This narrow strip of vegetation along the shoreline flanking the Anna Maria City Pier contains a surprisingly broad palette of the low grasses, groundcovers, and coastal shrubs native to this shore. Most settled here naturally. Others were added in a 2003 restoration where some of the dune had been damaged. And most recently more were added to the variety in conjunction with the installation of a boardwalk on the Pier's Centennial. Conditions here are harsh and erosion has been intermittantly severe, but the natives persist, as they are wont to do.

Here is a photo inventory of plants native to this shore and recently photographed here. Note that not every species will be present at all times. Some can be eradicated by erosion or construction only to return in later years. A few are present only seasonally.

BEACH FRONT NATIVE VEGETAION

NATIVE VEGETATION ON THE DUNE

NATIVE PLANTS BY THE BOARDWALK