Flaveria linearis (Narrowleaf Yellowtops)

Native to Florida, the Bahamas and Cuba, and from Mexico to Belize, this herbaceous perennial or low subshrub grows in marshes, wet prairies, coastal habitats and disturbed ground. Smooth, branching stems may be reddish and carry opposite, narrow leaves attached directly to the stems. Many small yellow flower heads form broad, somewhat flat-topped clusters. Each head combines several disc florets with a single ray floret. Flowering is often abundant from late summer through autumn, followed by small dry fruits. The flowers provide nectar for many butterflies, including julias, great southern whites and cassius blues, and also attract bees. It tolerates salty soil and salt spray but not flooding with salty or brackish water. Photographed in Florida.