CEU Course: Florida Native Palms

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVE
This course serves as an introduction to Florida native palms. Florida has eleven native palm species but fewer than half of these are used with any regularity in urban and suburban landscapes. Florida native palms provide cultural and ecological benefits and long term resilience in the landscape. The historical tendency to use non-native palms has reduced both native biodiversity and an authentic sense of place.

The course will introduce all eleven Florida native palm species, reviewing aesthetic, selection and maintenance characteristics. Participants will become familiar with the unique attributes and landscape requirements of the palms, and gain a comfort level needed to incorporate the plants successfully into client landscapes.

This course is appropriate for landscape architects, landscape design professionals and professionals involved in landscape installation and maintenance. It addresses the need to increase the use and diversity of native palm species in the installed landscape.

COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction/Definitions
Anatomy of Palms
Florida’s 11 Native Palms
Conclusions

REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stephen Brown’s Plant Files: Florida Native Palms
Xeric Landscaping with Florida Native Plants. Michael Jameson and Richard Moyroud, editor, Florida Association of Native Nurseries, 2011 edition.
Florida’s Best Native Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. Gil Nelson, University Press of Florida, 2003.
Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida, Third Edition. Wunderlin & Hansen, University Press of Florida, 2011.

INSTRUCTORS: Stephen Brown, Roger Hammer

TOTAL HOURS OF INSTRUCTION INFORMATION: 1 (one hour)

AVAILABILITY: Check THE NATIVE PLANT SHOW schedule or contact FANN about providing this course in your area.