Category: Gardening information

From the Mountains to Sea: Identifying & Protecting Endemic Plants of North Carolina

On By durhammastergardenersIn carnivorous plant, coastal goldenrod, conservation, Durham NC, ecological sustanability, ecology, endemic plants, fall blooming plants, gardening, Gardening information, gardening NC, goldenrod, Heller's blazing star, native azaela, native plant list, native plant list for Piedmont NC, native plants, Native plants of NC, Natives, NC, NC biodiversity, NC conservation, NC Native Plants, NC Venus fly trap, near-endemic plants, North Carolina endemic plants, Perennial, Pink-shell azaela, protect endemic plants, protect NC endemic plants, protecting native plants, sustainability, sustainable gardening, sustanability, Uncategorized, Venus flytap

By Ariyah Chambers April, North Carolina Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

North Carolina’s newest specialty license plate celebrates one of the state’s most iconic plants, the Venus flytrap, native only to a 80-mile radius around the Wilmington area. Beautiful vistas from Grandfather Mountain and Emerald Isle illustrate the state’s diverse ecosystems. (Image credit: Melinda Heigel)

One thing I love most about North Carolina is its natural wonders. Stretching from Appalachia to the Atlantic, our state is teeming with biodiversity. More incredible is that some of our natural flora–like the world-famous Venus flytrap–are found nowhere else on earth. Called “endemic,” these plant species are native to a specific region and are found naturally only in that region.

Remarkable Plants that Call NC Home

North Carolina’s endemic plants are integral to our state’s ecological identity. These rare species evolved over many millennia by adapting to our region’s climates, soils, and elevations—creating unique ecosystems that are both fragile and fascinating.

Endemic plants are the building blocks of their habitats. They provide food and shelter to a range of wildlife, including essential pollinators. They also contribute to soil health and water retention, helping maintain ecological balance. The importance of biodiversity can’t be overstated. 

So… which species are endemic to the Tarheel State, you ask? Let’s dig in! 

In 2022, the NC Natural Heritage Program published this list of all plant taxa1 (including subspecies) that naturally exist within our state’s borders: 31 taxon in all. Take a look.

Plants, of course, don’t recognize state borders like humans do. “Near-endemic” refers to species that thrive mainly in North Carolina while brushing another Southern state or two. In 2014, ncpedia.org assembled a list of North Carolina’s 42 endemic and near-endemic plants that’s worth a read. 

A Few Fine Examples of NC Endemics

(Left) You can spot Heller’s blazing star (Liatris helleri) on ledges of precipitous cliffs in northwestern North Carolina, especially Grandfather Mountain’s southeastern slopes. (Right) The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one of the most well-known carnivorous plants. The NC Heritage Program names the primary threats to Venus flytraps as loss of habitat, fire suppression and lack of appropriate habitat management, and poaching. (Image credit: Keith Bradley/NC Botanical Garden; Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0)

I hope these endemic and near-endemic species give you an idea of how enamoring North Carolina’s rare, native flora can be:

Heller’s Blazing Star (Liatris helleri s.s.) – one of about 40 species in the genus Liatris
  • Description: A perennial wildflower that blooms striking purple flowers in late summer to early fall.
  • Range: Found primarily in the southern Appalachians. Only eleven known populations, all occurring in North Carolina’s Burke, Caldwell, Mitchell, Avery, Watauga and Ashe counties. 
  • Habitat: Shallow acidic soils on high elevation rock outcrops and ledges.
  • Fun Fact: Heller’s blazing star is considered fire-adapted, meaning that it does not benefit from the suppression of natural fire. (This makes sense for a native plant that acclimates to its natural environment.)
  • Conservation: Listed as NC Status T (Threatened). The NC Botanical Garden conserves this rare species. Learn more on The Center for Plant Conservation site and see the US Fish & Wildlife’s recovery plan.
  • Info source (search for species name) or this source for what’s written above
    • T means Threatened. A taxon that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range (Public Law 93-205 87 Stat. 884) source
Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) – near-endemic to North Carolina
  • Description: World-famous carnivorous plant that supplements its diet with insects and arachnids. Its “trap” consists of two hinged lobes at the tip of each leaf. Hair-like structures (trichomes) trigger the lobes to close when they sense prey.
  • Range: Endemic to an area in about an 80-mile arc around Wilmington, NC, which stretches into two counties in South Carolina.
  • Habitat: Acidic, sandy soil that seems very dry but the water table is not far below the plant.
  • Fun Fact: While illegal to collect from the wild, Venus flytraps can be ethically purchased from The NC Botanical Garden and other conservation organizations.
  • Conservation: Listed as NC Status T (Threatened). Read about the NC Heritage Program’s conservation efforts, as well as the “story map” created with NASA, a “remote sensing” project that identifies sustainable habitats for the Venus flytrap.
  • Info source: NC Plant Toolbox or this source (search for species name) 

(Left) Pink-shell azalea (Rhododendron vaseyi) was discovered in 1878 in western North Carolina by G. R. Vasey, the plant’s namesake. (Right) Coastal goldenrod (Solidago villosicarpa) was first collected in 1949, misidentified for several decades, and described as a new species in 2000. (Image credit: Tim Waters CC BY-NC-ND 2.0; CHarrier CC BY)

Pink-shell Azalea (Rhododendron vaseyi) – member of the heath family
  • Description: Deciduous shrub that shows pink flowers in spring. Typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall and has narrow, lance-shaped leaves.
  • Range: Endemic to the Appalachian highlands of North Carolina with a main center of distribution west of Asheville.
  • Habitat: Prefers moist, acidic soils in forested areas, often near streams and in the understory of hardwood forests.
  • Fun Fact: Pink-shell azalea was found growing in the wild in Massachusetts. While it’s not native to that state, it naturalized on the site of an abandoned nursery.
  • Conservation: Listed as NC Status SR-L (Significantly Rare–Limited), which means that “their fate depends largely on conservation here” in North Carolina.
  • Info Source: Center for Plant Conservation and Natural Heritage Program (use search)
Coastal Goldenrod (Solidago villosicarpa) – always found within 1,000 feet of an estuary
  • Description: This perennial plant has hairy stems and narrow leaves, producing bright yellow flower heads in late summer to fall.
  • Range: Only four known populations in Onslow and Pender counties of North Carolina; between 100 and 1400 individual plants comprise each population.
  • Habitat: Grows in wet, sandy soils, often in salt marshes, coastal grasslands, and disturbed areas.
  • Fun Fact: coastal goldenrod is currently found on sites that were previously logged. Three of the four known populations are located on the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in Onslow County, NC.
  • Conservation: Listed as NC Status S1 (Critically Imperiled), at very high risk of extirpation in North Carolina. Read more about conservation efforts on the Center for Plant Conservation site.
  • Info source: Natural Heritage Program (use search function), Center for Plant Conservation, NC Botanical Garden

Conservation of NC’s Endemic Plants

Endemic taxa are resilient, having adapted to their specialized environments over time. But because they’re rare–some species presenting only a few individuals or small populations–they can easily be wiped out. Threats to our native plants include:

  • Habitat loss to recreational and residential development
  • Trampling by hikers, climbers, and sightseers
  • Natural succession to invasive species
  • Collection and illegal poaching
  • Acid precipitation and other forms of atmospheric pollution that have been found to be concentrated at higher elevations in the southern Appalachians
  • Climate change

Here in North Carolina, we don’t yet know the damage incurred to our endemic plants (or animals) in October 2024 by Hurricane Helene. Some populations might have been devastated by storm damage or flood water. Other populations might spring back stronger; coastal goldenrod, for example, is documented to thrive where trees have been knocked down by hurricanes.

Conservation efforts are critical to preserving these unique plants. By protecting their habitats and raising awareness, we can help ensure that North Carolina’s endemic flora continues to flourish. Through conservation initiatives, botanical gardens, and community engagement, we can foster a deeper appreciation for these remarkable plants and the ecosystems they inhabit.

These organizations are just some that are active in conservation and education efforts:

North Carolina Plant Conservation Program (NCPCP), part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, works with partners like the NC Natural Heritage Program to protect rare and endangered plant species, including many endemic plants.

North Carolina Botanical Garden, located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, emphasizes the conservation of native and endemic plants through education, research, and horticultural practices. NCBG partners with The Center for Plant Conservation, whose plant database incudes many of our state’s rare endemic taxon.

US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) collaborates with state and local agencies to protect endangered species, including endemic plants in North Carolina.

Conservation alliances like the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy work on broader conservation that includes endemic plants.

Citizen science initiative programs like the North Carolina Native Plant Society engage the public in monitoring and documenting plant species can help conservation practices.

Research and educational programs at universities and research institutions like Duke, the University of North Carolina, and NC State University, conduct studies focused on endemic plants and how to increase the sustainability of their ecosystems.

How You Can Help Protect NC’s Endemic Plants

Your individual efforts can make a difference. Here’s a list of actionable to-dos for local gardeners and plant lovers:

  1. Educate Yourself
    • Research our region’s endemic flora to understand their characteristics, habitats, and conservation status.
    • Attend workshops or seminars focused on native and endemic plants.
    • Use the NC Botanical Garden’s “Flora App” to identify species in the wild.2
  2. Incorporate Native Plants in Your Garden
    • When and where possible, choose an endemic plant like Heller’s blazing star for your garden to support local biodiversity.
    • Create a design that mimics natural ecosystems, combining various native species for a balanced environment.
    • Consider these Recommended Native Plant Species from the NC Native Plant Society. Remember to choose the right plant for the right place in your landscape.
  3. Create a Pollinator-Friendly Space
    • Plant a variety of native flowering plants to attract and support pollinators, essential for the reproduction of many endemic species.
    • Provide nesting sites and water sources for pollinators in your garden.
  4. Participate in Local Conservation Efforts
    • Join local organizations (like the ones named above) or volunteer for projects aimed at restoring native habitats.
    • Participate in plant rescues or reforestation efforts organized by conservation groups.
  5. Promote Native Plant Awareness
    • Share information about endemic plants with friends, family, and neighbors through social media or community events.
    • Organize or participate in local gardening clubs (like the Durham Garden Forum) that focus on native and endemic plants.
  6. Create Educational Signage
    • Label endemic species in your garden with informational signs to educate visitors about their importance and ecological roles.
    • Provide facts about their rarity, uses, and conservation needs.
  7. Practice Sustainable Gardening
    • Avoid the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers that can harm native plants and wildlife.
    • Use organic gardening practices to maintain soil health and biodiversity.
  8. Monitor and Document Plant Growth
    • Keep records of the endemic plants you grow, noting their growth patterns, challenges, and successes.
    • Share your observations with local conservation groups to contribute to broader studies on plant health. 
    • Contribute photos and notes from your wilderness hikes to iNaturalist.
  9. Host Workshops or Community Events
    • Organize events to teach about the importance of endemic plants, including gardening tips and plant identification workshops.
    • Collaborate with local schools to create educational programs focusing on native flora.
  10. Support Local Nurseries and Plant Sales
    • Buy endemic plants from local nurseries that prioritize sustainable practices and conservation; confirm that the plants were not collected from the wild.
    • Advocate for more native plant sales in your community.

Conclusion

North Carolina’s endemic plants are ecological treasures. They are rare, increasingly at risk, and worth protecting. Let’s ensure these plant species thrive for generations to come.

Notes

1–A taxon (plural is taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism scientists called taxononmists define as a unit. These organisms usually share characteristics.

2–Editor’s note: When this article was first published, this app was free. It is now fee-based.

Resources and Additional Information

2022 “PLANT TAXA ENDEMIC TO NORTH CAROLINA,”  NC Natural Heritage Program, https://ncnhp.org/documents/2022-rare-plant-list-endemic-species-table/open 

2014 “North Carolina Endemic and Near-endemic Plants,” https://ncpedia.org/environment/endemic-and-near

Regarding an endemic species’ conservation status: if you want to better understand what a conservation code, like T or E, stands for: 2022 “EXPLANATION OF STATUS AND RANK CODES: North Carolina Natural Heritage Program List of Rare Plant Species of North Carolina,” https://ncnhp.org/documents/2022-rare-plant-list-status-and-rank-codes/open 

Species Database Search of the NC Natural Heritage Program, https://ncnhp.org/data/speciescommunity-search – comprehensive database for finding the counties, conservation status, etc. of each plant

Flora of the Southeastern United States, created by Alan S. Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team (NC Botanical Garden) – excellent plant database https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=index.php 

The Native Plant Trust’s database https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/Plant-Search 

2016 “Venus Flytraps Need Protection From Poachers in North Carolina,” NYT https://nytimes.com/2016/11/28/us/venus-flytraps-poaching-north-carolina.html 2020 “An ‘Extinction Hotspot’ in Appalachia,” Scientific American – The discovery of a lost plant species highlights the need to protect other endangered species in one of the most biodiverse regions in the US https://scientificamerican.com/article/an-extinction-hotspot-in-appalachia

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Editor’s Note: We’ll be taking next week off for Thanksgiving. We’ll see you again in December with more gardening goodness!

Mulch Matters: Understanding Materials and Methods

On By durhammastergardenersIn arborist wood chips, Durham NC, fall gardening, garden tasks, gardening, Gardening calendar, Gardening information, ground covers, inorganic mulching material, lasagne mulching, leaf mold for mulch, mulch, mulching and soil chemistry, mulching garden beds, mulching iwth paper, mulching leaves, mulching trees, mulching with arborist wood chips, mulching with cardboard, mulching with paper, organic mulching material, over mulching, plant fungi, plant pathogen, proper mulching techniques, regenerative agriculture, renewable gardening, sheet mulching, soil, soil coverage, soil health, soil microbes, tips for effective mulching, tips for proper mulching, Uncategorized

By Eric Wiebe, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

(Image credit: Allie Mullin)

As the gardening season is winding down, it’s time to start thinking about your fall and winter tasks. Near the top of that list should be thinking about mulching your plantings. A tour of your yard will probably reveal thin or bare spots where last year’s mulch has either broken down or been washed or blown away (those darn leaf blowers!). You may also want to put a winter cover on areas where you had vegetables growing. Finally, you may also have new areas you are preparing as garden beds where mulch will need to go around the new plantings.

Why Mulch Matters

First, let’s review why you want to be mulching in the first place. The primary reason most people mulch is for a combination of weed suppression and moisture retention. However, there are other just as important reasons to mulch. If you are using organic materials, you have the important benefit of in-place composting and humus generation, improving the biodiversity of the ground ecosystem throughout the mulch and into the surrounding soil and plants. Depending on type and placement, mulch can also help with erosion control and compaction. In addition to absorbing and holding moisture from rainfall, it can also minimize water splash from the underlying soil onto plants–potentially limiting the spread of harmful soil-borne fungi, such as blight. Finally, there may be good aesthetic reasons to mulch to create sharp delineations in color and texture in the landscape.

Types of Mulching Materials

What kinds of materials can you mulch with? Broadly speaking, mulches are grouped into organic and non-organic types. Included in organic materials are natural products, primarily from trees, that have been processed but will readily decompose–this includes cardboard, newspaper, and other paper products. 

Inorganic Mulch

The most common non-organic materials are landscape fabrics made from plastic–either sheet or woven–and various types of stone. These are often used together, as the landscape fabric can be placed under the stone to help suppress weeds and keep the stone from migrating into the soil. Plastic sheet, with or without perforations, is also used in fruit and vegetable production, often applied with specialized machinery. The rest of the blog post will focus on the more popular and beneficial organic mulches used by home gardeners.

Organic Mulch

While shredded hardwood comes to mind when thinking about mulch, other organic materials like leaves are great sources for mulching material. As they decompose, leaves improve soil health by providing nutrients and improving both water retention and percolation. (Left) Newly-raked leaves ready to be spread across the garden. (Right) Leaf mulch after a year of decomposing. (Image credit: Eric Wiebe)

Organic materials can be found from a variety of sources. The best and most convenient materials are those found right in your yard. This includes leaves, new or partially decomposed; grass clippings, compost, and plant and tree trimmings. There is the argument to be made that the best mulch sources are the most local, as they represent the local ecosystem and can best support the macro-/microbiome already in your yard. 

(Left to right) Arborist chip drop ready to be spread and a close-up of this type of mulching material. (Image credit: Eric Wiebe)

If you don’t have enough organic sources of mulch within your own yard, consider arborist wood chips. These are the product of local tree services as they cut down and chip tree limbs and can be acquired for free through a national service, ChipDrop (https://getchipdrop.com/). This product is still relatively local, representing tree species from your area and, for most of the year, contains a mixture of bark, wood, and leaves.

Research has shown that wood chips perform well with regards to moisture retention, temperature moderation, and weed control. While you can buy shredded (often from grinding whole trees), bark, and sawdust mulches from garden centers, many of these products are imported from other areas, bagged in plastic, or dyed. All of these factors both increase your cost and reduce their sustainability. In contrast, the biochemical and physical diversity of arborist chips resists compaction and creates a more diverse habitat for insects and microorganisms. Over time, the bark, wood chips and leaf matter will decompose, adding nutrients to the soil.

Paper products like newspaper and cardboard have long been used for sheet mulching/lasagne gardening techniques. Here a homeowner is using cardboard shipping boxes stripped of labels and tape as a base layer to be covered by other natural mulching materials. (Image credit: Melinda Heigel)

There are many, many other types of organic mulches that can be used. Pine straw is popular in NC and can be very local if you have a lot of pine trees on your property. While compost can also be used as mulch, its cost typically prohibits its use over a large area. Finally, paper products in the form of cardboard, newspaper, and brown paper have long been used as a form of sheet mulching. Note that you typically have to cover these materials with a somewhat dense mulch (e.g., partially decomposed leaves) in order to hold it in place. While there has been some social media controversy over the use of cardboard, it is still generally believed to be a quality mulch material when applied properly. Note that you should carefully remove non-decomposable elements such as tape and staples, and avoid glossy, non-brown cardboard as they may contain unwanted inks and plastics. While grass clippings can be used as a mulch, it tends to decompose quickly, not drain well when wet or blow away when dry. They may also contain excessive fertilizer or herbicides. Instead, consider mulching it in place in the lawn.

Tips for Effective Mulching

There are best practices to consider when using any mulch, and some considerations for specific types of mulches. First, to the best of your ability, plan how much area you have to cover and what volume of mulch you need. As a rule of thumb, you will need 6 cubic yards of mulch to cover 1,000 sq ft at 2″ deep–you generally will want to keep your mulch 1-3″ thick. However, this thickness will be driven in part by the density of the mulch; how well it retains moisture and allows oxygen to pass through it. Lighter mulch material such as pine straw or newly raked up leaves can often be deeper, while wood chips should be around 2-3.” If mulch is piled too deep, is too fine, or retains too much water, air cannot penetrate the mulch layer and the mulch and underlying soil can be depleted of oxygen. Mulch decomposing in low oxygen (anaerobic) conditions will sour, or ferment, producing methanol and acetic acid, which can be toxic to plants.

(Left to right) A properly-mulched tree has a few inches of mulch that extend to the edge of the drip line (or area that mirrors the tree’s crown). The root flare is visible at the base of the tree, as mulch isn’t in direct contact with the trunk. By contrast, the tree on the right is an example of all-to-familiar over mulching. Known as “volcano mulching,” mounding mulch around the trunk is harmful to your tree, leading to its decline and possible death. (Image credit: Penn State Extension; Eric Wiebe)

For all plants and trees, make sure to apply mulch all the way out to the drip line as you want to provide weed suppression, moisture retention, and soil benefits to all of the roots of the plant. Trees are another case of the dangers of over or improper mulching. Mulch should not come in contact with the bark of the tree as it promotes the kind of dark, moist environments that allow harmful fungi to enter the tree through the bark. Think donuts rather than volcanoes when you mulch your trees.

Impact of Mulch on Soil Chemistry

Using pine straw mulch as an acidifier on blueberries. (Image credit: Eric Wiebe)

Mulches can influence soil chemistry. While most of the time, this is happening in a good way, you need to understand the properties of the mulch you are using. Pine straw and pine bark, for example, has a naturally low pH. While this may be a problem on some plants, you can use it to your advantage with acid-loving plants such as azaleas or blueberries. Organic mulches with a high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, like sawdust, hardwood bark, or wheat straw, may induce a short-term nitrogen deficiency as it breaks down. If plants in the mulched area become chlorotic and growth slows, consider applying one to two pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft to compensate. Almost all mulches will have a very localized nitrogen deficiency at the boundary between the soil and mulch. However, this is good as it inhibits weed growth.

Many of the basics and a few of the nuances about mulching have been covered here. As with most aspects of gardening, you can, if you want, continue to go down the rabbit hole of the science of mulching. The resources below will get you started!

Resources and Additional Information

General guidelines on mulching trees and shrubs: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mulching-trees-and-shrubs/

Mulching garden beds:

https://carteret.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/08/mulching-your-garden-beds

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/using-mulch-garden

Benefits of using arborist wood chips: https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/using-arborist-wood-chips-as-a-landscape-mulch-home-garden-series

Tips for mulching in the spring: https://ext.vt.edu/lawngarden/turfandgardentips/tips/Springtime_mulch.html

Comprehensive guide to mulching materials: https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource007193_Rep10385.pdf

Sheet mulching/lasagne gardening gardening with paper products: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/soil-compost/sheet-mulching-aka-lasagna-composting-builds-soil-saves-time

https://extensiongardener.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/01/sheet-mulching-2020-winter-piedmont-news/

Problems with over mulching: https://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/10/can-too-much-mulch-killl-plants/

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