South Floridan foliage

[Epiphile]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of building a vivarium with a Floridan biotype feel to it, and was wondering if anyone could recommend a climbing foliage plant native to southern Florida. I'm shooting for a leaf length of 6-8", but any ideas at all would be great, as I'm having a bit of a hard time finding something suitable.

Thanks in advance,
Aaron

[JoeGecko]

What about some of the wild grape vines, Muscadine or Calusa (not sure of the proper name off the top of my head) are pretty common down here in Tampa. But we consider this to be Central Florida, we see frost in the winter for 2 week periods on occasion. What we consider South Florida can have some very different flora.

We also have some variation in habitats too. Swamp, Marsh, Flatwoods, Scrub, even Grassland. Heck, if you get down to it, In my back yard I have Oak w/ cedar flatwoods, but 3 miles down the road you can find pine flatwoods. Did you have a particular type in mind?

I ask because the flora will vary from one type to the next if your shooting for a very authentic representation rather than a general one.

[decev]

Kudzu

Just kidding...

[Epiphile]

Originally Posted by JoeGecko

What about some of the wild grape vines, Muscadine or Calusa (not sure of the proper name off the top of my head) are pretty common down here in Tampa. But we consider this to be Central Florida, we see frost in the winter for 2 week periods on occasion. What we consider South Florida can have some very different flora.

We also have some variation in habitats too. Swamp, Marsh, Flatwoods, Scrub, even Grassland. Heck, if you get down to it, In my back yard I have Oak w/ cedar flatwoods, but 3 miles down the road you can find pine flatwoods. Did you have a particular type in mind?

I ask because the flora will vary from one type to the next if your shooting for a very authentic representation rather than a general one.

I suppose I'm shooting for subtropical hardwood forest... I'm still in the process of trying to figure all this out, but my species list as yet contains these:

Encyclia cochleata
Peperomia obtusifolia
Vanilla planifolia

I'm presuming that these can be found in similar habitat, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Philsuma]

Here's the man to ask...

Alasdair - Rareplantbroker, here on Dendroboard. Shoot him a PM

[RarePlantBroker]

Thanks Phil,

You may want to try Cypress Vine Ipomea quamoclit, nice red flower, while it dies off in winter outside here, it has stayed for two years in my greenhouse....
For a groundcover, you may try Sensitive Plant Mimosa pudica. The plant needs bright light, but is very tolerant of a variety of soil conditions--especially wet soils.
You may also want to try the Florida Butterfly orchid Encyclia tampensis. The plant will need a simulated "dry season" in order to induce flowering.
There are a number of native Tillandsia sp., and Catopsis berteroniana is another nice native bromeliad (grows in the tips of tree branches--usually over wet areas.
The old standard Boston Sword Fern Nephrolepis bifurcata is also native to S Florida.

Encyclia cochleata is a definite possibility for that environment type.
Peperomia obtusifolia is usually more of a costal grower in S Florida.
Vanilla planifolia is introduced, but naturalized in Florida. Along those lines, there's also Oceoclades maculata--which is native to Madagascar.

Let me know if you need any other info.

[JoshH]

Also common in extreme south Florida/Keys are a number of cactus species. Cereus pentagonus is a common tropical hardwood forest plant, and their are a few epiphytic cacti there as well though they may be introduced.

Another neat group are the strap leaved ferns, Campyloneurum sp. They like it damp and many may be threatened so tread carefully.

[RecycledAgain]

Aaron,
See why I referrer to plant folks as "You People" Lol
this is all Greek or probably Latin to me ...

Dan

[RarePlantBroker]

Originally Posted by JoshH

Another neat group are the strap leaved ferns, Campyloneurum sp. They like it damp and many may be threatened so tread carefully.

They are currently listed by the state of Florida as Endangered--which means don't collect them, and if you purchase one in FL--ask questions first! It is possible to purchase endangered listed native plants, but the person selling them needs to have proof they are propogating them.

[JoshH]

Originally Posted by RarePlantBroker

They are currently listed by the state of Florida as Endangered--which means don't collect them, and if you purchase one in FL--ask questions first! It is possible to purchase endangered listed native plants, but the person selling them needs to have proof they are propogating them.

Great info! They extend into the tropics so you could substitute another related species too, maybe one from Central America or the islands.