• Florida's Everglades contain numerous plant species.Everglades Landscape image by Phil from Fotolia.com
  
  Located in the Southern section of the state of Florida, the Everglades are made up of wetlands that start in the Orlando area and extend to Lake Okeechobee. The Everglades is a rich habitat that includes numerous plant species, including floating aquatic plants like the bladderwort, spadderdock and maidencane. In fact, more than 100 different varieties of water plants call the Everglades home.
  
  

White Water Lily

• One of the most common water plants in the area, the white water lily can be found floating on the surface of the main water sections of Florida's Everglades. This lily, with its bright white petals, grows to 12 inches in diameter on average. The submerged portion of this plant is used as food by fish, alligators and water snakes. Its striking white flowers open fully every morning and close in the late afternoon.
  
  

Butterfly Pea Plant

• The butterfly pea plant needs rich, moist soil and plenty of sunlight in order to flourish. One of the most colorful plants found in the Everglades, its deep blue flowers contain small yellow marks in the center of the petals. Acclimating well to Florida's harsh summer months, the butterfly pea plant blooms in late summer and early fall.
  
  

Cattail plant

• The cattail plant, which is usually found growing near the narrow waterways embedded in the rich and moist soil typical of the wetlands, can grow up to 9 feet in height. It has a green or brown head atop a sturdy stalk. The cattail plant is an important food source for animals such as raccoons and alligators.
  
  

Butterfly Orchid

• The butterfly orchid, which grows to a height of just over 1 foot, is usually found growing near moisture-rich areas containing cypress trees. It needs partial shade or full sunlight for a healthy lifespan. The attractive bloom, which appears from early spring until late fall, can be yellow-green or brownish-white with a white lip. The petals and lips have a rose-purple spot or stripe. The butterfly orchid is a protected species, so people are prohibited from picking it in the wild.