar deeply hidden deeply hidden method is called a pollination not hidden syndrome. Limited; often Abundant; small, The interactions of animal pollinators and plants have Pollen sticky Ample Modest Pollen Limited Modest in amount Limited smooth, and influenced the evolution of both and scented not sticky groups of organisms. A mutualistic relationship between the pollinator Shallow; Large funnel and the plant species helps the Narrow tube have landing Large bowl-like, like; cups, Shallow; funnel like or Regular; tubular Regular; small and pollinator find necessary pollen and Flower Flower with spur; nectar sources and helps the plant platform; Magnolia strong perch complex and trap-like without a lip stigmas exerted Shape Shape wide landing pad reproduce by ensuring that pollen is tubular support carried from one flower to another.

This chart and more information on pollinator syndromes can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/syndromes.shtml

10 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Plant Traits and the Pollinators they Attract Pollinator Pollinator Plant Plant Trait Bees Beetles Birds Trait Butterflies Flies Moths Wind Pale and dull to Dull green, brown, Bright white, Scarlet, Dull white or Bright, including dark brown or Pale and dull red, or colorless; yellow, orange, red Color green Color red and purple purple; flecked with purple, pink or white petals absent blue, or UV or white translucent patches or reduced

Nectar Present Absent Absent Nectar Present Absent Absent Absent Guides Guides None to Fresh, mild, Strong sweet; strongly fruity None Faint but fresh Putrid None Odor pleasant Odor emitted at night or fetid

Sometimes Ample; Ample; Ample; Usually present present; Usually absent None Nectar deeply hidden Nectar deeply hidden deeply hidden not hidden

Limited; often Abundant; small, Pollen sticky Ample Modest Pollen Limited Modest in amount Limited smooth, and and scented not sticky

Shallow; Large funnel Narrow tube have landing Large bowl-like, like; cups, Shallow; funnel like or Regular; tubular Regular; small and Flower Flower with spur; platform; Magnolia strong perch complex and trap-like without a lip stigmas exerted Shape Shape wide landing pad tubular support

This chart and more information on pollinator syndromes can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/syndromes.shtml

Everglades Province 11 Developing landscape plantings that provide pollinator habitat

Whether you are a farmer of chives, parsley and lavender are can move safely through the many acres, land manager of a large just a few herbs that can be planted. landscape protected from predators. tract of land, or a gardener with Old fashioned zinnias, cosmos, and • Include plants that are needed a small lot, you can increase the single sunflowers support bees and by butterflies during their larval number of pollinators in your area by butterflies. Non-native crops, herbs, development. making conscious choices to include and ornamental flowers should only plants that provide essential habitat be planted in gardens. Water: for bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, • Recognize weeds that might be a A clean, reliable source of water is hummingbirds and other pollinators. good source of food. For example, essential to pollinators. dandelions provide nectar in the • Natural and human-made water Food: early spring before other flowers features such as running water, Flowers provide nectar (high in open. Milkweed is a host for the pools, ponds, and small containers sugar and necessary amino acids) Monarch butterfly. of water provide drinking and and pollen (high in protein) to • Learn and utilize Integrated Pest bathing opportunities for pollinators. pollinators. Management (IPM) practices to • Ensure the water sources have Fermenting fallen fruits also provide address pest concerns. Minimize or a shallow or sloping side so the food for bees, beetles and butterflies. eliminate the use of pesticides. pollinators can easily approach the Specific plants, known as host water without drowning. plants, are eaten by the larvae of Shelter: Your current landscape probably pollinators such as butterflies. Pollinators need protection from includes many of these elements. • Plant in groups to increase severe weather and from predators as Observe wildlife activity in your farm pollination efficiency. If a pollinator well as sites for nesting and roosting. fields, woodlands, and gardens to can visit the same type of flower • Incorporate different canopy determine what actions you can take over and over, it doesn’t have to layers in the landscape by planting to encourage other pollinators to feed relearn how to enter the flower trees, shrubs, and different-sized and nest. Evaluate the placement of and can transfer pollen to the same perennial plants. individual plants and water sources species, instead of squandering the • Leave dead snags for nesting sites and use your knowledge of specific pollen on unreceptive flowers. of bees, and other dead plants and pollinator needs to guide your choice • Plant with bloom season in mind, leaf litter for shelter. and placement of additional plants providing food from early spring to • Avoid applying thick layers of and other habitat elements. Minor late fall. (see Bloom Periods pp.16-19) mulch that are hard to dig through. changes by many individuals can • Plant a diversity of plants to • Build bee boxes to encourage positively impact the pollinator support a variety of pollinators. solitary, non-aggressive bees to nest populations in your area. Watch Flowers of different color, on your property. for - and enjoy - the changes in your fragrance, and season of bloom • Ground nesting bees are also landscape! on plants of different heights will attracted to lawns and short grass • CAUTION LAND MANAGERS: attract different pollinator species areas, especially if there is a south Remember that pesticides are and provide pollen and nectar facing slope. largely toxic to pollinators. throughout the seasons. • Leave some areas of soil uncovered Extreme caution is warranted if • Many herbs and annuals, although to provide ground nesting insects you choose to use any pesticide. not native, are very good for easy access to underground tunnels. Strategically apply pesticides only pollinators. Mint, oregano, garlic, • Group plantings so that pollinators for problematic target species.

12 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Farms

Watermelon, lima bean, carrot, • Consider using Integrated Pest • Ensure water sources are scattered squash are a few of the food crops Management (IPM) strategies to throughout the landscape. in the Everglades Province that control pests. Use insecticides that • Choose a variety of native plants to will benefit from strong native bee cause the least harm to non-target act as windbreaks, riparian buffers, populations that boost pollination organisms and only use when pests and field borders throughout the efficiency. Incorporate different reach economic thresholds. farm. plants throughout the farm that • Be conscientious of the fact that • Plant unused areas of the farm provide food for native populations different bees forage at different with temporary cover crops that when targeted crops are not in times of day. Peponapsis pruinosa, the can provide food or with a variety flower. squash bee, is active from dawn of trees, shrubs, and flowers that until noon. In the case of squash provide both food and shelter for Farmers have many opportunities production, the best time to spray is pollinators. to incorporate pollinator-friendly in the evening rather than the early • Check with your local Natural land management practices on their morning. Resources Conservation Service land which will benefit the farmer • Carefully consider the use of (NRCS) office to see what technical in achieving his or her production herbicides. Some weeds can provide support might be available to assist goals: needed food for pollinators. you in your effort to provide nectar, • Minimize tillage to protect ground pollen, and larval food sources for • Minimize the use of pesticides nesting pollinators. pollinators on your farm. to reduce the impact on native • Consider creating designated pollinators. Spray when bees aren’t permanently untilled areas for active (just before dawn) and choose ground nesting bees along internal targeted ingredients. farm laneways. Illustrations by Carolyn Vibbert

Everglades Province 13 Public Lands

Public lands are maintained for understand the importance of specific reasons ranging from high pollinators in the environment impact recreation to conservation. through signs, brochures, and public In the Everglades, marshland programs. and mangroves have been In an effort to increase populations altered to allow for roads, energy of pollinators the land manager can: infrastructure, buildings, open lawn • Inventory and become areas, boat ramps, and vistas. These knowledgeable of local pollinators. other lands can provide benefits to • Provide connectivity between pollinator when managed correctly. vegetation areas by creating Pollinators are encouraged by timed corridors of perennials, shrubs, and mowing, opening tree canopies, and trees that provide pollinators shelter planting of native flowers. Less and food as they move through the disturbed natural areas can be landscape. augmented with plantings of native • Maintain a minimum of lawn areas plant species. Existing plantings that support recreational needs. around buildings and parking areas • Restrict the use of insecticides and should be evaluated to determine herbicides. if pollinator-friendly plants can • Provide water sources in large be substituted or added to attract open areas. and support pollinators. Public • Maintain natural meadows and land managers have a unique openings that provide habitats for opportunity to use their plantings sun-loving wildflowers and grasses. as an education tool to help others • Remove invasive species.

14 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Home Landscapes

Gardeners have a wide array of The scale of your plantings will vary plants to use in their gardens. but it is important to remember Native plants, plants introduced that you are trying to provide from years of plant exploration connectivity to the landscape from around the world, and plants adjacent to your property. Don’t developed by professional and just look within your property amateur breeders can be found in boundaries. If your neighbor’s garden centers, in catalogs, and on property provides an essential web-sites. Use your knowledge of element, such as water, which can pollinator needs and the plant list in be utilized by pollinators visiting this document to guide your choices. your land, you may be able to • Choose a variety of plants that devote more space to habitat will provide nectar and pollen elements that are missing nearby. throughout the growing season. It is best to use native plants which • Resist the urge to have a totally have evolved to support the needs manicured lawn and garden. Leave of specific native pollinators. Some bare ground for ground nesting pollinators, however, are generalists bees. Leave areas of dead wood and and visit many different plants, both leaf litter for other insects. native and non-native. Be sure that • Find local resources to help you any non-native plants you choose in your efforts. Contact your local to use are not invasive. Remember garden club or, county extension that specialized cultivars sometimes agent, or native plant society. Visit aren’t used by pollinators. Flowers your regional botanic gardens and that have been drastically altered, arboreta. such as cultivars with double petals or completely different color than the wild species, often prevent pollinators from finding and feeding on the flowers. In addition, some cultivars don’t contain the same nectar and pollen resources that attract pollinators to the wild types.

• CAUTION: Take time to evaluate the source of your plant material. You want to ensure you get plants that are healthy and correctly identified. Your local garden club can help you make informed decisions when searching for plants.

Everglades Province 15 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Everglades Province The following chart lists plants that attract pollinators. It is not exhaustive, but provides guidance on where to start. Annuals, herbs, weeds, and cover crops provide food and shelter for pollinators, too.

Common Flower Flower Larval Botanical Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Name Color Season Host Trees and Shrubs Acanthocereus Barbwire catus 6-8’ white Jul-Sept shade moist moths, butterflies x tetragonus Acer rubrum Red maple 30-60’ Red Mar-Apr sun wet to moist bees x sun to partial Amyris elemifera Common torchwod 10-15’ White Year Round moist bees, butterflies, birds x shade sun to partial Annona glabra pond-apple 20-40’ Yellow Apr-Jun wet to moist beetles x shade sun to partial Ardisia escallonioides Marlberry 10-15’ white, pink Jan-Feb moist bees x shade butterflies, bees, Baccharis halimifolia Salt bush 5-10’ white Aug-Oct sun moist to wet x moths Borrichia frutescens Sea-oxeye daisy 3-6’ yellow July-August sun moist butterflies x Pineland sun to partial butterflies, Bourreria cassinifolia 5-7’ white Jan-June moist strongbark shade hummingbirds, birds sun to partial butterflies, Bourreria succulenta Bahama strongbark 10-28’ white Year Round moist shade hummingbirds, birds Bursera simaruba Gumbo-limbo 70-100’ green Jan-Apr sun moist bees, other insects x Callicarpa americana Beautyberry 3-6’ white, pink May-Jul partial shade moist butterflies Casasia clusiifolia Sevenyear-apple 10-36’ white, pink Mar-Jun partial shade moist butterflies x partial shade to Chiococca alba Snowberry 6-10’ white, yellow Feb-Sep moist butterflies, moths x shade moist bees, butterflies, Chrysobalanus icaco Coco-plum 10-36’ white, green Feb-Sept partial shade (seasonally x beetles, wasps inudated) sun to partial Citharexylum spinosum Florida fiddlewood 15-25’ white Year Round moist bees x shade Croton cascarilla Pineland croton 1-3’ white Year Round sun moist butterflies x (Croton linearis) sun to partial Coccoloba diversifolia Pigeonplum 30-40’ green, white Jun-Sept moist bees, butterflies x shade

Coccoloba uvifera Seagrape 10-36’ white Mar-Oct sun moist bees x

sun to partial Coccothrinax argentata silver thatch palm 3-8’ white, yellow Year Round moist butterflies x shade

Conocarpus erectus Buttonwood 36-72’ white Year Round sun wet butterflies, moths x

Cynophalla flexuosa Limber caper 10-20’ white, pink Mar-Sept sun moist bat x

sun to partial Erythrina herbacea Coralbean 6-10’ red May-Jul dry hummingbirds x shade

Eugenia axillaris White Stopper 10-20’ White Jun-Sept partial shade moist moths, bees

16 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Common Flower Flower Larval Botanical Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Name Color Season Host sun to partial Eugenia foetida Spanish Stopper 10-15’ white Jun-Sept moist bees x shade sun to partial Exothea paniculata Inkwood 25-35’ white Mar-Jun moist insects x shade

Ficus aurea Strangler fig 40-60’ N/A Year Round sun moist wasps x

Ficus citrifolia Short-leaf fig 30-40’ N/A Year Round sun moist wasps x

Forestiera segregata Florida privet 8-15’ yellow, green Jun-Jul sun moist bees x

bees, butterflies, Hamelia patens var. Firebush 9-12’ red Year Round sun moist hummingbirds, wasps, x patens moths

Hibiscus coccineus Scarlet Hibiscus 3’ red Jul-Aug sun wet butterflies x

Swamp rose- Hibiscus grandiflorus 4-6’ pink/white Jul-Aug sun moist to wet flies, hummingbirds x mallow sun to partial Hypericum hypericoides St. Andrew’s cross 2-3’ yellow Jun-Sept moist to wet bees x shade sun to partial Ilex cassine Dahoon holly 10-30’ white Mar-Jun moist to wet bees x shade sun to partial Ilex glabra Inkberry 4-6’ white May-Jun moist to wet bees, flies x shade butterflies, moths, Lantana involucrata Butterfly sage 1-3” White, pink Year Round sun to shade dry x ants, bees sun to partial Licania michauxii Gopher-apple 1-5’ white Feb-Sept moist to dry butterflies, bees x shade sun to partial Lysiloma latisiliquum False tamarind 30-35’ White, green Apr-Sept dry to moist butterflies, moths x shade sun to partial Lycium carolinianum Christmasberry 6-8’ purple Apr-Oct wet to moist bees, butterflies x shade Sweetbay sun to partial Magnolia virginiana 10-30’ white Apr-Jul wet moths, beetles x magnolia shade Morus rubra Red mulberry 30-40’ white Mar-Jun sun moist to wet bees, butterflies sun to partial Myrica cerifera Wax myrtle 10-15’ white Mar-Jun moist to wet butterflies x shade sun to partial Nectandra coriacea Lancewood 20-30’ white Mar-Jun moist bees, birds x shade Persea borbonia Red Bay 20-40’ white May-June sun to shade moist bees x seasonally Persea palustris Swamp Bay 15-25’ green May-June sun butterflies , bees x wet Florida fishpoison Piscidia piscipula 25-35’ white, pink Mar-Jun sun moist butterflies , bees x tree

continued on page 18

Everglades Province 17 continued from page 17 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Everglades Province

Common Flower Flower Larval Botanical Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Name Color Season Host Florida Keys white, orange, Pithecellobium keyense 10-15’ Mar-Sept sun moist butterflies x blackbead pink sun to partial Psychotria nervosa Wild coffee 3-6’ white Mar-Sept moist butterflies x shade Quadrella sun to partial Jamaica caper-tree 6-10’ white, pink Apr-Jan moist insects x cynophallophora shade sun to partial Randia aculeata White indigoberry 6-8’ white Year Round moist butterflies x shade moist to Sabal palmetto Cabbage palm 10-40’ white Mar-Sept sun to shade seasonally butterflies, bees x wet or dry Coastal plain Salix caroliniana 15-30’ green, yellow Mar-Apr sun to shade wet to moist bees x willow Sambucus nigra subsp. American elder 20-40’ white May-Jul partial shade wet bees x Canadensis Winglead Sapindus saponaria 15-30’ white May-Jun sun to shade moist bees x soapberry sun to partial Senna ligustrina Privet senna 4-8’ yellow Year Round moist bee, butterflies x shade moist to dry Serenoa repens Saw palmetto 3-6’ white Jun-Sept sun to shade or seasonally butterflies x wet

Sideroxylon salicifolium White bully 20-30’ white, green Mar-Jun sun moist butterflies x

Suriana maritima Baycedar 6-10’ yellow Jun-Jul sun moist butterflies x

Vachellia farnesiana var. Sweet Acacia 8-12’ yellow Nov-Apr sun moist to dry butterflies x farnesiana

Zami intergrifolia Coontie 2-3’ brown, green Jul-Aug sun to shade moist butterflies, beetles x

Zanthoxylum fagara Wild-lime 12-36’ yellow, green Jan-Jun partial shade dry insects x Forbs Hammock sun to partial butterflies, bees, Ageratina jucunda 1-3’ white Oct-Dec moist x snakeroot shade hummingbirds Alternanthera sun to partial Yellow joyweed 3-12” white Mar-Sept moist butterflies x flavescens shade sun to partial butterflies, bees, Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed 3-5” pink, white Jun-Oct wet to moist x shade hummingbirds

Bacopa monnieri Water hyssop 2-4” white, pink May-Oct sun wet to moist bees x

sun to partial bees, bats, Canna flaccida Goldne canna 4-6’ yellow May-Aug wet to moist x shade hummingbirds Chamaecrista Partridge pea 1-3’ yellow Jun-Oct sun moist bees, butterflies x fasciculata

18 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Common Flower Flower Larval Botanical Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Name Color Season Host Bees, wasp, flies, Clematis baldwinii Pine-hyacinth 6-18” purple, pink Year Round sun moist x hummingbirds Conoclinium sun to partial Blue mistflower 1-2’ Blue, pink July-Oct moist to wet butterflies, bees x coelestinum shade Leavenworth’s Coreopsis leavenworthii 1-3’ yellow May-Jul sun wet to moist Butterflies x tickseed butterflies, bees, sun to partial Crinum americanum Swamp lily 15-24” white Jun-Aug wet to moist wasps, beetles, other x shade insects sun to partial Dicliptera sexangularis Carolina ponysfoot 1-4’ red Feb-Nov moist butterflies x shade Rockloan Dyschoriste angusta 4-8” blue, purple Year Round sun moist butterflies x twinflower white, purple, butterflies, bees, Erigeron querifolius Oakleaf fleabane 3-9” Mar-Jun sun moist to wet x yellow moths moist to skippers, Ernodea littoralis Golden creeper 1-3’ white, pink Year Round Sun seasonally x hummingbirds wet Narrowleaf dry to Flaveria lineraris 1-2’ yellow Year Round sun butterflies, bees yellowtops normal red, yellow, sun to partial Gaillardia pulchella Firewheel 1-2’ May-Aug dry butterflies, bees x brown shade

Glandularia maritima Beach verbena 3-12” rose, purple Year Round sun moist butterflies x

Savanna sun to partial Helenium pinnatifidum 8-40” yellow Apr-May moist to wet bees, butterflies x sneezeweed shade East coast dune bees, butterflies, Helianthus debilis 1-2’ yellow Year Round sun moist x sunflower moths Heliotropium sun to partial Scorpionstail 1-3’ White Year Round moist butterflies x angiospermum shade Helitropium Seaside heliotrope 3-12” white Mar-Nov sun moist to wet butterflies, bees x curassavicum Heliotropium Pineland 3-6” yellow, white Year Round sun moist butterflies x polyphyllum Heliotrope Mangrove sun to partial Hymenocallis latifolia 2-3’ White May-Sept moist moths x spiderlily shade

Hyptis alata Clustered bushmint 2-4’ white May-Nov sun wet to moist bees, butterflies x

Kosteletzkya Virginia saltmarsh butterflies, 2-6’ pink Jun-Oct sun wet to moist x pentacarpos mallow hummingbirds butterflies, moths, Liatris gracilis Slender gayfeather 2-36” purple Jul-Nov sun moist x bees, hummingbirds butterflies, moths, Liatris spicata Blazing star 2-36” purple Jul-Nov sun moist to wet x bees, hummingbirds Creeping sun to partial Ludwigia repens 1-3” yellow Jul-Sept wet to moist wasps, bees x primrosewillow shade

continued on page 20

Everglades Province 19 continued from page 19 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Everglades Province

Common Flower Flower Larval Botanical Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Name Color Season Host Lythrum alatum var. Winged loosestrife 3-4’ purple Jun-Sept sun wet bees, butterflies x lanceolatum butterflies, bees, Melanthera nivea Snow Squarestem 1-4’ white Year Round sun moist wasps

Mimosa strigillosa Sunshine mimosa 1-3” pink Mar-Aug sun moist to dry butterflies, bees x

sun to partial dry to Phyla nodiflora Frogfruit 1-3” white May-Oct butterflies x shade normal Walter’s Physalis walteri 6-12” yellow May-Sept sun moist to dry bee x groundcherry American Phytolacca americana 4-8’ pink, white Jul-Oct sun moist butterflies, bees x Pokeweed Narrow-leaved sun to partial Pityopsis graminifolia 8-15” yellow Sept-Apr dry bees, butterflies silkgrass shade Piriqueta cistoides Pitted stripeseed 4-8” yellow Year Round sun moist to wet bees x subsp. caroliniana

Pluchea baccharis Rosy camphoweed 1-3’ pink Jun-Jul sun wet to moist Butterflies, bees x

Polygonum bees, wasps, flies, Swamp smartweed 1-2’ white Jun-Oct sun wet x hydropiperoides beetles Pontederia cordata var. white, blue, sun to partial Pickerelweed 1-3’ Jun-Aug moist to wet bees, butterflies x cordata purple shade red, pink, sun to partial Portulaca pilosa Pink purslane < 1’ Jun-Oct dry to moist bees x purple shade Carolina wild Ruellia caroliniensis 1-3’ purple Jun-Aug partial shade moist butterflies x petunia Thickleaf wild Ruellia succulenta 4-8” blue Year Round sun moist bees, butterflies x petunia Lance-leaved bees, flies, beetles, Sagittaria lancifolia 1-3’ white Jun-Aug sun wet x arrowhead butterflies Sesuvium Perennial sea- < 1’ pink Year Round sun wet to moist bees, flies, butterflies portulacastrum purslane Sisyrinchium Pointed blue-eyed sun to partial 1-1.5’ blue Mar-Jul moist to wet bees, flies x angustifolium grass shade Pinebarren seasonally Solidago fistulosa 3-4’ yellow Aug-Oct shade bees, butterflies x goldenrod wet to moist sun to partial Solidago leavenworthii Giant goldenrod 3-4’ yellow Nov-Dec moist bees, beetles shade Solidago odora var. Chapman’s 2-5’ yellow Jul-Oct sun moist bees x chapmanii goldenrod

Solidago sempervirens seaside goldenrod 3-9’ yellow Oct-Nov sun moist butterflies, bees x

20 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Common Flower Flower Larval Botanical Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Name Color Season Host Narrow-leaved seasonally Solidago stricta 3-9” yellow Aug-Nov sun bees, butterflies goldenrod wet to moist bees, butterflies, Stachytarpheta sun to partial Blue porterweed 3’ Blue Year Round dry moths, beetles, x jamaicensis shade hummingbirds Symphyotrichum sun to partial Rice button aster 2-4’ white Aug-Oct moist to wet bees, butterflies x dumosum shade

Thalia geniculata Alligatorflag 3-6’ purple May-Jun sun wet bees x

Tiedemannia filiformis Water dropwort 2-3’ white Jun-Sept sun wet to moist bees, butterflies x

Trichostema partial shade to Forked bluecurls 12-18” blue, purple Aug-Oct dry bees x dichotomum shade seasonally bees, butterflies, Vernonia blodgettii Florida ironweed 1-3’ pink Year Round sun x wet to moist beetles

Yucca aloifollia Spanish Bayonet 6-12’ white Jun-Jul sun dry moths, butterflies x Vines red, pink, Apios americana Groundnut < 1’ Jul-Sept shade moist to wet butterflies, bees x purple Centrosema Spurred butterfly pink, blue, butterflies, wasps, 6-12’ Jul-Aug partial shade dry to moist x virginianum pea Purple bees Wild potato sun to partial bees, butterflies, Ipomoea microdactyla 5’ red Apr-Nov moist morning glory shade hummingbirds bees, butterflies, Beach morning pink, purple, sun to partial Ipomoea pes-caprae 10-75’ Year Round dry moths, flies, beetles, glory red shade wasps, ants sun to partial Galactia volubilis Downy milkpea 3’ pink Jul-Sept moist butterflies x shade sun to partial Morinda royoc Yellowroot 3-10’ white Year Round moist butterflies x shade Purple sun to partial Passiflora incarnata 3-10’ purple Apr-Sept moist butterflies, bees x passionflower shade Corkystem sun to partial Passiflora suberosa 6-8’ green Apr-Sept moist butterflies, bees x passionflower shade Hammock Pentalinon luteum 10’ yellow Apr-Oct sun moist moths x viperstail Symphyotrichum Climbing aster 10’ blue Sept-Dec sun wet to moist butterflies, bees carolinianum

Vitis roundifolia Muscadine grape 72-100’ yellow, green Apr-May partial shade moist bees x

Everglades Province 21 Habitat Hints FOR THE Everglades Province

BEE-POLLINATED GARDEN FLOWERS AND CROPS Lg Sm Squash/ Yellow- Bumble Digger Leafcutter Mason Sweat Plasterer Andrenid Carpenter Carpenter Gourd faced FLOWERS Catalpa x Catnip x x x Clover x x Columbine x Cow parsley x Goldenrod x x x x Impatiens x Irises x x Lavender x x x x Milkwort x Morning glory x Penstemon x x x Phacelia x x x x x x x x Potentilla x Rose x x x x x Salvia x x x x x Saxifrages x x Sorrel x Sunflowers x x x x x x x x Violet x x Wild Mustard x x Willow catkins x x CROPS Apple x Blueberry x x x Cherry x x Eggplant x x x Gooseberry x x Legumes x x x x Water melon x x Squash/ Pumpkins/ x x Gourds Tomatoes x x x x Thyme x x x x x

22 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Habitat and Nesting requirements:

Honey Bees: Honey bees are colonial cavity nesters. Occasionally in the spring and summer you might encounter a swarm of honey bees on the move to a new home. The majority of honey bees are managed by beekeepers in hives. Beekeepers with commercial operations can have bee yards with tens to hundreds of hives commonly in agricultural, rural and some natural habitats. In urban and garden settings it is common to see a single or a handful of honey bee hives – usually wooden boxes painted white or other light colors. Give honey bees space and don’t approach their hive. Even beekeepers minimize the amount of time they spend working bees. Honey bees have different feeding needs than native bees. Their colony can last multiple years and they feed on flowers from the beginning of spring bloom to the fall. Honey bees visit crops when they are in bloom and forage on a diversity of wildflowers as well. Honey bees also need plants that produce a large amount of nectar to make honey. Clovers, lavenders, mints, and sages are great nectar sources. Honey bees also like to feed off of the pollen of trees and shrubs such as maples, willows, and roses. Fields of goldenrod are an excellent pollen source. Bumble Bees: Bumble bees nest in cavities such as abandoned mouse nests, other rodent burrows, upside down flower pots, under boards, and other human-made cavities. Colonies are founded by a queen in the spring. The number of workers in a colony can grow to upward of 400 at the peak of summer bloom. Bumble bee colonies die out in the fall after producing new queens. New queens mate and then overwinter, hiding underground, in cracks, or small crevices. Bumble bees are usually active during the morning hours and forage at colder temperatures than honey bees, even flying in light rain. Large carpenter bees: Large carpenter bees chew nests into dead wood, poplar, cottonwood or willow trunks and limbs. The also make nests in structural timbers including redwood and cedar. Depending on the species, there may be one or two brood cycles per year. These bees can be active all day even in the hottest and coolest weather. Digger bees: Digger bees can be found nesting in sandy, compacted soils, and along stream banksides. These bees are usually active in the morning hours, but can be seen at other times of the day as well. To attract these bees have some areas of exposed soil in your garden and avoid applying thick layers of mulch that are hard to dig through. Small carpenter bees: Small carpenter bees chew into pithy stems, including roses and blackberry canes, where they make their nests. These bees are more active in the morning but can be found at other times. Squash and Gourd bees: Squash and gourd bees prefer to nest in sandy soil but also may nest in gardens (where pumpkins, squash and gourds are grown). These bees are early risers and can be found in pumpkin patches before dawn. Males often sleep in wilted squash flowers. Leaf-cutting bees: Leaf-cutting bees nest in pre-existing circular tunnels of various diameters in dead wood created by emerging beetles. Some also nest in the ground. Leafcutter bees line and cap their nests with leaves or flower petals. These bees can be seen foraging throughout the day even in very hot weather. Mason bees: Mason bees use pre-existing tunnels of various diameters in dead wood made by emerging beetles, or human-made nesting substrates such as drilled wood blocks or cardboard tubes. These bees get their name from the fact that they cap their nests with mud. Mason bees are generally more active in the morning hours. Sweat bees: Sweat bees need bare ground in sunny areas not covered by vegetation for nesting. Some will nest in small pre-existing holes, much like leaf-cutting or mason bees. Like most bees, sweat bees forage for pollen earlier in the morning and then for nectar later in the day. To help these bees nest, keep some parts of your garden exposed and avoid applying thick layers of mulch that are hard to dig through. Plasterer or cellophane bees: Plasterer or cellophane bees get their name from the unique, clear waterproof lining they make around their nest. Similar to sweat bees they prefer bare ground, stream banks or slopes. These bees can be active in the morning or later in the day. Yellow-faced bees: Yellow-faced bees are tiny, hairless bees that make their nesting by chewing into small dead stems. These bees are more active during morning hours. Mining bees: Mining bees prefer sunny, bare ground, and sand soil. They are also known to nest under leaf litter or in the soil along banksides and cliffs. Mining bees are active in the spring and most commonly seen on flowers during the morning when pollen and nectar resources are abundant.

Everglades Province 23 A Basic Checklist

S.H.A.R.E. - simply Have areas reserved for the environment. n Planting for pollinators is the first step. Put your pollinator habitat on the S.H.A.R.E. map and connect to pollinator conservation efforts across North America. Visit pollinator.org/SHARE n Farmers can also certify their habitat with Bee-Friendly Farming. Visit pollinator.org/bff

Become familiar with pollinators in your landscape. n Watch for activity throughout the day and the seasons. n Keep a simple notebook of when and what comes to your garden. n Take part in citizen science monitoring and get involved in local programs. n Consult a local field guide or web site when you are ready to learn more details.

Add native plants to attract more native pollinators. n List the plants you currently have in your landscape. n Determine when you need additional flowers to provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. n Add plants that provide additional seasons of bloom, create variable heights for shelter, and attract the types of pollinators you want. n Don’t forget to include host plants that provide food and shelter for larval development. n Contact your local native plant society or extension agent for more help.

Use pollinator friendly landscape practices to support the pollinators you attract. n Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to address pest concerns. n Tolerate a little mess – leave dead snags and leaf litter, keep areas bare for ground nesting insects, and leave some weeds that provide food for pollinators. n Provide safe access to clean water.

Notice the changes that you have helped to create!

24 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Resources

Many books, websites, and people were consulted to gather information for Native Plants this guide. Use this list as a starting point to learn more about pollinators and plants in your area. Plant Conservation Alliance https://www.blm.gov/programs/ Ecoregion profi le natural-resources/native- plantcommunities/national-seed- US Forest Service strategy/pca https://www.fs.fed.us/land/ecosysmgmt/colorimagemap/ecoreg1_provinces. html Seeds of Success https://www.blm.gov/programs/ Forest* A *Syst natural-resources/native- https://www.forestasyst.org/ecoregions/411.cfm plantcommunities/native-plant-and- seedmaterial-development/collection U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species https://www.fws.gov/endangered/ Florida Native Plant Society https://www.fnps.org/plants Pollination/Pollinators The Institute for Regional Pollinator Partnership Conservation www.pollinator.org https://www.regionalconservation. org/index.html North American Pollinator Protection Campaign www.nappc.org Feedback Natural Resources Conservation Service https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/ We need your help to create better guides for other parts of North USDA Forest Service America. Please e-mail your input https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/ to [email protected].

n How will you use this guide? Wild Farm Alliance https://www.wildfarmalliance.org/ n Do you find the directions clear? If not, please tell us North American Butterfly Association what is unclear. www.naba.org n Is there any information you Xerces Society Pollinator Program feel is missing from the guide? http://www.xerces.org/ n Any other comments? Buchmann, S.L. and G.P. Nabhan. 1997. The Forgotten Pollinators Island Press: Washington, DC. Thank you for taking Committee on the Status of Pollinators in North America. 2007. Status of the time to help! Pollinators in North America The National Academies Press: Washington, DC.

Everglades Province 25 Notes

26 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Notes

Everglades Province 27 Research and Writing: Victoria Wojcik Lora Morandin

Editorial: Victoria Wojcik Lora Morandin

Design: Marguerite Meyer

Funding: USDA Forest Service

Contributors: George Gann, Steven Woodmansee

Photo Contributors: Cover butterfly: Common Buckeye, a native to Florida., Cover sunset swamp: Everglades National Park, Cover South Florida ecosystem: Everglades National Park Larry Perez Tim Dunne Alan Schmierer

Illustrations: Carolyn Vibbert

For a copy of this brochure, or for another region, visit www.pollinator.org The Pollinator Partnership™/North American Pollinator Protection Campaign 475 Sansome St., 17th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 – 415-362-1137 28 www.pollinator.org d www.nappc.org Selecting Plants for Pollinators