Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Nomenclature
Common Name:
giant whitetop, sandswamp whitetop
Synonym(s):
Dichromena latifolia
Genus species:
Rhynchospora latifolia
Family:
Cyperaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
grass
Size:
1.5-2.5 ft tall by 1.5-2 ft wide
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
white
Fruit Color:
NA
Phenology:
Fall-winter dormant. Blooms in spring.
Noted For:
Showy Flowers
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Wetland garden or informal savanna.
Considerations:
Availability:
Seed
Propagation:
Seed, division.
Light:
Full Sun, Part Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry
Coming Soon!
Stays wet ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Organic
Soil pH:
Acidic
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B
Ecology
Wildlife:
Pollinators, Butterflies
Attracts bees and butterflies
Native Habitats:
Savannas, wet prairies.
Natural Range in Florida:
Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
This is a sedge. Most Rhynchospora
species are wind pollinated. The white bracts of this species attract insects.
