Common Plant  Communities in Central Florida
 

Cypress domes and cypress strands – usually found in flatwoods and savanna landscapes, good examples on public lands are found in Hillsborough River State Park.

Hydric Hammock- found primarily along the St. Johns River drainage, good examples on public lands can be found in the Tosahatchee State Preserve

Hydric pine flatwoods –throughout. Good examples on public lands are found in the Tosahatchee State Preserve.

Savanna/wet prairie – might find this in areas with low relief near the coast. Good example on public lands is found in Myakka River State Park.

Bayhead – Throughout. Good examples on public lands are found in Wekiwa Springs State Park, Lake Tibet Butler County Park (Orange).

Seepage slope/bog – found primarily along the slopes of the Lake Wales Ridge, a unique type of seepage slope known as a "Cutthroat Grass" seepage slopes is found only in Florida along the Lake Wales Ridge (this is an example of an ENDEMIC plant community). Good examples on public access areas for pond pine seepage slopes can be found in Wekiwa Springs State Park; while examples of cutthroat grass seepage that is accessible to the public can be found in Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, located east of Avon Park.

Floodplain forest – found along streams and rivers. Good example on public lands are found in the Hillsborough River State Park and Oklawaha River in the Ocala National Forest.

Floodplain marsh – found along larger rivers such as the St. Johns River drainage. Good examples on public lands are found in the Tosahatchee State Preserve.

Depression marsh – throughout. Good examples on public lands are found in Hillsborough River State Park.

Lakeshore marsh/swamp – Associated with large lakes, throughout. Good examples on public lands are found in Lake Tibet Butler County Park (Orange).

Spring-run – found wherever there are springs. Good examples on public lands are found in Wekiwa Springs State Park, Blue Springs State Park, Silver Springs State Park as well as many springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Salt marsh – only in coastal areas. Examples on public lands are found in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (Brevard County); Within salt marsh and mangrove swamps one can also find hypersaline flats. Good examples of hypersaline flats on public lands can be found in (look in the upper mangrove fringes) in Upper Tampa Bay Park (a Hillsborough County Park). See our webpage for illustrated guide to saltmarsh vegetation.

Mangrove swamps– only in coastal areas, restricted to tropical and subtropical climates along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico; mangroves may be damaged by cold winters along the central Florida coast. Good examples of red, white and black mangroves on public lands are found in Upper Tampa Bay (county) Park (Hillsborough County). See our webpage for illustrated guide to mangrove vegetation.

Uplands

Sandhill – Examples: Wekiwa Springs area, Lake Wales Ridge and Ocala National Forest.

Scrub – Examples: Lake Wales Ridge and Ocala National Forest.

Coastal Hammock - found landward of the dunes in coastal counties, more common on the Atlantic side of the peninsula in the central Florida area.

Beach dune – found in coastal counties associated with both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Mixed mesophytic forest - rare, reaching its southern limit north of the Orlando area. Examples: Wekiwa Springs State Park.

Pine flatwoods – Throughout. Good examples on public land are found in Hillsborough River State Park