Everglades Wildguide

Appendix

Reading edition

Glossary

ALGAE: (pronounced “AL-jee”) A group of plants (singular: ALGA, pronounced “AL-ga”), one-celled or many-celled, having chlorophyll, without roots, and living in damp places or in water.

BRACKISH WATER: Mixed fresh and salt water. Many species of plants and animals of marine and fresh-water habitats are adapted to life in estuaries and coastal swamps and marshes, where the water varies greatly in degree of salinity. Some animal species can be found in all three habitats.

BROMELIAD: A plant of the pineapple family. Many bromeliads are air plants, growing (not parasitically) on the trunks and branches of other plants, or even, as in the case of “Spanish moss,” on telephone wires.

COMMUNITY: The living part of the ecosystem; an assemblage of plants and animals living in a particular area or physical habitat. It can be as small as a decaying log, with its variety of mosses, insect larvae, burrowing beetles, ants, etc.; or as large as a forest of hundreds of square miles.

DECIDUOUS TREES: Trees that shed their leaves annually. Most hardwood trees are deciduous; some conifers, such as larches and baldcypresses, are deciduous.

ECOLOGY: The study of the relationship of living things to one another and to their physical environment.

ENDANGERED: A species of plant or animal that, throughout all or a significant portion of its range, is in danger of extinction.

ENVIRONMENT: All the external conditions, such as soil, water, air, and organisms, surrounding a living thing.

ESTIVATION: A prolonged dormant or sleeplike state that enables an animal to survive the summer in a hot climate. As in hibernation, breathing and heartbeat slow down, and the animal neither eats nor drinks.

ESTUARY: The portion of a river or coastal wetland affected by the rise and fall of the tide, containing a graded mixture of fresh and salt water.

EVERGLADE: A tract of marshy land covered in places with tall grasses. (In this book, “the everglades” refers to the river of grass; “Everglades” refers to the park, which contains other habitats besides everglades.)

EXOTIC: A foreign plant or animal that has been introduced, intentionally or unintentionally, into a new area.

FOOD CHAIN: A series of plants and animals linked by their food relationships, beginning with a green plant and ending with a predator.

HABITAT: The place where an organism lives; the immediate surroundings, living and unliving, of an organism. The habitat of the pine warbler is the pinelands; the habitat of an internal parasite of this bird is the body of the warbler.

HAMMOCK: A dense growth of broad-leaved trees on a slightly elevated area, not wet enough to be a swamp. In the park, hammocks are surrounded either by pineland or by marshland (glades).

HARDWOOD TREES: Trees with broad leaves (as opposed to conebearing trees, which have needles or scales). Most hardwood trees are deciduous, though many in south Florida retain their leaves throughout the year.

KEY: A reef or low-lying island. In south Florida, the term “key” is often also applied to hammocks or pinelands, which occupy areas where the limestone is raised above the surrounding wetlands.

LIMESTONE: A sedimentary rock derived from the shells and skeletons of animals deposited in seas, and consisting mostly of calcium carbonate. Soluble in water having a slight degree of acidity, it is often characterized by caverns and, in the everglades, by a very pitted surface. The rock underlying most of the park is the Miami Oölite (pronounced OH-uh-lite), formed during a recent glacial period. Oölitic limestone is composed of tiny round concretions, only indirectly derived from marine shells.

MANGROVE: Any of a group of tropical or subtropical trees, growing in estuaries and other low-lying coastal areas, usually producing aerial roots or prop roots and often forming dense growths over a large area. In south Florida there are four species, belonging to three different families.

MARSH: A wetland, salt or fresh, where few if any trees and shrubs grow, characterized by grasses and sedges; in fresh-water marshes, cattails are common.

MARL: In this book, used in the sense of a deposit of mixed limestone and smaller amounts of clay; south Florida marls are sometimes called lime muds.

PEAT: Partly decayed, moisture-absorbing plant matter accumulated in bogs, swamps, etc.

PREDATOR: An animal that lives by capturing other animals for food.

SLOUGH: A channel of slow-moving water in coastal marshland. The Shark River Slough and Taylor Slough are the main channels where the glades water flows in the park. Generally remaining as reservoirs of water when the glades dry in the rainless season, they are important to survival of aquatic animals.

SWAMP: Wetland characterized by shrubs or trees such as maples, gums, baldcypresses, and, in south Florida coast areas, mangroves. Fresh-water swamps are usually not covered by water the year around.

THREATENED: A species still present in its range but that, without significant changes in conditions, is capable of becoming endangered.

TREE ISLAND: An island of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants growing on an elevation, in a depression, or at the same level as the surrounding glades. Includes hammocks, willow heads, cypress heads, and bayheads.

For Reading and Reference

Ashton, Ray Jr., and Patricia Sawyer Ashton. Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida. Vol. 1, The Snakes; Vol. 2, Lizards, Turtles and Crocodilians; Vol. 3, The Amphibians. Miami: Windward Publishing, Inc., 1981-88.

Bell, C. Ritchie, and Bryan J. Taylor. Florida Wildflowers and Roadside Plants. Chapel Hill: Laurel Hill Press, 1982.

Cox, W. Eugene. In Pictures—Everglades: The Continuing Story. Las Vegas: K. C. Publications, 1989.

Craighead, Frank C. The Role of the Alligator in Shaping Plant Communities and Maintaining Wildlife in the Southern Everglades. Maitland: Florida Audubon Society, 1969.

de Golia, Jack. Everglades: The Story Behind the Scenery. Las Vegas: K.C. Publications, 1981.

Douglas, Marjory Stoneman. Everglades: River of Grass. St. Simons Island, Georgia: Mockingbird Books, 1974.

Downs, Dorothy. Miccosukee Arts and Crafts. Miami: Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, 1982.

Hoffmeister, John Edward. Land From Sea: The Geologic Story of South Florida. Coral Gables: University of Miami Press, 1968.

Lane, James A. A Birder’s Guide to Florida. Denver: L&P Press, 1989.

Peterson, Roger Tory. A Field Guide to the Birds East of the Rockies. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980.

Robertson, William B. Everglades: The Park Story. Homestead, Florida: Florida National Parks and Monuments Association, Inc., 1989.

Romashko, Sandra. The Shell Book. Miami: Windward Publishing, Inc., 1984.

Stevenson, George B. Trees of the Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys. Miami: Banyan Books, Inc., 1984.

Tebeau, Charlton E. Man in the Everglades. Coral Gables: University of Miami Press, 1968.

Toops, Connie M. The Alligator: Monarch of the Marsh. Homestead, Florida: Florida National Parks and Monuments Association, Inc., 1988.

Toops, Connie. Everglades. Stillwater, Minnesota: Voyageur Press, 1989.

Truesdell, William G. A Guide to the Wilderness Waterway of the Everglades National Park. Coral Gables: University of Miami Press, 1985.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Rare and Endangered Fish and Wildlife of the United States. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1964.

Williams, Winston. Florida’s Fabulous Waterbirds: Their Stories. Tampa: Worldwide Printing, 1984.

Zim, Herbert S. Everglades National Park and the Nearby Florida Keys. New York: Golden Press, 1985.

Rare and Endangered Animals

Here is a partial list of the rare and endangered species and subspecies found in Everglades National Park and Fort Jefferson National Monument.

Mammals

Florida Panther (Cougar)

West Indian Manatee (Sea Cow)

Birds

Snail Kite

Southern Bald Eagle

Arctic Peregrine Falcon

Cape Sable Sparrow

Wood Stork

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Reptiles and Amphibians

Green Turtle

Eastern Indigo Snake

Hawksbill Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle

American Crocodile

Checklist of Mammals

More than 40 species of mammals are found in Everglades National Park. Many of them are species commonly associated with drier habitats that have adapted to the semi-aquatic environment that comprises most of the park. It is not uncommon to see whitetail deer wading through the sawgrass prairie or a bobcat foraging for food in a mangrove swamp. This list is made up of species found within the boundary of the park or in the immediate area. Species considered exotic to Everglades National Park are marked with an asterisk (*).

Opossum Didelphis marsupialis

Short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda

Least shrew Cryptotis parva

Eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus

Seminole bat Lasiurus seminolus

Florida yellow bat Lasiurus intermedius

Evening bat Nycticeius hymeralis

Brazilian free-tailed bat Tadarida brasiliensis

Florida mastiff bat Eumops glaucinus

Nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus*

Marsh rabbit Sylvilagus palustris

Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus

Gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis

Fox squirrel Sciurus niger

Southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans

Rice rat Oryzomys palustris

Cotton mouse Peromyscus gossypinus

Cotton rat Sigmodon hispisus

Roundtail muskrat Neofiber alleni

Roof rat Rattus rattus*

Norway rat Rattus norvegicus

House mouse Mus musculus*

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus

Short-finned, or Pilot, whale Globicephala marcorhyncha

Gray fox Urocyon cineroargenteus

Red fox Vulpes vulpes*

Domestic dog Canis familiaris*

Black bear Ursus americanus

Raccoon Procyon lotor

Coati Nasua narica*

Everglades mink Mustela vison

Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata

Eastern spotted skunk Spirogale putorius

Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis

River otter Lutra canadensis

Florida panther Felis concolor coryi

Bobcat Lynx rufus

Domestic cat Felis domesticus*

West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus

Domestic pig Sus scrofa*

Whitetail deer Odocoileus virginia

Checklist of Birds

This is a complete list of the birds known in the park—347 species as of June 1, 1985—along with a key indicating the abundance and seasonal occurrence of each species. As noted in this list many birds are known in the park from only a few sightings. A few are exotic birds that have escaped captivity. Species considered exotic to Everglades Park are marked with an asterisk (*). Users can contribute to updating future lists by carefully recording details of their observations of less common species and reporting that information to park personnel. For purposes of this listing the seasons are as follows:

Spring: March 1 to May 31

Summer: June 1 to July 31

Fall: August 1 to November 15

Winter: November 16 to February 28

Key to Checklist

C Common

U Uncommon

R Rare

F Fewer than 10 sightings

B Breeds in park

? Uncertain if species breeds in park

Name of Bird Breeds in park Spring Summer Fall Winter

Red-throated Loon F

Common Loon R R R

Pied-billed Grebe B C U C C

Horned Grebe C C C

Red-necked Grebe F

Sooty Shearwater F

Wilson’s Storm Petrel F

Brown Booby F

Northern Gannet F F F

American White Pelican C R C C

Brown Pelican B C C C C

Great Cormorant F

Double-crested Cormorant B C C C C

Anhinga B C C C C

Magnificent Frigatebird U U U U

American Bittern ? U R U C

Least Bittern B U U U U

Great Blue Heron B C C C C

Great Blue Heron (White phase) B C C C C

Great Egret B C C C C

Snowy Egret B C C C C

Little Blue Heron B C C C C

Tricolored Heron B C C C C

Reddish Egret B U U U U

Cattle Egret B C C C C

Green-backed Heron B C C C C

Black-crowned Night Heron B C C C C

Yellow-crowned Night Heron B U U U U

White Ibis B C C C C

Scarlet Ibis (probably escapes) R R R R

Glossy Ibis B U U U U

White-faced Ibis F

Roseate Spoonbill B C U C C

Wood Stork B U R U U

Great Flamingo (probably escapes) R R R R

Fulvous Whistling Duck U U U U

Snow Goose F

Snow Goose (Blue Phase) F

Brant R

Canada Goose F

Wood Duck R

Green-winged Teal U R U

American Black Duck F

Mottled Duck B C C C C

Mallard R

White-checked Pintail F F

Northern Pintail C R C

Blue-winged Teal C R C C

Cinnamon Teal F

Northern Shoveler C R C C

Gadwall R R

Eurasian Wigeon F

American Wigeon C C C

Canvasback R R

Redhead R R

Ring-necked Duck C C C

Greater Scaup F

Lesser Scaup C C C

Oldsquaw F

Black Scoter F

Surf Scoter F

Common Goldeneye F

Bufflehead R

Hooded Merganser U R U

Red-breasted Merganser C R C C

Ruddy Duck U U C

Masked Duck F

Black Vulture B C C C C

Turkey Vulture B C C C C

Osprey B C C C C

American Swallow-tailed Kite B C C R

Black-shouldered Kite F F

Snail Kite B R R R R

Mississippi Kite F F

Bald Eagle B C C C C

Northern Harrier U U C

Sharp-shinned Hawk U U U

Cooper’s Hawk R R R

Red-shouldered Hawk B U R U U

Broad-winged Hawk U U U

Short-tailed Hawk B U R U U

Swainson’s Hawk R R U

Red-tailed Hawk B U U U U

Rough-legged Hawk F

Golden Eagle F

Crested Caracara F

American Kestrel C C C

Merlin U U U

Peregrine Falcon U U U

Wild Turkey B R R R R

Northern Bobwhite B C C C C

Yellow Rail F

Black Rail R

Clapper Rail B C C C C

King Rail B C C C C

Virginia Rail R R R

Sora Rail C C C

Purple Gallinule B C C C C

Common Moorhen B C C C C

American Coot B C R C C

Caribbean Coot F F F

Limpkin B C C C C

Sandhill Crane B R R R R

Black-bellied Plover C R C C

Lesser Golden Plover R R R

Snowy Plover F F

Wilson’s Plover B C C C U

Semipalmated Plover C U C C

Piping Plover U U U

Killdeer B C U C C

American Oystercatcher R

Black-necked Stilt B U R U R

American Avocet C U C C

Greater Yellowlegs C U C C

Lesser Yellowlegs C U C C

Solitary Sandpiper U U R

Willet ? C U C C

Spotted Sandpiper C C C

Upland Sandpiper F F

Whimbrel U R U U

Long-billed Curlew R R R

Hudsonian Godwit F F

Marbled Godwit C R C C

Ruddy Turnstone C U C C

Red Knot U R U U

Sanderling U U U

Semipalmated Sandpiper U U R

Western Sandpiper C R C C

Least Sandpiper C U C C

White-rumped Sandpiper R R

Baird’s Sandpiper R

Pectoral Sandpiper C C R

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper F

Dunlin C C C

Curlew Sandpiper F

Stilt Sandpiper U U R

Buff-breasted Sandpiper F

Ruff F

Short-billed Dowitcher C U C C

Long-billed Dowitcher U U U R

Common Snipe U U U

American Woodcock R R

Wilson’s Phalarope F

Red-necked Phalarope F

Parasitic Jaeger F

Laughing Gull B C C C C

Franklin’s Gull F

Bonaparte’s Gull U U

Ring-billed Gull C U C C

Herring Gull C U C C

Lesser Black-backed Gull F

Great Black-backed Gull F

Gull-billed Tern U U U U

Caspian Tern C R C C

Royal Tern C U C C

Sandwich Tern U U U U

Roseate Tern R

Common Tern U U U

Forster’s Tern C U C C

Least Tern B C C U

Bridled Tern F

Sooty Tern F F

Black Tern U U U R

Brown Noddy F F

Black Skimmer C C C C

Rock Dove* F F F F

White-crowned Pigeon B C C C U

White-winged Dove F F F F

Zenaida Dove F

Mourning Dove B C C C C

Common Ground Dove B U U U U

Key West Quail Dove F F

Budgerigar (escapes) F F

Rose-ringed Parakeet (escapes) F

Monk Parakeet (escapes) F

Canary-winged Parakeet (escapes) F

Yellow-billed Cuckoo B C C C R

Mangrove Cuckoo B U U U U

Smooth-billed Ani B U U U U

Groove-billed Ani F F F

Common Barn Owl B U U U U

Eastern Screech Owl B C C C C

Great Horned Owl B R R R R

Burrowing Owl R

Barred Owl B C C C C

Long-eared Owl F

Short-eared Owl R R R

Lesser Nighthawk F F

Common Nighthawk B C C C R

Chuck-will’s-widow B C C C R

Whip-poor-will U U C

Chimney Swift R

Ruby-throated Hummingbird C R C C

Belted Kingfisher C R C C

Red-headed Woodpecker F

Red-bellied Woodpecker B C C C C

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker U U C

Downy Woodpecker B U U U U

Hairy Woodpecker B R R R R

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Extirpated

Northern Flicker B C C C C

Pileated Woodpecker B C C C C

Ivory-billed Woodpecker Extirpated

Olive-sided Flycatcher F

Eastern Wood Pewee U U R

Acadian Flycatcher R

Willow Flycatcher R

Least Flycatcher U U U R

Eastern Phoebe C C C

Say’s Phoebe F

Vermilion Flycatcher F F

Great Crested Flycatcher B C C C C

Brown-crested Flycatcher R R

Tropical Kingbird F F

Western Kingbird U U U

Eastern Kingbird B C C C R

Gray Kingbird B C C C

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher R R R

Purple Martin C C C

Tree Swallow C C C

Northern Rough-winged Swallow U U R

Bank Swallow U U

Cliff Swallow R U

Barn Swallow B U R C R

Blue Jay B C C C C

American Crow B C C C C

Fish Crow F

Tufted Titmouse R R

White-breasted Nuthatch F

Brown-headed Nuthatch Extirpated

Brown Creeper F

Carolina Wren B C C C C

House Wren C C C

Winter Wren F

Sedge Wren U U U

Marsh Wren U U U

Ruby-crowned Kinglet U U U

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher C C C

Eastern Bluebird Extirpated

Veery U U

Gray-cheeked Thrush U U

Swainson’s Thrush U U F

Hermit Thrush U U R

Wood Thrush R R F

American Robin R-C

Gray Catbird C C C

Northern Mockingbird B C C C C

Brown Thrasher U U U

Water Pipit R R

Cedar Waxwing R-C R-C R-C

Loggerhead Shrike B U U U U

European Starling* B U U U U

Hill Myna (probably escapes) F

Thick-billed Vireo F

White-eyed Vireo B C C C C

Bell’s Vireo F F

Solitary Vireo U U U

Yellow-throated Vireo U U U

Warbling Vireo F F

Philadelphia Vireo R R

Red-eyed Vireo C C F

Black-whispered Vireo B C C C

Blue-winged Warbler R R F

Golden-winged Warbler R R

Tennessee Warbler U U R

Orange-crowned Warbler U U U

Nashville Warbler F R F

Northern Parula C R C C

Yellow Warbler B C C C U

Chestnut-sided Warbler R R

Magnolia Warbler U U R

Cape May Warbler U-C U-C R

Black-throated Blue Warbler C C U-R

Yellow-rumped Warbler R-C R-C C

Black-throated Gray Warbler F

Black-throated Green Warbler U U U

Blackburnian Warbler U U F

Yellow-throated Warbler C U C C

Pine Warbler B C C C C

Kirtland’s Warbler F

Prairie Warbler B C C C C

Palm Warbler C C C

Bay-breasted Warbler F F

Blackpoll Warbler C R

Cerulean Warbler R

Black-and-white Warbler C C C

American Redstart C U C U

Prothonotary Warbler U U F

Worm-eating Warbler U U R

Swainson’s Warbler R R

Ovenbird C C C

Northern Waterthrush C C C

Louisiana Waterthrush C U C R

Kentucky Warbler R R F

Connecticut Warbler R

Mourning Warbler F

Common Yellowthroat B C C C C

Hooded Warbler U U F

Wilson’s Warbler R R F

Yellow-breasted Chat U U U

Bananaquit F

Stripe-headed Tanager F

Summer Tanager R R F

Scarlet Tanager F F F

Western Tanager F F F

Northern Cardinal B C C C C

Rose-breasted Grosbeak U U R

Blue Grosbeak U U F

Indigo Bunting C C R

Painted Bunting C C U-R

Dickcissel F F F

Rufous-sided Towhee B C C C C

Black-faced Grassquit F F

Bachman’s Sparrow F F F

Chipping Sparrow R R R

Clay-colored Sparrow R R R

Field Sparrow U U U

Vesper Sparrow F F F

Lark Sparrow F F

Lark Bunting F F

Savannah Sparrow C C C

Grasshopper Sparrow U U U

Le Conte’s Sparrow F

Sharp-tailed Sparrow R R U

Seaside Sparrow R

Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow B C C C C

Song Sparrow F

Lincoln’s Sparrow R-U

Swamp Sparrow C C C

White-throated Sparrow F F

White-crowned Sparrow R F

Dark-eyed Junco F F

Bobolink C C F

Red-winged Blackbird B C C C C

Eastern Meadowlark B C C C C

Yellow-headed Blackbird R R R

Rusty Blackbird F

Brewer’s Blackbird R

Boat-tailed Grackle B C C C C

Common Grackle B C C C C

Bronzed Cowbird F

Brown-headed Cowbird U U R

Orchard Oriole U U

Spot-breasted Oriole F

Northern Oriole (Baltimore race) C C R

Northern Oriole (Bullock’s race) R R R

Pine Siskin F

American Goldfinch C C C

House Sparrow* B U U U U

Checklists of Reptiles and Amphibians

More than 50 species of reptiles, including 26 species of snakes and 16 species of turtles, have been found in Everglades National Park. The reptiles include, of course, the alligator, which is the symbol of the Everglades. Less conspicuous than the reptiles are the 18 species of amphibians that live here. Many are nocturnal. These lists represent species found within the park or nearby. Species considered exotic to Everglades National Park are marked with an asterisk (*).

Reptiles

American crocodile Crocodylus acutus

American alligator Alligator mississippiensis

Florida snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina

Striped mud turtle Kinosternum bauri

Stinkpot Sternotherus odoratus

Florida box turtle Terrapene carolina

Diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin

Peninsula cooter Chrysemys floridanis

Florida redbelly turtle Chrysemys nelsoni

Florida chicken turtle Deirochelys reticularia

Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus

Atlantic green turtle Chelonia mydas

Atlantic hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata

Atlantic loggerhead Caretta caretta

Atlantic ridley Lepidochelys kempi

Florida softshell Trionyx ferox

Indopacific gecko Hemidactylus garnoti*

Florida reef gecko Shpaerodactylus notatus

Green anole Anolis carolinensis

Brown anole Anolis sagrai*

Knight anole Anolis equestris*

Common iguana Iguana iguana*

Ground skink Scincella lateralis

Eastern glass lizard Ophisaurus ventralis

Island glass lizard Ophisaurus compressus

Florida green water snake Nerodia cyclopion

Brown water snake Nerodia taxispilota

Florida water snake Nerodia fasciata pictiventris

Mangrove salt marsh snake Nerodia fasciata compressicauda

South Florida swamp snake Seminatrix pygaea

Florida brown snake Stoeria dekayi

Eastern garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis

Peninsula ribbon snake Thamnophis sauritus

Striped crayfish snake Regina alleni

Eastern hognose snake Heterodon platyrhinos

Southern ringneck snake Diadopis punctatus

Eastern mud snake Farancia abacura

Everglades racer Coluber constrictor

Eastern coachwhip Masticophis flagellum

Rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus

Eastern indigo Drymarchon corais

Corn snake Elaphe guttata

Everglades rat snake Elaphe obsoleta

Yellow rat snake Elaphe obsoleta quadrivitatta

Florida kingsnake Lampropeltis getulus

Scarlet kingsnake Lampropeltis triangulum

Florida scarlet snake Cemophora coccinea

Eastern coral snake Micrurus fulvius

Florida cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus

Dusky pygmy rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius

Eastern diamondback Crotalus adamanteus

Amphibians

Two-toed amphiuma Amphiuma means

Greater siren Siren lacertina

Everglades dwarf siren Pseudobranchus striatus belli

Peninsula newt Notophthalmus viridescens

Eastern spadefoot toad Scaphiophus holbrooki

Greenhouse frog Eleuthrodactylus planirostris*

Southern toad Bufo terrestris

Oak toad Bufo quercicus

Florida cricket frog Acris gryllus

Green treefrog Hyla cinerea

Squirrel treefrog Hyla squirella

Cuban treefrog Osteopilus septentrionalis*

Little grass frog Limneaodus ocularis

Florida chorus frog Pseudacris nigrita

Eastern narrow-mouth toad Gastrophyne carolinesis

Pig frog Rana grylio

Southern leopard frog Rana spenocephala

Checklist of Trees and Tree-like Plants

A tree is defined here as a woody plant at least 12 feet high with a single trunk 2 inches or more in diameter at breast height. A tree-like plant is one with the general shape and size of a tree, but one which is not woody or otherwise fails to meet the definition. The arrangement of families is generally the same as that of Small’s Manual of Southeastern Flora (1933) and Long and Lakela’s A Flora of Tropical Florida (1971). Genera and species are listed alphabetically in each family. Nomenclature follows Avery and Loope, Plants of Everglades National Park: A Preliminary Checklist of Vascular Plants (1983). In the checklist, the introduced species are followed by a symbol, key below, that describes the plants’ success in the Everglades. Native plants list only their name.

We Well established. An exotic plant that has become widely naturalized, with a large population.

Sl Slightly naturalized. An exotic plant that has a small foothold, often found near a mature tree that acts as a seed source.

Pr Persistent. An exotic plant that goes on living for a long time after it is planted, and that may appear to be native or naturalized.

Sm Small, rarely tree-sized. A plant that may sometimes become a tree, but that often does not meet the definition.

Cu Cultivated only. Known only as a cultivated species, but which is retained on this list because either Small or Long and Lakela treat it as native or naturalized.

PINE FAMILY: PINACEAE

South Florida Slash Pine Pinus elliottii var. densa

BALD CYPRESS FAMILY: TAXODIACEAE

Pond cypress Taxodium ascendens

Bald cypress Taxodium distichum

PALM FAMILY: ARECACEAE

Paurotis palm Acoelorraphe wrightii

Silver palm Coccothrinax argentata

Coconut Cocos nucifera Sl

Royal palm Roystonea elata

Cabbage palm Sabal palmetto

Saw palmetto Serenoa repens

Thatch palm Thrinax radiata

CENTURY PLANT FAMILY: AGAVACEAE

False sisal Agave decipiens

Sisal Agave sisalana We

Spanish dagger Yucca aloifolia

BANANA FAMILY: MUSACEAE

Banana Musaceae musa × paradisiaca

BEEFWOOD FAMILY: CASUARINACEAE

Australian-pine Casuarina equisetifolia We

Suckering Australian-pine Casuarina glauca Pr

WILLOW FAMILY: SALIACACEAE

Willow Salix caroliniana

BAYBERRY FAMILY: MYRICACEAE

Wax-myrtle Myrica cerifera

OAK FAMILY: FAGACEAE

Laurel oak Quercus laurifolia

Live oak Quercus virginiana

ELM FAMILY: ULMACEAE

Hackberry Celtis laevigata

West Indian trema Trema lamarckianum

Florida trema Trema micranthum

MULBERRY FAMILY: MORACEAE

Strangler fig Ficus aurea

Shortleaf fig Ficus citrifolia

Red mulberry Morus rubra

XIMENIA FAMILY: OLACACEAE

Graytwig Schoepfia chrysophylloides

Tallowwood Ximenia americana

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY: POLYGONACEAE

Pigeon plum Coccoloba diversifolia

Sea grape Coccoloba uvifera

FOUR-O-CLOCK FAMILY: NYCTAGINACEAE

Blolly Guapira discolor

Push-and-hold-back Pisonia aculeata

MAGNOLIA FAMILY: MAGNOLIACEAE

Sweet bay Magnolia virginiana

CUSTARD-APPLE FAMILY: ANNONACEAE

Pond apple Annona glabra

LAUREL FAMILY: LAURACEAE

Lancewood Nectandra coriacea

Red-bay Persea borbonia

Avocado Persea americana var. americana

CAPER FAMILY: CAPPARACEAE

Jamaica caper Capparis cynophallophora

Limber caper Capparis flexuosa Sm

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ROSE FAMILY: ROSACEAE

West Indian cherry Prunus myrtifolia

COCO-PLUM FAMILY: CHRYSOBALANACEAE

Coco-plum Chrysobalanus icaco

PEA FAMILY: FABACEAE

Sweet acacia Acacia farnesiana

Acacia pinetorum Sm

Shy leaf Aeschynomene americana var. americana

Aeschynomene pratensis var. pratensis

Women’s tongue Albizia lebbeck Sl

Orchid tree Bauhinia purpurea Sl

Cassia aspera

Bahama senna Cassia Chapmanii

Cassia deeringiana

Golden shower Cassia fistula Pr

Cassia ligustrina

Sickle-pod Cassia obtusifolia

Dalbergia brownei

Royal ponciana Delonix regia

Coral-bean Erythrina herbacea

Jumbie bean Leucaena leucocephala Sl

Wild tamarind Lysiloma latisiliquum

Jamaica dogwood Piscidia piscipula

Black-bead Pithecellobium guadalupense

Cat’s claw Pithecellobium unguis-cati

Necklace pod Sophora tomentosa

RUE FAMILY: RUTACEAE

Citrus spp. Pr

Wild lime Zanthoxylum fagara

AILANTHUS FAMILY: SIMAROUBACEAE

Alvaradoa amorphoides

Paradise-tree Simarouba glauca

BAY CEDAR FAMILY: SURIANACEAE

Bay cedar Suriana maritima Sm

BURSERA FAMILY: BURSERACEAE

Gumbo-limbo Bursera simaruba

MAHOGANY FAMILY: MELIACEAE

Mahogany Swietenia mahagoni

MALPIGHIA FAMILY: MALPIGHIACEAE

Locust-berry Brysonima lucida

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SPURGE FAMILY: EUPHORBIACEAE

Crabwood Ateramnus lucidus

Bischofia javanica Sl

Milk Bark Drypetes diversifolia

Guiana-plum Drypetes lateriflora

Manchineel Hippomane mancinella

CASHEW FAMILY: ANACARDIACEAE

Poisonwood Metopium toxiferum

Southern sumac Rhus copallina var. leucantha

Brazilian-pepper Schinus terebinthifolius We

Hogplum Spondias purpurea

HOLLY FAMILY: AQUIFOLIACEAE

Dahoon Ilex cassine

Tawnyberry holly Ilex krugiana

BITTERSWEET FAMILY: CELASTRACEAE

Ground holly Crossopetalum ilicifolium Sm

Rhacoma Crossopetalum rhacoma Sm

Guttapercha mayten Maytenus phyllanthoides

MAPLE FAMILY: ACERACEAE

Red maple Acer rubum

SOAPBERRY FAMILY: SAPINDACEAE

Varnish-leaf Dodonaea viscose var. linearis

Inkwood Exothea paniculata

White ironwood Hypelate trifoliata

Spanish lime Melicoccus bijugatus Pr

Soapberry Sapindus saponaria

BUCKTHORN FAMILY: RHAMNACEAE

Coffee colubrina Colubrina arborescens

Colubrina asiatica

Cuban colubrina Colubrina cubensis Sm

Black ironwood Krugiodendron ferreum

ELAEOCARPUS FAMILY: ELAEOCARPACEAE

Strawberry-tree Muntinoia calabura Pr

MALLOW FAMILY: MALVACEAE

Wild cotton Gossypium hirsutum

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Pr

Turk’s cap Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus

Cork tree Thespesia populnea

CANELLA FAMILY: CANELLACEAE

Wild-cinnamon Cannela winterana

PAPAYA FAMILY: CARICACEAE

Papaya Carica papaya

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CACTUS FAMILY: CACTACEAE

Prickly apple Cereus gracilus var. simpsonii

Dildo Cereus pentagonus

MANGROVE FAMILY: RHIZOPHORACEAE

Red mangrove Rhizophora mangle

COMBRETUM FAMILY: COMBRETACEAE

Black olive Bucida buceras Pr

Buttonwood Conocarpus erectus

White mangrove Laguncularia racemosa

Indian almond Terminalia catappa Pr

MYRTLE FAMILY: MYRTACEAE

Bottlebrush Callistemon viminalis Pr

Spicewood Calyptranthes pallens var. pallens

Myrtle-of-the-river Calyptranthes zuzygium

White stopper Eugenia axillaris

Spanish stopper Eugenia foetida

Cajeput Melaleuca quinquenervia Sl

Simpson stopper Myrcianthes fragans var. simpsonii

Guava Psidium guajava We

Long-stalked stopper Psidium longipes var. longipes Sm

MEADOW-BEAUTY FAMILY: MELASTOMATACEAE

Spanish leather Tetrazygia bicolor

JOE-WOOD FAMILY: THEOPHRASTACEAE

Joe-wood Jacquinia keyensis

MYRSINE FAMILY: MYRSINACEAE

Marlberry Ardisia escallonioides

Shoebutton ardisia Ardisia solanacea We

Myrsine Myrsine floridana

SAPODILLA FAMILY: SAPOTACEAE

Saffron-plum Bumelia celastrina

Bumelia reclinata var. reclinata Sm

Willow bustic Bumelia salicifolia

Satin leaf Chrysophyllum oliviforme

Wild dilly Manilkara bahamensis

Mastic Mastichodendron foetidissimum

EBONY FAMILY: EBENACEAE

Persimmon Diospyros virginiana

OLIVE FAMILY: OLEACEAE

Wild-olive Forestiera segregata var. pinetorum Sm

Florida-privet Forestiera segregata var. segregata Sm

Pop ash Fraxinus caroliniana

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DOGBANE FAMILY: APOCYNACEAE

Thevetia peruviana Pr

Pearl-berry Vallesia antillana

BORAGE FAMILY: BORAGINACEAE

Smooth strongbark Bourreria cassinifolia

Strongbark Bourreria ovata

Geiger-tree Cordia sebestena

BLACK MANGROVE FAMILY: AVICENNIACEAE

Black Mangrove Avicennia germinans

VERBENA FAMILY: VERBENACEAE

Fiddlewood Citharexylum fructicosum

Java Glory-bowers Cleradendrum speciosissimum

POTATO FAMILY: SOLANACEAE

Potato tree Solanum erianthum

MADDER FAMILY: RUBIACEAE

Seven-year-apple Casasia clusiifolia

Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis

Black torch Erithalis fruticosa Sm

Velvet seed Guettarda elliptica

Rough velvet-seed Guettarda scabra

Firebush Hamelia patens

Indigo-berry Randia aculeata Sm

HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY: CAPRIFOLIACEAE

Southern elderberry Sambucus canadensis

ASTER FAMILY: ASTERACEAE

Groundsel-tree Baccharis glomeruliflora Sm

Groundsel-tree Baccharis halimifolia Sm

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