What’s Blooming in May

New series! Check back each month to learn about the native plants that are blooming in Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)

Also known as Firewheel, is an annual wildflower that can be seen blooming May through August in the panhandle. Native Americans used this flower for its medicinal properties. The root of this wildflower has been used to make tea for stomach and intestinal inflammation and ground into a powder for skin disorders.

Mimosa Tree (Albizia julbrissin)

Also known as Persian silk tree, is an invasive species that is native to China. This tree can be seen blooming from late April to early July. This tree is easily identified by its fern-like foliage and bright pink puffy flowers. The beans can be toxic to dogs and can produce toxic smoke when burned.

Virginia Saltmarsh Mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos)

This mallow is a shrub-like wildflower seen blooming in spring through fall in marshes, swamps, and wet thickets. This flower can grow up to 6 ft tall and is almost entirely edible. The flowers can be steeped in tea or eaten raw.

Cucumberleaf Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)

Also known as beach sunflower, is a low-growing herbaceous perennial that can be seen blooming in the panhandle from March through November. This sunflower helps provide dune stabilization and is well adapted to nutrient poor soils.