Abstract Zornia latifolia Sm. (Fabaceae) is a perennial herb, known for reported psychoactive and medicinal properties, with a native range from Argentina to South Texas and some West Indian islands. There is disagreement on the status of Z. latifolia in Florida concerning whether it is a native species, an established non-native species, or a waif (i.e., a non-native species growing outside of cultivation, but not maintaining a viable population). In Florida, there is only one published record of Z. latifolia growing outside cultivation, in Hillsborough County, but multiple records of this species cultivated for research. I observed extensive populations of Z. latifolia in St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Orange counties, and confirmed observations posted on-line from Hillsborough County. Based the recentness of its first record of growing outside cultivation in Florida (2015), its substantial persistent populations at multiple locations in peninsular Florida, and its occurrence primarily in and adjacent to mowed areas, Z. latifolia appears to be an established non-native species in the state. Whether it becomes a major invasive species in Florida remains to be seen.
James K. Wetterer (Fri,) studied this question.