If you’re thinking about moving to a new area, it might be fun to identify the local flora and fauna, which is what this article is all about. It also might be fun to vacation in the area to try it on for size – and see the wildlife and plant life up close and personal.
Sanibel and Captiva Islands are known for their nature preserves. From the wildlife to the flora, this area is a nature lover’s paradise. Florida wildlife abounds: on the ground, in the air, and in the waters. Of course, they co-exist with plants, flowers, and trees.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you might miss some of these beauties. Here’s a list of the top 10 Florida flowers you can identify on Sanibel and Captiva islands. Take this list with you as you work to find some of the most beautiful blooms Florida has to offer.
Milkweed
There are two dozen different types of milkweed that are native to Florida, and what’s more, two of the kinds are only found in Florida. These blooms are an easy way to brighten up any home or vacation rental. You can spot them by looking for them during the spring and summer. The small blooms can be yellow, orange, and red and appear close together. Some of the types like wet climates, and others like dryer weather. This is probably one of the easier flowers to spot while you’re exploring Florida flowers.
Purple Coneflower
True to its name, this purple flower is also easy to spot even though seeing it may be a rarity. The beautiful dark purple center is surrounded by petals that range in color from a pink color to purple and can look similar to the shape of a black-eyed Susan. The easiest way to look for this bloom is by its height. The flower can grow as high as four feet tall, so you won’t be able to miss it.
Canna Lily
The blossoms of this gorgeous lily range in color from red to yellow and even white. The most popular type in South Florida is a deep red with orange tones and can look similar to hibiscus.
Tickseed
Here’s one flower you have to try and find if you’re looking for Florida blooms. The Tickseed is the official Florida state wildflower. Many times, this blossom will be yellow, but it can also be pink, orange, or red. These types of flowers have been planted on the sides of Florida highways for decades. There are 12 different varieties native to the state.
Blanket Flower
This flower is known to thrive in heat and humidity, so it’s no surprise it’s one of the blossoms you can find in Florida. You can find it near a lot of beaches because the Blanket flower also loves salt air. They can be solid colors of yellow, orange, or red, but sometimes can even be found in a mixture of all three.
Beach Sunflower
These flowers look like a mix between your traditional sunflower and a daisy. They bloom multiple times during the year, and like the blanket sunflower, they love heat, humidity, and salt. Walk along any of the beautiful beaches in the area and you’re sure to spot some.
Powder Puff
These flowers can be found blooming on trees and the trees can grow up to 15 feet tall. They love to bloom in the heat, so the flowers will be open on the trees during most months here in Florida. They smell beautiful, attracting many bees and even sometimes a hummingbird or another bird. The flowers on the powder puff tree are usually red or pink in color.
Crossandra
You can often find the “orange marmalade” variety of Crossandra in gardens throughout Florida. The bright orange color is appealing to many and they thrive in the heat. Look for them in partially sunny, partially shady areas since they can take up to 4 hours of direct sunlight a day.
Egyptian Star Flower
Also called star clusters or pentas, these flowers bloom year round and do great in warm areas. The flowers can be anywhere from red to pink, and even blue or lavender. They are easy to grow into shrub-like shapes and attract butterflies.
Begonia
Begonias are easy to grow in South Florida and are super low maintenance. You can find the blooms all over the place in shades of pink and white. They are often found in lightly shaded areas and are often found in the springtime.