Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in South Florida Landscapes1
Invasive plants are non-native plants that form expanding populations in natural areas and other plant communities with which they were not previously associated (Langeland 2015). Invasive plants can cause ecological impacts such as displacing native plants and associated wildlife or altering natural water flow and fire patterns.
Some ornamentals listed as invasive by the University of Florida IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas or by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council are still in commercial production and widely found in Florida landscapes. Homeowners might replace invasive plants if non-invasive alternatives are researched, publicized and made readily available. By shifting production and use from invasive ornamentals to native or non-invasive cultivars, the nursery and landscape industry could benefit from potential revenue while fostering greater collaboration with state agencies and environmental groups.
University of Florida research and Extension efforts over the last 10 years have focused on identifying non-invasive alternatives by assessing the invasive traits of popular non-native ornamentals, related genera, and their cultivars. In more recent years, University of Florida breeding efforts have focused on producing and trialing new non-invasive cultivars. Table 1 lists alternatives (both native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals) to invasive plants commonly used in Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invasive plants as much as possible in terms of size, habit, texture, and flower color. Non-native, non-invasive plants in Table 1 were determined to be non-invasive (with assessments of "not a problem species" or "may be used with caution") by the IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas (http://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/) or have not yet been evaluated.
References
Enloe, S.F. and K.A. Langeland. 2018. "Help protect Florida's natural areas from non-native invasive plants." Circular1204. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. February 1998. Revised August 2018. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag108
Lieurance, Deah, S. Luke Flory and Doria R. Gordon. 2013, rev. 2016. The UF/IFAS Assessment of Nonnative Plants in Florida's Natural Areas: History, Purpose, and Use. SS-AGR-371. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag376
Wilson, S. B., J. A. Gersony, K. L. Nolan, J. C. Broda, and E. A. Skvarch, Jr. September 2014, reviewed October 2017. Recommended Native Landscape Plants for Florida's Treasure Coast. ENH1082. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep348
Tables
Invasive ornamentals commonly found in south Florida landscapes and commonly available native and non-native, non-invasive substitutes. Scientific names are those used by the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas (http://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/), the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx), and the Atlas of Florida Plants by the Institute for Systematic Biology (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Default.aspx).
Invasive ornamentalz |
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Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Native substitute |
Non-native, non-invasive substitutez |
Ardisia crenata |
Coral ardisia |
Ardisia escallonioides, Marlberry Callicarpa americana, American beautyberry Chrysobalanus icaco, Cocoplum Citharexylum spinosum, Fiddlewood Hamelia patens, Firebush Ilex vomitoria, Yaupon holly Myrsine cubana, Myrsine Psychotria ligustrifolia, Bahama wild coffee Psychotria nervosa, Wild coffee Viburnum obovatum, Walter's viburnum, small-leaf viburnum |
Acalypha wilkesiana, Wilkes' copperleaf, Jacob's coat |
Bauhinia variegata |
Mountain ebony, orchid tree |
Bourreria succulenta, Bahama strongbark Canella winterana, Pepper cinnamon, cinnamon bark, wild cinnimon Cynophalla flexuosa, Bayleaf capertree Erythrina herbacea, Coralbean, Cherokee-bean Guaiacum sanctum, Holywood ignum-vitae Myrcianthes fragrans, Simpson's stopper, twinberry Piscidia piscipula, Jamaican dogwood, Fish-poison tree Vachellia choriophylla, Cinnecord Vachellia farnesiana, Sweet acacia |
Bauhinia × blakeana, Hong Kong orchid tree, Blake's bauhinia Cassia afrofistula, Dwarf golden shower Cassia fistula, Golden shower Clerodendrum quadriloculare, Starburst clerodendrum Cordia boissieri, White cordia, Mexican olive Dombeya burgessiae, Seminole dombeya, Tropical rose hydrangea Gardenia thunbergia, White gardenia Tabernaemontana divaricata, Cape jasmine Tibouchina granulosa, Glory bush, princessflower |
Bischofia javanica |
Japanese bishopwood |
Juniperus virginiana, Red cedar Pinus elliottii, Slash pine Taxodium distichum, Bald cypress |
Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa', Torulosa juniper, Chinese juniper Platycladus orientalis, Arborvitae, Oriental arborvitae Podocarpus macrophyllus, Podocarpus, Japanese yew |
Casuarina equisetifolia |
Australian pine, horsetail casuarina |
Juniperus virginiana, Red cedar Pinus elliottii, Slash pine Taxodium distichum, Bald cypress |
Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa', Torulosa juniper, Chinese juniper Platycladus orientalis, Arborvitae, Oriental arborvitae Podocarpus macrophyllus, Podocarpus, Japanese yew |
Colocasia esculenta |
Elephant ear, wild taro |
Crinum americanum, String-lily, Florida swamp-lily Hymenocallis latifolia, Mangrove spider-lily |
Cordyline fruticosa, Ti plant, broadleaf palm-lily Crinum asiaticum, Grand crinum lily, Asiatic poisonbulb Monstera deliciosa, Cut-leaf philodendron, split-leaf philodendron Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Selloum philodendron |
Cupaniopsis anacardioides |
Carrotwood |
Conocarpus erectus, Buttonwood, button mangrove Piscidia piscipula, Jamaican dogwood, fish-poison tree Sapindus saponaria, Soapberry, soaptree Simarouba glauca, Paradise tree |
Ficus rubiginosa, Rusty fig, littleleaf fig Peltophorum dubium, Horsebush, yellow poinciana Terminalia bucerasy (syn. Bucida buceras), Black olive |
Dioscorea bulbifera |
Air-potato |
Campsis radicans, Trumpet creeper Jacquemontia pentanthos, Key West morning glory, Skyblue clustervine Lonicera sempervirens, Coral honeysuckle, trumpet honeysuckle |
Aristolochia littoralis, Calico flower See Flowering Vines for Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg097) for additional vines |
Eugenia uniflora |
Surinam cherry |
Ardisia escallonioides, Marlberry Bourreria succulenta, Bodywood, Bahama strongbark Calyptranthes pallens, Spicewood Citharexylum spinosum, Fiddlewood Forestiera segregata, Florida swampprivet Guaiacum sanctum, Holywood lignum-vitae Myrcianthes fragrans, Simpson's stopper, twinberry Myrsine cubana, Myrsine Psychotria nervosa, Wild coffee |
Myrciaria cauliflora, Jaboticaba Pittosporum tobira, Japanese cheesewood, Japanese pittosporum |
Jasminum dichotomum |
Gold coast jasmine |
Ernodea littoralis, Beach creeper Hymenocallis latifolia, Mangrove spider-lily Mimosa strigillosa, Powderpuff Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Blue porterweed, Joee |
Jasminum laurifolium, Angelwing jasmine Jasminum multiflorum, Star jasmine Solandra grandiflora, Chalicevine, solandra |
Lantana camara |
Lantana, shrub verbena |
Byrsonima lucida, Long Key locustberry Hamelia patens, Firebush Lantana involucrata, Buttonsage Lycium carolinianum, Christmasberry Salvia coccinea, Tropical sage, red salvia Sophora tomentosa subsp. truncata, Yellow necklacepod Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Blue porterweed, Joee Varronia globosa, Curacao bush |
Lagerstroemia spp., Crapemyrtle (dwarf forms) Lantana camara 'UF-T3'x, UF-T3 lantana (sterile) Lantana camara 'UF-T4'x, UF-T4 lantana (sterile) Lantana camara 'UF-1011-2'x, Bloomify™ Rose lantana (sterile) Lantana camara 'UF-1013A-2A'x, Bloomify™ Red lantana (sterile) Rosa spp., Rose |
Lonicera japonica |
Japanese honeysuckle |
Campsis radicans, Trumpet creeper Lonicera sempervirens, Coral honeysuckle, trumpet honeysuckle Symphyotrichum carolinianum, Climbing aster |
Trachelospermum jasminoides, Confederate jasmine See Flowering Vines for Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg097) for additional vines |
Melaleuca quinquenervia |
Melaleuca, paper bark, punk tree |
Annona glabra, Pond apple Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus, Silver buttonwood Conocarpus erectus, Buttonwood, button mangrove Magnolia virginiana, Sweetbay Simarouba glauca, Paradise-tree |
Callistemon rigidus, Bottlebrush, erect bottlebrush, stiff bottlebrush Callistemon viminalis, Bottlebrush, weeping bottlebrush Podocarpus macrophyllus, Podocarpus, Japanese yew |
Psidium cattleianum |
Strawberry guava |
Annona glabra, Pond apple Bourreria succulenta, Bahama strongbark Calyptranthes pallens, Spicewood Canella winterana, Pepper cinnamon, cinnamon bark, wild cinnimon Citharexylum spinosum, Fiddlewood Coccoloba diversifolia, Pigeon plum, tie-tongue Cynophalla flexuosa, Bayleaf capertree Erythrina herbacea, Coralbean, Cherokee-bean Guaiacum sanctum, Holywood lignum-vitae Guapira discolor, Blolly, beeftree Ilex cassine, Dahoon holly, dahoon Myrcianthes fragrans, Simpson's stopper, twinberry Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis, Elderberry, American elder Simarouba glauca, Paradise-tree Vachellia choriophylla, Cinnecord |
Lagerstroemia spp., Crapemyrtle Macadamia integrifolia, Macadamia nut Noronhia emarginata, Madagascar olive Pimenta dioica, Allspice tree Pimenta racemosa, Bay rum tree, West Indian bay |
Ruellia simplex |
Mexican petunia |
Crinum americanum, String-lily, Florida swamp-lily Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Blue porterweed, Joee |
Bougainvillea glabra, Bougainvillea, paper flower Bougainvillea spectabilis, Great bougainvillea, purple bougainvillea Ixora coccinea, Ixora, scarlet jungleflame Ruellia simplex (formerly brittoniana), 'Purple Showers'y, 'Purple Showers' Mexican petunia (sterile, non-invasive by seed dispersal) Ruellia simplex R10-105-Q54y, Mayan Pink Mexican petunia (sterile, non-invasive by seed dispersal) Ruellia simplex 'R10-102'y, Mayan Purple Mexican petunia (sterile, non-invasive by seed dispersal) Ruellia simplex 'R10-108'y, Mayan White Mexican petunia (sterile, non-invasive by seed dispersal) Ruellia simplex 'R12-2-1'y, Mayan Compact Purple Mexican petunia (sterile, non-invasive by seed dispersal) Russelia equisetiformis, Coral plant, firecracker plant Vernonia gigantea, Giant ironweed |
Scaevola taccada var. sericea |
Beach naupaka, half-flower, scaevola |
Chrysobalanus icaco 'Horizontal', 'Horizontal' Cocoplum Genipa clusiifolia, Sevenyear apple Heliotropium gnaphalodes, Sea lavender, sea rosemary Scaevola plumieri, Beachberry, inkberry Sophora tomentosa subsp. truncata, Yellow necklacepod Suriana maritima, Bay cedar Yucca aloifolia, Spanish bayonet, aloe yucca |
Carissa macrocarpa, Amatungulu, Natal plum Pittosporum tobira, Japanese pittosporum, Japanese cheesewood |
Schefflera actinophylla |
Australian umbrella tree, octopus tree, Queensland umbrella tree |
Canella winterana, Pepper cinnamon, cinnamon bark, wild cinnimon Guapira discolor, Blolly, beeftree Simarouba glauca, Paradise-tree |
Beaucarnea recurvata, Ponytail palm Pandanus utilis, Screwpine Ravenala madagascariensis, Traveler's palm, traveler's tree Strelitzia nicolai, White bird of paradise |
Schinus terebinthifolius |
Brazilian pepper |
Ardisia escallonioides, Marlberry Calyptranthes pallens, Spicewood Citharexylum spinosum, Fiddlewood Erythrina herbacea, Coralbean, Cherokee-bean Forestiera segregata, Florida swampprivet Hamelia patens, Firebush Ilex cassine, Dahoon holly, dahoon Ilex vomitoria, Yaupon holly Miconia bicolor, Tetrazygia, Florida clover ash Myrcianthes fragrans, Simpson's stopper, twinberry Morella cerifera, Wax myrtle, southern bayberry Myrsine cubana, Myrsine Psychotria nervosa, Wild coffee Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis, Elderberry, American elder Viburnum obovatum, Walter's viburnum, small-leaf viburnum |
Viburnum odoratissimum, Sweet viburnum Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki, Awabuki sweet viburnum Viburnum suspensum, Sandankwa viburnum, viburnum |
Senna pendula var. glabrata |
Christmas senna, Christmas cassia, climbing cassia |
Guaiacum sanctum, Holywood lignum-vitae Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis, Elderberry, American elder Senna ligustrina, Privet wild sensitive plant Senna mexicana var. chapmanii, Chapman's senna Sophora tomentosa subsp. truncata, Yellow necklacepod |
Senna polyphylla, Desert cassia Senna surattensis, Glossy shower Tabermaemontana divaricata, Cape jasmine |
Sphagneticola trilobata |
Wedelia |
Ernodea littoralis, Beach creeper Helianthus debilis, Dune sunflower, beach sunflower Hymenocallis latifolia, Mangrove spider-lily Mimosa strigillosa, Powderpuff Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Blue porterweed, Joee Zamia integrifolia, Coontie, Florida arrowroot |
Arachis glabrata, Rhizoma perennial peanut Juniperus chinensis 'Parsonii', Parson's Chinese juniper Trachelospermum asiaticum, Asiatic jasmine, dwarf jasmine Zamia furfuraceay, Cardboard cycad, Cardboard palm |
Syzygium cumini |
Jambolan, Java plum |
Bursera simaruba, Gumbo limbo Ficus aurea, Strangler fig Morus rubra, Red mulberry Quercus laurifolia, Laurel oak Quercus virginiana, Live oak, southern live oak Sideroxylon foetidissimum, False mastic Swietenia mahagoni, West Indian mahogany |
Azadirachta indica, Neem, Indian-lilac, nimtree Ficus elastica, Indian rubber rubber tree, Indian rubber plant, rubber tree Ficus lyrata, Fiddleleaf fig Ficus rubiginosa, Rusty fig, littleleaf fig Peltophorum dubium, Horsebush, yellow poinciana Terminalia bucerasy (syn. Bucida buceras), Black olive |
Talipariti tiliaceum |
Sea hibiscus, mahoe |
Bursera simaruba, Gumbo limbo Clusia rosea, Pitchapple, Scotch-attorney Piscidia piscipula, Jamaican dogwood, fish-poison tree |
Cassia fistula, Golden shower Cassia javanica, Apple blossom cassia, Pink shower Ficus elastica, Rubber tree, India rubber fig, India rubber tree Ficus lyrata, Fiddleleaf fig |
Triadica sebifera |
Chinese tallow tree, popcorn tree |
Acer rubrum, Red maple Bourreria succulenta, Bahama strongbark Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus, Silver buttonwood Conocarpus erectus, Buttonwood, button mangrove Guapira discolor, Blolly, beeftree Liquidambar styraciflua, Sweetgum Platanus occidentalis, American sycamore, American planetree Sapindus saponaria, Soapberry, soaptree Simarouba glauca, Paradise-tree |
Jacaranda mimosifolia, Jacaranda, green-ebony, black poui Lagerstroemia spp., Crapemyrtle Peltophorum dubium, Horsebush, yellow poinciana |
zAs listed by the University of Florida/IFAS Status Assessment, http://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/. yNon-invasive cultivar derived from the invasive species as determined by the University of Florida/IFAS Infraspecific Taxon Protocol (Lieurance, Deah, S. Luke Flory and Doria R. Gordon. 2013, rev. 2016. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag376). |
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