Field Notes — Miami Beach Specimen Collection

Miami Beach Tree & Plant Guide

16 local species catalogued. Each specimen documented with identification features, toxicity classification, ecological role, and field activities. Handle with curiosity.

“If you can name it, you can protect it.”

Classification Key
SAFESafe to handle and explore
CAUTIONSap may irritate skin
TOXICObserve from a safe distance

Safe to Explore

13 specimens

Cleared for hands-on field work. Leaves, bark, seeds, and fallen fruit safe to collect.

Sp. #01
SAFE
Coccoloba uvifera

Sea Grape

SAFE

The iconic Miami Beach tree. Massive, round, leathery leaves the size of dinner plates turn from green to brilliant red and orange...

5 activities·4 collected specimens
Sp. #02
SAFE
Bursera simaruba

Gumbo Limbo

SAFE

Known as the 'tourist tree' because its red, peeling bark looks like a sunburned tourist. One of South Florida's most distinctive ...

3 activities·3 collected specimens
Sp. #03
SAFE
Cocos nucifera

Coconut Palm

SAFE

The tree that says 'you're in Miami.' Tall, gracefully curving trunks topped with feathery fronds. Coconuts develop in large clust...

3 activities·4 collected specimens
Sp. #04
SAFE
Swietenia mahagoni

West Indian Mahogany

SAFE

Miami-Dade County's official tree. A grand, spreading canopy tree that can live for hundreds of years. The wood is legendary — it ...

3 activities·3 collected specimens
Sp. #05
SAFE
Delonix regia

Royal Poinciana

SAFE

The most spectacular flowering tree in South Florida. In May and June, the entire canopy explodes with brilliant scarlet-orange fl...

3 activities·4 collected specimens
Sp. #06
SAFE
Sabal palmetto

Sabal Palm (Cabbage Palm)

SAFE

Florida's official state tree. Tough, no-nonsense, and hurricane-proof. While coconut palms get all the glamour, the sabal palm is...

2 activities·3 collected specimens
Sp. #07
SAFE
Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa

Mangroves (Red, Black & White)

SAFE

Miami Beach's unsung heroes. Three species of mangrove — red, black, and white — form the living barrier between land and sea. Red...

2 activities·3 collected specimens
Sp. #08
SAFE
Conocarpus erectus

Buttonwood

SAFE

The tree that connects the beach to the mangroves. Buttonwood grows right at the transition zone between upland and wetland, often...

2 activities·3 collected specimens
Sp. #09
SAFE
Uniola paniculata

Sea Oats

SAFE

The golden grass of the dunes. Sea oats are the most important dune-building plant on Florida's Atlantic coast. Their deep root sy...

2 activities·2 collected specimens
Sp. #10
SAFE
Helianthus debilis

Beach Sunflower

SAFE

A cheerful native groundcover that blankets the dunes with bright yellow flowers. Beach sunflowers bloom year-round in South Flori...

1 activities·2 collected specimens
Sp. #11
SAFE
Ipomoea pes-caprae

Railroad Vine

SAFE

The vine that runs along the beach like a railroad track. Railroad vine sends long runners straight across the sand, rooting at ev...

1 activities·2 collected specimens
Sp. #12
SAFE
Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus

Silver Buttonwood

SAFE

The silver-leafed variety of the buttonwood is one of Miami Beach's most beautiful landscape trees. While the green buttonwood is ...

1 activities·2 collected specimens
Sp. #13
SAFE
Coccoloba diversifolia

Pigeon Plum

SAFE

The sea grape's lesser-known cousin. Pigeon plum is a native hardwood tree with smooth, pale bark and small purple fruit that bird...

1 activities·2 collected specimens

Know & Avoid

3 specimens

Important to recognize in the field. Knowing which trees to avoid is just as valuable as knowing which ones to explore.

Field Locations

Specimen Location IndexMiami Beach, FL

South Pointe Park

Where the beach meets the jetty. Incredible dune restoration with sea oats, beach sunflowers, and sea grapes. Perfect for dune ecology lessons.

Lummus Park

The classic Ocean Drive park strip. Coconut palms, sea grapes, and scattered gumbo limbos. Great for palm-focused activities.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

The richest tree diversity on the Beach. Multiple native species, labeled specimens, and a controlled garden environment perfect for group activities.

North Shore Open Space Park

One of the most natural stretches of Miami Beach. Restored dunes, native plantings, and less development. Ideal for immersive nature walks.

Indian Creek Waterway (North)

The Bay side. Mangroves, buttonwoods, and unfortunately Brazilian pepper. Great for water-edge ecology and mangrove lessons.

Flamingo Park

Large urban park with mature mahogany, poinciana, and sabal palms. Plenty of shade and open space for group activities.

Miami Beach Regional Library

Home base for the 6-week Nature Explorer Series. Indoor space for booklet work, outdoor trees for hands-on activities right outside.

GPS coordinates available — tap any specimen card for location details.

Want to learn these trees in person?

Join our free 6-week Nature Explorer Series at the Miami Beach Library.

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