Plant Diversity of the Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead

This dataset (`TRECflora.csv`) and accompanying metadata file (`TRECflora-metadata.doc`) were first presented in the 2018 Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society and updated April 2019, Dec 2022, and Dec 2025.<br><br><i>Abstract</i>. The Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) is the southernmost campus of the University of Florida and is in Miami-Dade County, FL. TREC is dedicated to research, teaching, and extension in natural resources, agriculture, and ornamental, vegetable, and fruit crops. As part of this mission, a large diversity of cultivated plants was established at TREC, while also preserving native pine rockland and rockdale hammock. The research at TREC includes agroecology, which investigates the production, diversity, and resilience of agricultural systems relative to surrounding areas. Identifying TREC plant species is an important step in establishing this context for agricultural systems. Although many partial lists of vascular plant species have been made for TREC, there had yet been no comprehensive list. We report a comprehensive inventory of plant species completed over the last decade (`TRECflora.csv`). Each plant species was identified with botanical keys and confirmed with online specimens or a previous report from a trusted source. The inventory currently has 895 species including 301 native; 311 established, non-native; 233 non-established, cultivated; and 50 unknowns. We gathered detailed information for each species identified, including plant use, general habitat, weediness, specific location, and identification sources other than the authors. This data supports agroecological research into the effects of plant diversity and surrounding areas on crop physiology and production.