Photo from iNaturalist user Tyler Radtke

Photo from iNaturalist user Bethany Teigen

Photo from iNaturalist user Robert Ross

Photo from iNaturalist user Robert Ross

Photo from iNaturalist user Jack Andrew

Phonetic Spelling SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis Plant Type: Slow growing, medium sized tree. Plant Height: 15’-30’ Plant Spread: 15’-30’ Sunlight Preference: Full sun to full shade (best flowers when in full sun) Soil Preference: Moist well-drained soils that are rich (dark in color), however it adapts to many different soil types especially if watered and upkept correctly. Does not tolerate flooding or drought well. Uses in Landscaping: Charismatic tree that can be grown on right of ways/aprons, accent plant in a shaded garden or planted on edge of tree in partial shade as transitionary area from shade garden to sun garden. How and When to Plant: Plant in winter when the plant has gone dormant and leaves have fallen off. Water for full year until established. Once leaf out starts water as needed keeping an eye out for signs of drought. The tree should be established and need less attention after the second leaf out in the following spring. Try to get Florida sourced plants and seeds as plants and seeds from more northern areas are not well adapted to the climate of Florida. Upkeep: Prune in winter if needed for any reason. Availability: Typically sold as liners, 1 gallon, and 2 gallon pots at nurseries. Not lots of Florida ecotypes are available however. Charismatic/ID Features: Flower/Fruits: Flowers appear in spring before leaves and are clustered and pink in color. Fruits develop in summer and fall and resemble a large bean pod. Fruits will remain on tree throughout winter usually. Leaves: Alternate in arrangement and have distinct heart shaped leaves. Where the leaf connects to the stem look for the swollen petiole as this is another great ID characteristic. Leaves are deciduous so they fall off in the winter. Bark: Bark starts out smooth and silvery grey but as the tree matures will turn dark brown with many large cracks and fissures.