Common Plant Communities in Northwest Florida
 

Cypress domes and cypress strands (also known as stringers in North Florida) – usually found in flatwoods and savanna landscapes, examples with public access can be found in the Apalachicola National Forest.

Hydric Hammock – found in coastal counties, especially Wakulla and Taylor counties. Examples on public lands can be seen in the St. Mark National Wildlife Sanctuary.

Hydric pine flatwoods – scattered throughout the area, public access can be found in the Apalachicola National Forest.

Bayhead – Throughout, public access can be found in the Apalachicola National Forest.

Seepage slope/bog – Throughout, public access can be found in the Apalachicola National Forest and Blackwater River State Forest.

Floodplain forest/marsh/stream flora – Throughout, includes alluvial streams and blackwater streams, includes some ravine flora (at least in part). Good examples with public access are found in the following areas: Apalachicola National Forest, Blackwater River State Forest, Marianna Caverns State Park and Torreya State Park. Also various public boat ramps usually contain remnant floodplain forest. See the our webpage for an illustrated guide to floodplain trees in north Florida.

Slough - these are the shallow streams that typically run through Savannas – found in areas with low relief depending on plant composition, associated with cypress stringers. Good examples with public access are found in the Apalachicola National Forest.

Depression marsh – Throughout, interdunal swales are included in this designation as they are floristically related to freshwater marshes. Good examples with public access are found in the Apalachicola National Forest.

Lakeshore marsh/swamp – Throughout. Good examples with public access are found at public boat ramps associated with Lake Jackson (Leon County) and Lake Overstree and Lake Hall within Maclay State Gardens (Leon County).

Spring-run – includes floodplains/river marsh in part – found wherever there are springs. One of the best area to explore these unqiue areas is in the Wakulla Springs State Park along the hiking trail.

Salt marsh – locally common in coastal areas, includes hypersaline flats which occur within the marsh. Examples on public lands can be seen in the St. Mark National Wildlife Sanctuary, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, St. George Island State Park and Grayton Beach State Recreation Area. See the our webpage for an illustrated guide to saltmarsh plants of north Florida.

Freshwater swamps - a "catch-all" that in its broadest sense includes all freshwater forested wetlands such as titi swamps, red maple swamps, tupelo swamps, and an infinite variety of successional/disturbed swamps. Good examples with public access are found in the Apalachicola National Forest and Blackwater River State Forest.

Uplands

Sandhill – throughout, examples with public access can be found in the Apalachicola National Forest, Blackwater River State Forest, and Torreya State Park.

Coastal Scrub – locally common along the coast (rapidly being destroyed in northwest Florida), usually associated with beach dune and coastal hammocks. Examples with public access can be found in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, St. George Island State Park, Grayton Beach State Recreation Area.

Xeric Hammock/Coastal Hammock - locally common along the coast (rapidly being destroyed in northwest Florida), usually associated with beach dune and coastal scrub. Examples with public access can be found in Gulf Islands National Seashore, Naval Live Oaks (part of Santa Rosa Island National Seashore) St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, St. George Island State Park, Grayton Beach State Recreation Area.

Beach dune - locally common along the coast (rapidly being destroyed in northwest Florida), usually associated with beach scrub and coastal hammocks. Examples with public access can be found in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, St. George Island State Park, Grayto Beach State Recreation Area.

River bluff forest – associated with the larger rivers in northwest Florida; examples with public access can be found in the Apalachicola National Forest and Torreya State Park.

Mixed mesophytic - forest these are the climax forests with high tree diversity, generally related to the beech-magnolia forest type. Examples with public access can be found in Torreya State Park and Marianna Caverns State Park.

Upland mixed forests this is a catch-all to include all other variations of upland forest that might be successional in nature or subclimax types due to fire, soil or other environmental conditions.

Pine flatwoods – found throughout the area, examples with public access can be found in the Apalachicola National Forest.