The Everglades, a vast subtropical wetland ecosystem in Florida, supports a rich array of plant life. This distinctive landscape, often referred to as the “River of Grass,” is shaped by its unique hydrology and diverse habitats. The plant species found here demonstrate remarkable adaptations to the wet and often nutrient-poor conditions.
Iconic Wetland Grasses and Aquatic Plants
The dominant plant that defines the Everglades is sawgrass, Cladium jamaicense. This tall sedge forms extensive, dense stands across vast areas. Sawgrass thrives in the oligotrophic, phosphorus-limited conditions characteristic of undisturbed freshwater marshes in the Everglades. Its stiff, V-shaped leaves have sharply serrated margins.
Water lilies are another prominent group of aquatic plants found throughout the Everglades’ ponds, lakes, and sloughs. White water lilies (Nymphaea odorata) feature large, round leaves that float on the water’s surface and delicate blooms that open in the morning. These plants contribute to water purification and provide shade for aquatic organisms. Turtles, deer, muskrats, and certain birds, like the American coot, consume water lilies.
Cattails (Typha spp.) are also common in the Everglades, particularly in areas with higher nutrient levels or disturbed habitats. These tall, upright plants are recognizable by their cylindrical, brown flower spikes. Cattails can form dense stands, especially where phosphorus concentrations are elevated due to agricultural runoff. Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), with its bright purple flowers and spear-shaped leaves, adds vibrant color to the wetland margins. This plant’s tubular flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Trees Defining Everglades Habitats
Distinct tree species define specific habitats within the Everglades, ranging from freshwater swamps to coastal zones. Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) and pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) are characteristic of cypress domes and strands. Bald cypress trees often grow in deeper waters, identifiable by their buttressed trunks and “knees,” which are woody projections from their root systems. Pond cypress tends to grow in shallower, more isolated swamps and has a more slender, tapered trunk.
Along the coastal and brackish water zones, three main mangrove species are present: red, black, and white mangroves. Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) typically grow closest to the open water, recognized by their arching prop roots that anchor them in the soft sediment. Black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) are found slightly more inland, possessing vertical root-like structures called pneumatophores that emerge from the soil to facilitate gas exchange. White mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa) usually occupy the most inland positions, closer to upland areas. These mangroves can tolerate varying salinity levels, with red mangroves being the most salt-tolerant.
In higher elevation areas, particularly on limestone ridges, the South Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) forms pineland habitats. These pines are adapted to grow in thin layers of soil over limestone.
Unique Epiphytes and Specialized Flora
The Everglades also hosts a variety of specialized plant life, including numerous epiphytes, commonly known as air plants. These plants grow on other plants, such as trees, but are not parasitic; instead, they absorb moisture and nutrients directly from the air and rain. Many bromeliads and various orchid species, including the ghost orchid and butterfly orchid, are examples of these epiphytes found in the region.
Carnivorous plants, adapted to nutrient-poor soils, also exist in the Everglades. Bladderworts (Utricularia spp.) are small, aquatic carnivorous plants that float on the water’s surface. They possess tiny, bladder-like traps that can rapidly suck in small aquatic insects. Sundews (Drosera spp.) are another type of carnivorous plant found in wet, boggy areas. These plants have leaves covered in sticky, gland-tipped tentacles that capture and digest insects, providing them with essential nutrients not readily available in the soil.
Non-Native Species Present in the Everglades
The Everglades ecosystem contains several non-native plant species that have become established. Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), also known as the paperbark tree, is one such species. Originally introduced from Australia, it is characterized by its thick, whitish, peeling bark. Melaleuca was introduced to Florida as an ornamental plant and for purposes such as draining wetlands.
Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia), native to South America, is another non-native shrub or small tree found in the Everglades. It features shiny green leaves and produces small clusters of bright red fruits. This plant was introduced as a landscape ornamental in the late 1800s.
Lygodium fern, specifically Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), is also present. This fern is identifiable by its long, twining fronds that can extend for many meters. It is capable of growing over other vegetation and forms dense mats.