Florida's Native Plant Communities

Strand swamps are shallow, forested, elongated depressions or channels that occur in troughs within flat limestone plains. During high water periods, they usually support some surface water flow. These channels often develop deep layers of peat over mineral substrates and have long hydroperiods.

Large strand swamps are typically dominated by bald cypress ( Taxodium distichum ), while smaller strands and shallow edges are more often dominated by pond cypress ( Taxodium ascendens ). Other common canopy and subcanopy species include red maple ( Acer rubrum ), pond apple ( Annona glabra ), swamp laurel oak ( Quercus laurifolia ), cabbage palm ( Sabal palmetto ), strangler fig ( Ficus aurea ), swamp bay ( Persea palustris ), sweetbay magnolia ( Magnolia virginiana ), and coastalplain willow ( Salix caroliniana ). Shrub layers may include wax myrtle ( Morella cerifera ), myrsine ( Myrsine cubana ), and buttonbush ( Cephalanthus occidentalis ).

The herbaceous layer often features string lily (Crinum americanum), giant leather fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium), toothed midsorus fern (Blechnum serrulatum), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), and waterhyssops (Bacopa spp.).

The warm, humid microclimate of southern strand swamps provides ideal habitat for epiphytic orchids and bromeliads. This community supports many rare species, most famously the ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii).

Example Locations

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Audubon Society) – visitors can explore the boardwalk through the core of this strand swamp.

Big Cypress National Preserve

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park