florida native trees

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

• thrives in sandy soils

• large, broadleaf evergreen tree

• often adorned in spanish moss

• 40-80ft tall

• 60-100ft spread

• moderate to fast growth rate, particularly in its youth

• often living over 200 years

• small green flowers in spring

• produces oval acorns

• leaves are leathery, dark green, glossy on top, with a paler and hairy underside

• Gastrointestinal Health: The bark is used to treat acute diarrhea and dysentery due to its ability to reduce excessive fluid and tighten tissues.

• Topical/Skin Care: Decoctions of the bark are used externally to treat hemorrhoids, varicose veins, skin infections, and to stop bleeding.

• Oral Hygiene & Throat: Gargling with a bark decoction is used for inflamed gums, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis.

• Antimicrobial Activity: Research suggests Q. virginiana bark and leaves have antimicrobial properties, used to treat wounds and sometimes gonorrhea

Hop Tree (Ptelea trifoliata)

• shrub or small tree

• sprays of tiny star shaped greenish-white flowers (pictured) in late spring to early summer

• these change to clusters of hanging seed clusters, 1in across

• foliage turns greenish yellow in the fall

• aromatic and exudes an unpleasant citrus-oil aroma

• very important for the caterpillars of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Giant Swallowtail, as they feed on the leaves

• 15-20ft tall and wide

• adaptable to wide range of soil conditions

• Gastrointestinal Health: Considered a strong bitter tonic (historically compared to goldenseal) to improve appetite and soothe gastrointestinal irritation.

• Parasitic Infections: Used as an anthelmintic for treating worms, including pinworms and roundworms.

• Respiratory Issues: Used to treat bronchial congestion and asthmatic symptoms.

• External Application: Applied as a poultice or wash for wounds.

• Fevers: Used as an antiperiodic for treating intermittent fevers

American Sycamore (Planatus occidentalis)

• also known as Western Plane

• deciduous tree

• striking bark, which peels away in patches, revealing a mottled appearance

• living at least 200 years, sometimes even 500-600 years

• massive trunk and a broad, spreading habit

• 70-100ft tall and wide, one of the biggest trees in America

• songbirds like the seeds

• large, maple-shaped leaves

• small flowers give way to small, fuzzy long-stalked hanging balls that persist into winter

• Respiratory & Internal Ailments: A tea made from the inner bark was used to treat colds, coughs, tuberculosis, and lung ailments.

• Gastrointestinal Health: The inner bark acted as an astringent and was used to treat diarrhea and dysentery.

• Skin & External Issues: Bark infusions or "ooze" were applied to sores, skin eruptions, eczema, and infant rashes. It was also used to wash wounds.

• Other Uses: It was used to treat rheumatism (as a foot soak), hemorrhages, and as a blood purifier.

• Internal Pain: The bark was sometimes ingested to treat internal pain

Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris)

• evergreen coniferous tree

• straight trunk and short, stout branches

• bright green needles up to 14 in. long, longest of any eastern Northern American pine

• 6-10 in. long pine cones

• 80-100 ft. tall

• 30-40 ft. wide

• loves full sun in acidic soil

• Respiratory Relief: Pine needle tea acts as a stimulating expectorant, helping to remove mucus from the lungs and ease sore throats.

• Wound Care & Skin: The resin, or pitch, can be applied to cuts, burns, and splinters to seal them and provide antimicrobial protection.

• Immune Boost: Needles contain high levels of Vitamin C, historically used to prevent scurvy.

• Anti-inflammatory: Pine resin is used topically to relieve joint pain and rheumatism.

• Oral Health: Historically, resin was chewed to clean teeth and disinfect the mouth, or packed into toothaches

Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii)

• large evergreen conifer

• long dark shiny green needles, 6-12 in. long in bundles of 2-3 on the same branch

• bark is red-brown and furrowed when young, plating light-brown to cinnamon when grown

• 70-100 ft. tall, 30-50 ft. wide

• lives 150 years

• thriving in moist flatwoods, swamps, and sandy soils

• Resin (Pine Pitch): Known for its "drawing" capabilities, it is commonly used in salves to treat wounds, pull out splinters, and soothe bug bites. The sticky resin is antiseptic and was historically used to treat sores and boils.

• Needles: Fresh green needles are rich in Vitamin C and can be prepared as an infusion (tea) to combat colds, coughs, and congestion. They are also used in steam inhalations to clear sinuses.

• Inner Bark: Used as an expectorant to soothe phlegmy, congested coughs.

• Turpentine: Derived from the resin, it has historically been used to treat chronic bowel inflammation, rheumatism, urinary complaints, and skin ulcers.

Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)

• medium sized deciduous tree

• prolifically fruiting

• dark purplish-red edible oval fruits, 1 in. long

• 30-50 ft. tall, 30-40 ft. wide

• likes moist, shaded hammocks and floodplains

• Leaves: Brewed into tea to treat colds, chills, and fever.

• Bark/Sap: Traditionally used to treat ringworm.

• Fruit: Used to boost immunity and treat anemia.

• The berries are high in vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and calcium.

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

• nontoxic to humans and pets

• evergreen

• lemon-scented white blooms

• cone-like pods with red seeds in fall

• glossy green leaves, and rust colored undersides

• 60-80 ft. tall, 30-50 ft. spread

• Anxiety and Stress Relief: Magnolia bark extract is known for its ability to reduce anxiety, particularly in menopausal women, by helping to manage cortisol levels.

• Digestive Health: It is used to treat stomach disorders, constipation, nausea, and indigestion.

• Pain Relief and Inflammation:

  Used to treat arthritis, achy joints, and pain, particularly in the form of a tincture or liniment from the bark.

• Respiratory Issues: Used to alleviate coughing and asthma.

• Oral Health: Research suggests it can treat mild gum disease (gingivitis) and reduce bacteria.

• Traditional Uses: In addition to the above, it has historically been used to manage symptoms related to fever, high blood pressure, and epilepsy

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

• deciduous tree

• tall, straight trunk

• 60-80 ft. tall, 30-40 ft. spread

• 200-300 year life, sometimes 400+ years

• tulip shaped flowers in late spring to early summer

• bright yellow leaf color in fall

• glossy green foliage in summer

• Pain Relief & Rheumatism: The bark contains salicylates (similar to willow), making it useful for treating rheumatic pain and inflammation.

• Fever & Stimulant: It is a known diaphoretic (promotes sweating) and acts as a tonic for treating fevers, often used as a substitute for quinine or Peruvian bark.

• Gastrointestinal Health: Used as a remedy for indigestion, dysentery, and other stomach complaints.

• Wound Care & Skin Conditions: Bark infusions were used as wash or poultices for sores, boils, and wounds.

• Respiratory Care: Used to treat coughs and as a stimulant.

• Vermifuge: Used traditionally to expel worms

Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

• deciduous tree

• star-shaped leaves

• 60-80 ft. tall, 40-60 ft. spread

• 150+ year lifespan

• yellow-green flowers in spring, and “gumball” fruit that harden into brown spiky balls in fall

• deeply furrowed, rough bark with irregular ridges

• Resin/Sap (Storax): Known as a powerful antimicrobial and wound healer. It has been used to treat cuts, bruises, sores, ulcers, and skin conditions like scabies. Internally, it is used as an expectorant for coughs, bronchitis, and to treat diarrhea or dysentery.

• Green Seed Pods: Green, immature, or young seed pods are used to make tea or tinctures. They contain high concentrations of shikimic acid, which is used in the manufacturing of the antiviral drug Tamiflu®. These are used to boost the immune system and as a flu remedy.

• Bark & Leaves: The inner bark has been used in infusions as a sedative to calm nerves. Leaves have been used in poultices to treat skin irritations and insect bites.

• Traditional Uses: Cherokee Native Americans used the bark for diarrhea. Appalachian settlers blended the resin with whiskey for a dental wash, while Guatemalans used it as a skin deodorant.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

• evergreen conifer

• not a true cedar, but a species of juniper

• dense, pyramidal or columnar habit

• 40-50 ft. tall, 8-20 ft. spread

• 300+ year lifespan

• dioecious species

• females produce small, blue berry-like cones

• mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities

• Respiratory Support: Tea made from boughs is used to treat coughs, colds, flu, tonsillitis, and pneumonia.

• Skin Care and Topical Relief: It treats eczema, acne, rashes, and warts. Cedar oil acts as an antifungal agent for skin infections.

• Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relief: It is applied topically to soothe joint pain, arthritis, and rheumatism.

• Immune and Digestive Health: It has been used to address intestinal parasites and enhance digestion.

• Historical and Cultural Uses: Many Indigenous tribes used it for cleaning, childbirth recovery, and to stop hemorrhages.