Common name:    Smooth Privetleaf, Privetleaf Wild-Coffee Botanical name:    Psychotria ligustrifolia Family name:         Rubiaceae An evergreen shrub with dark, glossy leaves, P. ligustrifolia produces small, brilliant red berries.  In the shade it grows tall and open to reach light.  In full sun it is a dense shrub. Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 204.  Internet reference

Common name:     White Indigoberry Botanical name:    Randia aculeata Family name:          Rubiaceae To the right of Snowberry is this evergreen shrub with rounded, evergreen leaves on stiff branches. It  produces small, fragrant, white flowers.  These  mature into slowly ripening marble-sized berries that contain seeds embedded in a dark blue-purple pulp giving the common name "Indigoberry".  The berries have been used to obtain a blue dye.  White

Internet reference

Common name:     Jamaica Caper Botanical name:     Capparis cynophallophora Family name:           Capparidaceae Jamaica Caper is an outstanding evergreen shrub growing naturally in a pyramidal shape.  The two-tone glossy leaves look dark and light at the same time.  In the spring and summer each branch is tipped with a fragrant white flower with long anthers.  Each flower has male and female parts and it is quite a trick for pollinators to get the pollen from the anthers to the female pistil.  Internet reference

Common name:      Bahama Strongbark Botanical name:     Bourreria succulenta Family name:           Boraginaceae Bahama Strongbark is a cascading evergreen tree that grows to a height of 20-30 feet. Throughout spring and summer it produces clusters of half inch fragrant white flowers that are attractive to butterflies.  The flowers are followed in autumn by orange berries that birds love. Its overall look is reminiscent of mountain ash (Sorbus spp.) that is grown in northern gardens. It is an excellent candidate for a small-space garden as a single specimen, or grouped as a screening plant. This tree occurs naturally on coastal hammocks in the Keys and Miami-Dade County. It is nearly extinct in the wild due to habitat destruction. – Darrin Duling

years. This AOS Chickee Hut is a nice shady spot for educational meetings. It was generously underwritten by Barbara Ansley. – Darrin Duling

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Common name:     Florida Scarlet Sage Botanical name:    Salvia coccinea `Lady in Red’ Family name:          Lamiaceae Unlike bedding salvias that are compact, Lady in Red Salvia grows to 2.5 feet.  In south Florida it can bloom all year round producing brilliant red flowers.  It is a self-sowing annual or short-lived perennial wildflower that benefits from occasional pruning and will also flourish in some shade. Cultivars are now available with

Unlike the northern variety, the Southern Slash Pine’s growing bud is resistant to fire and its shorter height (50 feet) and denser wood protects it from hurricanes. Its wood is used in construction and its high resin content makes it useful to produce railroad ties and turpentine. Palm Beach County Parks donated three of the Southern Slash Pines and moved them here from Morikami Park. Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 223.

Common name:     Black-Eyed-Susan Botanical name:     Rudbeckia hirta Family name:           Asteraceae This wildflower puts on a brilliant flower display spring through autumn. Some of the flower heads should be allowed to produce a seed crop for the next season’s blooms.  Plants from self-sown seed have the best qualities. Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 73.

The Vanilla Orchid, Vanilla species, is mounted on the trunk of this West Indian Mahogany.  Vanilla flavoring comes from the seedpods of this orchid. The small black specks you see in vanilla ice cream are orchid seeds! Marion Weems donated the vanilla orchids. Internet reference

Common name:     Saw Palmetto, Blue Palmetto      Botanical name:     Serenoa repens Family name:           Arecaceae "On the north side of the chickee hut is a grouping of Saw Palmetto.  This tough salt and drought tolerant palm is one of the most abundant palms native to Florida.  Our silvery-blue form occurs along the Atlantic Coast in Florida. It grows to about six feet in cultivation. Mature plants produce attractive large berries in the autumn. The berries have been used to improve urinary flow in men with an enlarged prostate.  Beware the  sharp saw-tooth leaves that can cut skin.

Common name:    Elderberry Botanical name:    Sambucus canadensis Family name:         Adoxaceae Elderberry is native to Eastern North America going as far west as Texas and Minnesota. It usually is deciduous but  in central and south Florida leaves may remain throughout the year.  Growing to 15 feet , it has soft, brittle branches and forms dense thickets from suckers.  Showy, white flower clusters may occur every month in Florida followed by  blue-black edible fruit loved by birds.  Cooked elderberries are the source of the well-known elderberry jelly and wine. Internet reference

Common name:     Scrub Palmetto Botanical name:     Sabal etonia Family name:           Arecaceae Located beind Cocoplum, Scrub Palmetto has fan-shaped (palmate) leaves and may grow to 6 feet in garden conditions.  Its trunk and growing bud are  safely tucked below ground.  After total defoliation by fire, scrub palm begins sprouting new leaves within two days. Bok Tower Gardens donated the Scrub Palmetto specimens. Internet reference

Sea-lavender is a silver gray evergreen shrub that grows in mounds.  The low branches root as they are covered by sand along beaches.  Flowers and fruit occur from winter through spring. Erosion and development along beaches in south Florida reduced the population of Sea-Lavender so that is now listed as an endangered species. Fishermen use the leaves for "black tea".  It has been used elsewhere to induce abortions in women and to treat venereal diseases in men. Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 159. Internet reference

Common name:     West Indian Mahogany Botanical name:     Swietenia mahogani (S. mahogoni) Family name:          Meliaceae West Indian Mahogany may grow 40-60 feet tall.  It has an attractive stout trunk and wide, dense canopy.  Flowers are inconspicuous but the fruits maturing in autumn are large capsules that release long-winged, flat seeds. This tree is the source of the finest cabinet wood, especially wood from wild trees.  It is now endangered because of over-harvesting. Caledonia Nursery donated this specimen.

Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 244.  Internet reference

emetic and purgative toxin. They should be kept out of reach of young children. Internet reference

Common name:     Strawberry Bush, Hearts-A’-Burstin’ Botanical name:     Euonymus americanus Family name:           Celastraceae E. americanus is a deciduous bush grown as far north as New York. It is sometimes evergreen southward. It has few erect branches. Reclining branches on the ground form roots at the tip (stolons) and produce new plants. Leaves are finely toothed and enjoyed by white-tailed deer. The fruit is most unusual with  crimson

Common name:     Blolly, Beef Tree Botanical name:     Guapira discolor Family name:           Nyctaginaceae Blolly is a small to medium sized evergreen tree with leathery round leaves. After inconspicuous flowers, female trees produce small red berries in summer and autumn that are enjoyed by birds.  Variations in plant size, density and leaf texture have been noted but so far no cultivars have been named. It is hardy, easily propagated from seed and a beautiful sight when full of red berries. A large Blolly specimen is located at the entrance to the Vaughn garden.

Common name:     Swamp Rose Botanical name:     Rosa palustris Family name:           Rosaceae Swamp Rose may grow to 7 feet but can be used for massing and edges.  Pink flowers occur once a year in midsummer and last for 6-8 weeks. Red fleshy fruit follows the flowers. Internet reference

pink, white, or bi-colored flowers. Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 74. Internet reference

Along the north side of the path toward the Chickee Hut are the following specimens.

Common name:     Snowberry Botanical name:    Chiococca alba Family name:          Rubiaceae On the left railing is Snowberry, a Florida native evergreen vine with shiny, dark green, leathery leaves.  Its common name refers to the large, ovoid, sparkling white fruit that follows the flowers in the spring. In Tropical Americas a concoction of the roots has been used as a cure-all for diseases. Internet reference

Indigoberry is a nearly indestructible drought-tolerant plant. Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 207.

The Chickee Hut received a new roof in 2008.

Common name:     Yellow Necklace Pod Botanical name:     Sophora tomentosa var. truncata Family name:           Fabaceae Yellow Necklace Pod is an evergreen shrub that is never far from the coast where it is drought and salt tolerant.  It flowers all year round except during cold or dry periods. After flowering, unusual fruits are produced in the shape of 4-6 inch long bean pods that are constricted between the seeds. The shrub is a host plant for caterpillars of sulphur butterflies. The seeds contain cytisine, a strongly

Please go back on this path to view the specimens on the opposite, (east) side starting after Wild Plumbago on the corner.

The Red Tip Cocoplum is not as cold tolerant as the all green variety. Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 171.

Now enter the Chckee Hut for some shade, a rest, and cold water.

Common name:      Pink Nymph    Botanical name:     Salvia coccinea `Pink Nymph’ Family name:           Lamiaceae S. coccinea, commonly known as Red Sage, is a wildflower with brilliant red flowers.  The color range of this species has been extended to include pink in our cultivar, `Pink Nymph’.  Removal of spent plants helps self-sown seedlings grow.

Common name:     Golden Dewdrop, Sky-flower Botanical name:     Duranta erecta `Variegata’, D. repens Family name:           Verbenaceae Golden dewdrop is a large, sprawling evergreen shrub with droopy branches.  In late fall and winter, berries hang in clusters like golden dewdrops.  The five petaled flowers are sky blue, giving it the other common name, “Sky-flower”. A white alba form exists and our cultivar has green and white variegated leaves.

Common name:     Southern Slash Pine Botanical name:     Pinus elliottii var. densa Family name:           Pinaceae Located west of (behind) the chickee hut is the Southern Slash Pine. There are two varieties of Slash Pine, Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, the Northern Slash Pine, and our Southern Slash Pine.  The dividing line geographically is central Florida.  Each variety must be grown in its own geographic area to flourish.

Common name:     Chapman’s Senna Botanical name:     Cassia bahamensis (Senna mexicana var. chapmanii ) Family name:           Fabaceae This dwarf shrubby plant is semi-dormant during prolonged dry or cold spells.  It produces large yellow flowers mostly in autumn and spring.  Sulphur butterfly caterpillars feed on the leaves of plants in the bean family (Fabaceae) including Chapman’s Senna.  Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 211.  Internet reference

Common name:     Dahoon Holly Botanical name:     Ilex cassine Family name:          Aquifoliaceae Dahoon Holly is a small tree that has a narrow growth habit of upward pointing branches that grows to a height of up to 30 feet.  It grows in damp and swampy areas but once established it will tolerate some drought.  Toward winter female trees are covered with brilliant red berries.  The berries add color to Christmas holiday arrangements.  Dahoon Holly is listed as a commercially exploited species by the Florida Department of Agriculture and wild populations should not be disturbed. Internet reference

Common name:     Geiger Tree Botanical name:     Cordia sebestena Family name:           Boraginaceae Geiger Tree is evergreen and grows as a small tree to 25 feet tall and wide.  Its large 7 inch leaves may look smooth but touching them reveals a sandpaper texture due to coarse hairs.  The flowers that may occur year round in south Florida are intensely orange.  This tree took on the name Geiger many years ago when a resident of Key West by that name had a beautiful specimen.  It is possible it was introduced to Florida from the West Indies so that its Florida nativity is debated.

Coming out of the Chickee Hut turn right (south) to view the specimens begining with Cocoplum.

Common name:     Paradise Tree Botanical name:    Simarouba glauca Family name:          Simaroubaceae Paradise tree is considered by many gardeners in our area to be one of the handsomest Florida native trees. It grows up to 50 feet, producing a broad canopy of dark green, glossy, pinnate leaves that emerge as a bright red color.  In early spring large, elegant sprays of tiny, cream colored flowers appear, with each individual tree bearing either male or female flowers (a condition called dioecious flowering). If both male and female specimens are present the female trees will produce hanging clusters of olive-shaped fruit that turns from bright red to purple.  The leaves and bark of this tree have a long history of use in the tropics as a remedy for dysentery and malaria. In fact, in recent clinical trials extracts have indeed been found to be very effective against resistant malarial strains  – Darrin Duling. A Northern Mockingbird is enjoying a rest on our Paradise Tree. Internet reference

A second Paradise Tree is located here. It allows the female Paradise Tree across from it to bear fruit.

Common name:     Cocoplum Botanical name:    Chrysobalanus icaco`Red Tip’ Family name:          Chrysobalanaceae A versatile and easily grown evergreen plant, Cocoplum is commonly used as a trimmed hedge in South Florida or it can be left alone for an informal look.  It tolerates salt and drought making it useful for a coastal plant to help stabilize dunes.  Small white flowers are followed by large purple-black or white fruit that can be eaten raw or made into jellies.

Chickee Hut Chickee is the word Seminole Indians use for house.  The chickee style of architecture - palmetto thatch over a cypress log frame - was born during the early 1800’s when Seminole Indians, pursued by U.S. troops, needed fast, disposable shelter while on the run. So popular, efficient and functional is the chickee that such Seminole architecture can be seen all over South Florida. The chickee structure should last about ten years and needs to be re-thatched every five

Common name:     Sea-Lavender Botanical name:     Argusia gnaphalodes Family name:           Boraginaceae

warty strawberry-like capsules that split open to reveal scarlet seeds in the autumn. The fruit has been reported to be poisonous. Bok Tower gardens donated this specimen. Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 183. Internet reference

Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 255.

Common name:     Coral Bean    Botanical name:     Erythrina herbacea Family name:           Papillonaceae (Fabaceae) This spiny plant puts on a fine show when its bright reddish-pink flower spikes appear, attracting both people and nectar-loving hummingbirds. A common plant throughout Florida, Coral Bean is also found in sandy coastal areas from Texas to North Carolina. It is only in extreme southern Florida that this species will assume tree form; elsewhere it is killed back by frost and grows as a shrubby perennial in summer. Our tree is one of the largest of its type in Florida and usually  blooms after its leaves drop in early winter and then again in mid-spring.

Golden dewdrop is native to the West Indies and Central and South America. It occurs also in southern Florida where it is generally believed to have been introduced, although some authors have suggested that it might be native to the Florida Keys. Internet reference

Coral Bean is very fast growing, drought-tolerant, and virtually pest-free; however, stem-borers sometimes interfere with blooming and should be treated if present. S. Oliphant donated this Coral Bean from Freunds Flowering Trees. – Darrin Duling

Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 274.

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In the space behind the Paradise Tree  are Saw Palmetto and West Indian Mahogany.

Common name:     Starry Rosinweed Botanical name:     Silphium asteriscus Family name:           Asteraceae This native perennial wildflower produces flowers almost every month. The attractive yellow daisy flowers have a distinctive greenish central disk. Annual pruning to the ground to remove old stems and flowers helps keep Starry Rosinweed a hardy long-lived perennial. Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Page 125.

Several specimens are best viewed from within the Chickee Hut.