In southern Florida, there is high plant biodiversity due to the floristic mixing of warm temperate SE North America and tropical Caribbean. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were found in the roots of native plants in the families Anacardiaceae, Arecaceae (Palmae), Cactaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cycadaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Rubiaceae, Simarubaceae and Smilacaeae that grow in the coastal maritime and inland hammocks of southern Florida In greenhouse experiments, seedlings of the following genera: Amorpha; Coccothrinax; Gymnanthes; Hamelia; Jacquemontia; Licaria; Nectandra; Opuntia; Picramnia; Psychotria; Rhus; Sabal; Serenoa; and Zamia were inoculated with AMF and showed enhancement of growth and phosphorus uptake on local sandy, nutrient poor soils. Most native species depend on AMF under natural conditions. Restoration projects are now planned for endangered species of Amorpha (Fabaceae), Jacquemontia (Convolvulaceae), Optunia (Cactaceae) and Pseudophoenix (Arecaceae), and AMF should be considered when producing plants for restoration.

Key words: arbuscular mycorrhiza, endangered species, fungi, mycorrhiza, restoration