General Information
Status in Florida: Native
Native Habitat: Marshes, wet flatwoods, moist meadows, roadside ditches
Native States: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama
Growing Zones: USDA Zones 7–10
Size at Maturity: 4–8 feet tall, 2–4 feet wide
Phenology: Winter dormant
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Rate: Fast
Growth Habit: Upright, clumping, spreading, herbaceous
Bloom Season: Late summer to fall (September–November)
Bloom Color: Bright yellow with dark centers
⸻
Growth Conditions
Sunlight Requirements: Full
Soil Texture: Sand, loam, muck
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Moisture Requirements: Moist to wet
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low/None
Keystone Plant: No
⸻
Landscape Considerations
Recommended Landscape Uses: Rain gardens, wetland restoration, naturalistic plantings, pollinator gardens
Maintenance Tips: Cut back after flowering to maintain form; may need staking in rich soils
Considerations: Can spread by rhizomes; give space or containment if needed
Hurricane Wind Resistant: No
Erosion Control: Yes
Nitrogen Fixing: No
⸻
Other Information
Edible: No
Pet Safe: Yes
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: No
Historical Medicinal Uses: None well-documented for this species
Florida Native Companion Plant: Lobelia cardinalis, Coreopsis floridana, Iris hexagona
Wildlife Benefit: Pollinators, birds (seeds), small mammals
Caterpillar Host Plant: Yes (Checkerspot butterflies, moths)
Propagation: Seed, rhizome division