4H PSJ2323 Circular 4HEHL
Florida 4-H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual: Ornamentals1 R. J. Black2 Ornamental plants are used in landscapes to enhance the beauty of our homes and public buildings. They also provide shade, filter pollutants, exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide, block cold winter winds and channel cool summer breezes, frame or hide views, reduce noise, prevent erosion, define outdoor spaces, increase the value and sales appeal of homes, and provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. The purpose of this section of the study manual is to promote a better understanding of ornamental plants. It is primarily designed to aid in the identification of the more common landscape trees, shrubs and ground covers grown in Florida. Plants are arranged alphabetically by common names. Common names are used for the convenience of persons not accustomed to using scientific names. Scientific names are in parentheses immediately following common names. Scientific names are the same throughout the world with plant scientists and seldom change. The scientific names is usually composed of two words. The first word is always capitalized and is called the genus. The second word is usually not capitalized and is called the species. There may be many species of plants in one genus which differ only slightly in appearance. When reference is made to several species in one genus, the abbreviation "spp." is often written after the genus name.
naturally, the new category is called a variety and we add it to the scientific name, such as Juniperus chinensis var. chinensis. When new varieties appear while plants are in cultivation, they are called "cultivars" (cultivated varieties). The cultivar name is also a part of the scientific name and may be listed such as Ilex cornuta cv. Burfordii or Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’. Single quote marks will be used in this publication to designate cultivars. The plants in this section of the study manual are described using many botanical terms. These terms are used to describe types of leaves, leaf position and arrangement, leaf shapes, leaf margins, flower parts and flower arrangement. It may be helpful, when studying these plant descriptions, to refer to the section "Glossary of Terms" located in the rules and glossary section of the Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual. Space is provided for you to write notes that help you identify the plant. You may also want to cut out photographs from old nursery magazines and catalogs to glue or tape in this manual to further help you in identification.
When a group of plants within a species differ in one or more characteristics from their parent plants, they are classified into another category. When this occurs
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This document is Circular 4HEHL 23, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: March 1992.
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Robert J. Black, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences / University of Florida / Christine Taylor Stephens, Dean
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica)
American Holly (Ilex opaca)
An evergreen, erect, vine-like shrub, which sprouts from the base. Simple leaves are opposite or in whorls of 3 to 4, elliptic-oblong in shape, and may be 4-6 inches long. They exude a white milky sap. The flower is funnelform with 5 united rounded petals which can be up to 5 inches across. Bright yellow flowers are seen during warm seasons. See Figure 1.
A spreading, short-branched evergreen tree. Simple, elliptic leaves are spirally arranged with entire or spined margins. They have a leathery, pliable texture. Flowers are dioecious, white, not showy. The very showy fruits are shiny red berries borne in large axillary clusters. See Figure 2.
Figure 2. American Holly (Ilex opaca)
Figure 1. Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Anise (Illicium parviflorum)
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Evergreen shrub or small tree which can grow to a height of 25 feet. Leaves are 4 inches long, simple, spirally-arranged, obovate to elliptic, entire margins. Crushed leaves have a licorice aroma. Flowers are inconspicuous and fruit is a star shaped many-seeded pod about 3/4 inch in diameter. See Figure 3.
An evergreen, densely foliated, shrub with many branches in a horizontal pattern. Leaves are simple, entire, and elliptic in shape, and are arranged alternately on the stem; they are deep green and very pubescent. During cool weather, they may show a bronze tinge. The new growth on the stem is pubescent. Flowers are funnelform, borne on umbel like clusters of many colors and appear in the spring. See Figure 4.
Figure 3. Anise (Illicium parviflorum)
Figure 4. Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Black Olive (Bucida buceras)
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
An evergreen or partly deciduous tree with an open canopy. Simple, entire leaves are alternate or spirally arranged in whorls. They are obovate in shape and up to 3 inches long. Leaves are usually crowded on the swollen ends of branches. They are light green and leathery. During cool weather some plants show red leaf color. The stem is often spiny. The flowers are inconspicuous, borne on spikes to 4 inches long. Flowering occurs in spring and summer. Fruit is a black drupe. See Figure 5.
A sprawling, evergreen woody vine, which can be trained as a shrub. Leaves are alternate, and elliptic to ovate in shape. Each leaf axil has a sharp, slender thorn up to 2 inches long which is replaced by flowers in flowering branches. Flowers are white and inconspicuous. The showy portion consists of 3 colorful bracts. These range from purple to white with intermediate shades of red, pink and orange. See Figure 6.
Figure 6. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
Figure 5. Black Olive (Bucida buceras)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’)
Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
An evergreen shrub, with shiny glossy leaves, incurved margins and one or more sharp spines along the leaf tip. Flowers are inconspicuous. The fruits are globe-shaped, red, showy berries. See Figure 7.
A dense, erect, medium sized, single trunked palm with a tight globular canopy. The leaves are green or gray green, with unarmed petioles; they are fan-shaped, divided 1/3 of the way to the base, with long pointed, tapering segments which are split at the apex. Threads may be present. The trunks are often covered with old leaf bases. The fruit is a globose, brown-black shiny drupe. See Figure 8.
Figure 7. Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’)
Figure 8. Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
Camellia (Camellia spp.) A densely foliated evergreen shrub or small tree. Simple leaves have alternate to spiral arrangement with shallowly serrate margins. Terminal flowers are solitary or clustered, and may be single, semi-double or double, possessing many petals and stamens. Flower color encompasses shades of red, pink, and white. See Figure 9.
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Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) This palm has a large, single trunk, and an upright growing habit with a stiff globular canopy. The evergreen, feather like foliage is pinnate, with spines at the diamond shaped base of the petioles. Fruits are ovoid in shape, about 1 inch in length and are bright yellow-orange in color. See Figure 10.
Figure 9. Camellia (Camellia spp.)
Figure 10. Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Carissa [Natal Plum] (Carissa grandiflora)
Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
A dense, broad evergreen shrub. Simple, opposite leaves are leathery in texture and dark green. Stem has forked spines to 2 inches long. Leaves exude a milky sap. Flowers are solitary, terminal and star-shaped to 2 inches across. Flowers occur in spring and summer. The fruits of the natal plum are edible berries which are plum-shaped, red, and up to 2 inches long. See Figure 11.
A freely branching, symmetrical deciduous tree with a slightly weeping, spreading, open canopy. The simple leaves have serrate margins and are alternately arranged, leathery, shiny dark green and elliptic-ovate in shape. The exfoliating bark is very showy and the young branches are thinly pubescent. See Figure 12.
Figure 12. Chinese Elm (Ulmus parviflora)
Figure 11. Carissa, Natal Plum (Carissa grandiflora)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Coontie (Zamia floridana)
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Low growing, evergreen, gymnosperm, usually lacking trunk and with dense foliage in mound-like clumps. Palm-like leaves are pinnately compound, usually linear lanceolate to 6 inches long, dark green, leathery with slightly revolute margins, entire to finely toothed above the middle. See Figure 13.
This freely branching, erect, deciduous shrub or small tree has simple, entire leaves, which are subopposite in arrangement, and oblong-elliptic to rounded in shape. The new growth is pubescent underneath and has square pinkish stems. The flowers are borne in terminal and axillary panicles. They have fringed petals to 1 1/4 inches long. Flower colors are white, pink, red or purple. The fruits are brown, globular capsules. See Figure 14.
Figure 13. Coontie (Zamia floridana)
Figure 14. Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Dogwood (Cornus florida)
An evergreen, vigorous shrub. The branching pattern is free and irregular. Simple leaves are entire to deeply lobed, commonly undulate, spirally arranged around the stem and often clustered at end of branches. Leaf color varies widely in combinations of green, red, and yellow. They have a leathery, glabrous texture, and exude a sap which stains and is poisonous. See Figure 15.
A small deciduous tree with simple leaves which are entire, oppositely arranged, and up to 6 inches long. The surface is crinkled, light green, and the veins are markedly curved. The flowers are small dense heads borne in panicles, which are subtended by four showy petal-like bracts. They are white, obovate and notched. The fruits are red, showy drupes. See Figure 16.
Figure 16. Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Figure 15. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana)
Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)
A low branching, densely foliated evergreen shrub or small tree with simple, entire leaves, arranged oppositely on the stems. They are elliptic to oblong in shape, green and pubescent. Solitary flowers have 4 edible petals, with protruding red stamens. The fruits are green berries often tinged with red. See Figure 17.
This evergreen to partly deciduous, sometimes erect shrub has many spreading branches. The simple leaves are arranged oppositely or whorled on the stem. They are ovate-shaped, small to 1/2 inch long, glossy, with serrated margins. During cool weather they have a reddish tinge. The bark exfoliates on the brown stem. White, pink-tinged flowers are funnelform. Flowering is in the spring and summer. See Figure 18.
Figure 17. Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana)
Figure 18. Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica)
This large, upright evergreen shrub has many branches and is densely foliated. The glossy green leaves have long reddish petioles, are simple and spirally arranged. They are ovate in shape and the margins are finely serrate. The flowers come in many colors. They are borne solitary on long hanging peduncles, with bell shaped calyx. They have five petals and a long, conspicuous column of stamens. See Figure 19.
A dense, rounded, medium textured, evergreen shrub. This shrub is a slow grower and it will take many years for it to reach a mature height of 5 feet. Leaves are simple, alternate, clustered at twig tips, oblong and leathery. Flowers are white or pinkish, 5/8 inch across, and are borne on loose terminal panicles in the spring. Fruit are purplish-black pome about 3/8 inch long. See Figure 20.
Figure 20. Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) Figure 19. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Ixora (Ixora coccinea)
Japanese Privet (Ligustrum japonicum)
This upright, erect, much branched evergreen shrub is densely foliated with simple, entire leaves which are opposite or whorled, oblong to 4 inches long. They are leathery and pliable with short petioles. The stem on the new growth is reddish and the bark is dark brown. Flowers are borne on dense axillary corymbs, with a corolla tube nearly 2 inches long. They have 4-5 petals, colored red, pink, and yellow. Ixora flowers in the summer. See Figure 21.
An upright, low branching, evergreen shrub or small tree. Simple, entire leaves are opposite and ovate to elliptic in shape, they are dark green, leathery and glossy. Branches have raised lenticels. Fragrant flowers are borne on terminal panicles and are white, with four united petals. The fruit is a blue-black, drupe-like berry. See Figure 22.
Figure 22. Japanese Privet (Ligustrum japonicum)
Figure 21. Ixora (Ixora coccinea)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Liriope (Liriope muscari)
Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
A clumping, perennial evergreen herb which forms dense, grass-like mats. Leaves are linear, dark green with parallel veins, 8-10 inches long and 3/4 inch wide, and forming tufts. Purple flowers are small and dense, borne in short racemes which are held on stalks longer than the leaves. Fruits are black, berry-like, small fleshy capsules. See Figure 23.
This large, symmetrical oak is an evergreen tree with a spread greater than its height. Branches are drooping and low. Simple, entire leaves are spirally arranged, and are elliptic to ovate-shaped with revolute margins. The underside is whitish-grey. Fruits are acorns to 1 inches long, sometimes in pairs, with a shallow cup enclosing the bottom 1/4. See Figure 24.
Figure 23. Liriope (Liriope muscari)
Figure 24. Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
An evergreen, coarse textured tree with elliptic, alternate leaves which are dark green, leathery and shiny. The apical margins are slightly serrate and some leaves often turn bright red in the fall. Young twigs are red. Flowers are solitary, borne on axillary stalks on the new growth, with 5 large petals and golden stamens. Fruits are woody, ovoid capsules which ripen and release winged seeds. See Figure 25.
A clumping, perennial, evergreen herb that forms dense, fine-textured grasslike mats. Leaves are linear, to 15 inches long and 1/8 inch wide. They occur in tufts, are dark green and curve toward the ground. The few flowers are hidden in the leaves on short, loose racemes. They are lilac or white. See Figure 26.
Figure 25. Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)
Figure 26. Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
Nandina (Nandina domestica) This evergreen to semi-deciduous shrub forms clumps and is leafless at the base. The leaves are odd bi- and tripinnately compound, and spirally arranged. Leaflets are entire, elliptic to 4 inches long, with short petioles. They show red fall color. Small, white flowers are 6 petaled, and borne in panicles. Fruits are ovate berries, red, in pendulous, showy clusters. See Figure 27.
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Pfitzer Juniper (Juniperus chinensis var. chinensis ‘Pfitzerana’) An evergreen coniferous shrub with a spreading horizontal growth habit. The tips of the branches point outwards. Leaves are small, scale-like and are tightly compressed in whorls; they are colored grey-green. See Figure 28.
Figure 27. Nandina (Nandina domestica)
Figure 28. Pfitzer Juniper (Juniperus chinensis var. chinensis ‘Pfitzerana’)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Pindo Palm (Butia capitata)
Pine (Pinus spp.)
This palm is single trunked, erect with stiff and strongly recurving canopy. The leaves are pinnate, 8-10′ long, and strongly recurved toward the trunk. The leaflets are stiff, blue-green, with thorns on petioles which point towards the leaf tip. The fruits are drupes, oblong to ovoid, in dense yellow to red clusters. See Figure 29.
Tall, coniferous trees which are evergreen and monoecious. Leaves produced are of two kinds: scalelike, soon falling off the tree, and needle-shaped, long and borne in clusters of 2-5. The fruit is the typical woody pine cone. See Figure 30.
Figure 30. Pine (Pinus spp.)
Figure 29. Pindo Palm (Butia capitata)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Photinia (Photinia glabra)
Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira)
An evergreen shrub or small tree, upright and freely branching. Simple alternate leaves are 2-3 inches long and elliptic ovate in shape. They are glossy green, leathery and pliable. The new growth is reddish. Flowers are white, 5-pleated, borne on short terminal panicles. Fruits are berry-like pomes, globose, red turning to black. See Figure 31.
A freely branching, small evergreen shrub or small tree. The obovate leaves are spirally arranged, simple and entire. They are glossy green with revolute margins and leathery texture, clustering at end of branches. The many flowered umbels are fragrant with lemon yellow flowers with 5 petals to 1/2 inch long. The fruit is a capsule opening to reveal the seeds which are covered with a red fleshy skin. See Figure 32.
Figure 32. Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira)
Figure 31. Photinia (Photinia glabra)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus)
Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea)
An upright, densely-foliaged evergreen shrub or tree with a narrow columnar canopy. Simple leaves are linear and spirally arranged, with entire margins. They are leathery in texture, glossy dark green above with a prominent midrib. Seeds are covered with a green fleshy layer and are borne on a purple, fleshy, receptacle. See Figure 33.
An evergreen, thorny shrub or small tree, sprawling with pendulous branches. Simple leaves are closely arranged and alternate, with serrulate margins and oblong-ovate in shape. They are dark green and have a glabrous, leathery texture. The flowers are white, showy, and borne in corymbs to 1 1/2 inches wide. Fruits are pomes, green, ripening to orange in fall and winter. See Figure 34.
Figure 33. Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus)
Figure 34. Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia)
A low branching, deciduous tree with an open growth habit and oval canopy. Leaves are opposite, palmately shaped with 3-5 lobes. They are unequally crenate to serrate, and 3-6 inches across. Petioles are pink-red and leaves turn red in fall. Fruits are winged, ripening soon after the red flowers fade in spring. See Figure 35.
A large, semi-deciduous tree with compound leaves which are medium green in color and fine textured. The showy blossoms in tones of red have 5 petals, one of which is striped. Fruits are dark brown pods to 2 feet long and 2 inches wide, resembling razor straps. See Figure 36.
Figure 36. Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia)
Figure 35. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Extremely slow growing palm-like plant which will eventually reach a mature height of 10 feet. Leaves are glossy green, pinnately compound and 3-4 feet long in rosettes. This plant is dioecious with a 24-inch, cylindrical cone borne in the center of the male plant. The female plant doesn’t produce a cone, but produces a globose mass consisting of modified scale-like leaves covered with brown felt. Ovate orange-red seeds to 2 inches in diameter are produced between these scale-like leaves. See Figure 37.
An evergreen tree with irregularly-branched trunk. It has an upright growing habit, often drooping at tip. The canopy is rounded and loosely spreading. The simple leaves are spirally arranged, entire and orbicularshaped. The major veins are reddish on the leathery, glossy green leaves. The petiole is pinkish, short and clasping. The globular fruit is a drupe-like achene, which can be up to 3/4 inch in diameter and is borne in dense grape-like clusters. See Figure 38.
Figure 38. Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Figure 37. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Silk Oak (Grevillea robusta)
Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii)
Large evergreen tree with fern-like dissected leaves which are dark green above, grey green below. Young branches are pubescent. Showy orange flowers are borne on short racemes on old growth. See Figure 39.
A tall, vigorous, central leader tree with widespreading branches. Leaves are simple, alternate, obovate to 6 inches long with 7 to 9 sharp pointed lobes. The leaves turn bright red in the fall. The nut or acorn is 1 1/4 inch long, ovoid, with a shallow cup enclosing 1/4 of the acorn. See Figure 40.
Figure 40. Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii)
Figure 39. Silk Oak (Grevillea robusta)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Upright, large trunked, evergreen tree with large, stiff leaves that are alternate, shiny, dark green above an light green or brown below. The spring flowers are large, white an fragrant. Fruits are cone-like, 4-inch aggregates of many dark red seeds. See Figure 41.
A deciduous tree with upright growing habit. When young the canopy is pyramidal in shape, but it becomes rounded with age. Simple leaves are spirally arranged, they are palmately shaped with 5 or 7 lobes and may be up to 7 inches wide. The margins are finely serrate and leaves show some fall color and when crushed, are aromatic. Fruits are woody and rounded to 1/2 inch in diameter, with many spines. See Figure 42.
Figure 41. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Figure 42. Sweet Gum (Liquidamber styraciflua)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
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Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
A large, many branched, deciduous tree, pyramidal when young but becoming globular with age. Simple, alternate leaves are shallowly lobed and wider than long. Margins are coarsely toothed and petioles are long with enlarged bases. Flowers are inconspicuous. Fruits are globular, usually solitary, lacking spines, and many seeded. See Figure 43.
A large, rounded evergreen shrub, which is densely foliated and forms clumps. Leaves are lanceolate, arranged alternately on the stem and aromatic. They are thin, often coarsely serrated along the apical margins and have tiny glands (dots) on both sides. The trunk is crooked and covered with grayish-white bark. Flowers are inconspicuous. Fruits are grayish blue, borne in dense clusters. They are coated with wax which can be used to make candles. See Figure 44.
Figure 43. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Figure 44. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Florida 4–H Horticulture Identification and Judging Study Manual — Ornamentals
Wisteria (Wisteria chinensis) This deciduous woody vine has alternate, oddpinnately compound leaves. The leaflets have entire margins and are pubescent when young. Pea-like flowers are bluish-white, borne in long, pendant, terminal racemes. The fruits are flattened pods, to 6 inches long, and velvety textured. The large seeds are quite poisonous. See Figure 45.
Figure 45. Wisteria (Wisteria chinensis)
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