Florida's Native Trees and Shrubs

Florida's plant life is highly diverse, including approximately 460 species of native trees and shrubs. You can search the conifers and cycads by scientific or common name to find data on a specific species. A similar database of flowering species is in development, but you can currently browse species lists with linked photos. Finally, expand the lists at the bottom of the page to explore the taxonomy of Florida's trees and shrubs.

Florida's Flowering Trees and Shrubs

Explore the list of flowering tree and shrub families (Angiosperms) with links to species lists with photos of key characteristics.

Florida's Conifers and Cycads

Look up cone-bearing species by either scientific or common name.

Scientific Name
Common Name

Florida's Palms and Other Monocots

Look up monocots with a tree and shrub form by either scientific or common name.

Scientific Name
Common Name

Species Range Map

Typical Tree and Shrub Forms

Large trees will typically exceed 10 to 15 meters in height when fully grown. The diameter of a mature tree will almost always be greater than 20 cm at breast height. Seedling and saplings may resemble shrubs or small trees in size or form.

At maturity, small trees are generally between 5 and 15 meters in height. They are more likely than shrubs to have a single primary trunk with a diameter between 10 and 25 cm at breast height. Young trees will often have the proportions and characteristics of mature shrubs.

For the purposes of this listing, shrubs are considered self-supporting woody plants which at maturity are generally less than 3 to 5 meters in height. They often have multiple stems, none exceeding about 10 cm in diameter at breast height.

As with all artificial distinctions, exceptions to these definitions are to be expected.

The Taxonomy of Florida's Trees and Shrubs

Click the plus signs to expand portions of the chart. Please note that although we've tried to use the most current classification for each species, genetic research now continually challenges traditional placements of many species and groups.

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