Benthamidia florida

Benthamidia florida is a small native tree that is present throughout the southeast in a variety of dry-moist forests. It prefers to grow in full sun or part shade, and soils that are dry to moist and well drained. It has showy flowers with white bracts that bloom in the spring, and red fruits that are produced later in the year. The flowers attract many pollinators, and the berries feed songbirds and small mammals. It can be recognized in the winter from its small stature, rough bumpy bark, and opposite branching pattern. Benthamidia florida works well for restoration projects; and is also frequently desired as a specimen tree in a yard, along a street, or in a rain garden.