Name: White alder.

Botanical name:Turnera subulata.

Description: From Panama through Brazil and Bolivia, this relative of the South Florida yellow alder is a summer-flowering perennial, often called a sub-shrub because of its smaller stature. The leaves are serrated and flowers appear singly. The flowers have a dark center with whitish petals, and they open when the sun hits them, closing midafternoon. Butterflies like them. The white alders mix and match well with wildflowers and butterfly-attracting plants, such as wild petunias and pentas for a relaxed, informal look.

Height: 2 to 5 feet.

Light: Sun to partial shade.

Culture: White alder is not especially demanding, requiring a moderate amount of moisture and average soil, according to Tropical Flowering Plants by Miami author Kirsten Llamas. Clip from time to time to keep in check. This is one of those plants that happily will give you interest and fill in the nooks while you attend to fussier areas of your garden.

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