Category: sustainability

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!

Leave The Leaves: A Simple Way to Help Wildlife and Your Garden

On By durhammastergardenersIn bees, beneficial insects, composting, dealing with fall leaves on lawn, Durham NC, fall gardening, garden design, gardening, Gardening information, gardening NC, insects, lawns, leaves, mulch, pollinator gardening, pollinators, soil, soil health, soil microbes, sustainability, sustainable gardening, sustanability, urban wildlife

By Marcia Kirinus, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

Image credit: Jean Epiphan


Did you know that the National Wildlife Federation has designated October as Leave the Leaves Month? This initiative encourages people to rethink traditional fall yard clean-up by leaving fallen leaves in place—or at least on your property—instead of bagging them up and sending them to the landfill

Traditional fall clean-up often involves raking or blowing leaves, bagging them, and setting them out on the curb. Then we head over to the big box store to buy mulch and fertilizer to replace what nature is already providing. This process is time consuming, resource draining, and unnecessary. Leaves are not trash. We are missing an opportunity.

Instead, let nature do the hard work — your garden will thank you. The thing that is most natural to do — the thing that happens in nature — is to let your leaves lie where they fall. If you have extra leaves, bag them and offer them to neighbors or local gardeners who can make good use of them.

Beyond convenience, there are significant benefits to leaving the leaves. First and foremost, they nourish the soil. As leaves decompose, they enrich the soil with nutrients, promoting healthier, richer soils. Consider them free mulch and fertilizer. Second, leaves insulate the soil, protecting it from temperature fluctuations. They also help retain moisture. Finally, leaves make incredibly important habitats for wildlife. Have you noticed a decline in lightning bugs? Most of their life cycle is spent under leaf debris. By keeping your leaves in place you can boost wildlife habitats, enrich your soil, and even help with global environmental challenges.

Left: Adult Firefly. Right: Larvae of Firefly . Most fireflies are habitat specialists. They rely on undisturbed leaf litter for one year or more to complete their lifecycles. These insects spend most of their lives as larvae preying on earthworms and other animals in the soil or leaf litter. If that habitat is disrupted during their youth, populations can be extinguished. (Image credit M. Bertone, NCSU Entomology.)

Last year’s oak leaves slowly decomposing with the help of small pinwheel mushrooms (Marasmius rotula).  Image credit: Jean Epiphan


Soil Enrichment: The Cornerstone of Healthy Gardens

Soils rich in organic matter absorb and retain water better, turning a soggy lawn into a sponge-like garden bed. In as little as two years, you can turn those wet areas into walkable spaces. It’s not a miracle as building soils naturally is a slow process, but it’s a start and it’s free.

Healthy soil, enriched by decomposed leaves, supports deep-rooted plants, reduces watering needs, and improves plant resilience.


Wildlife Benefits: From Moths to Bumblebees

Leaves provide shelter for many species, including fireflies, butterflies, Moths and endangered bumblebees. Caterpillars overwinter in leaf litter, which also sustains backyard birds in spring. By leaving leaves on the ground, you’re creating essential habitats for these creatures, helping maintain biodiversity and supporting the larger food chain, from insects to birds. Caterpillars, which overwinter in the leaf litter, are a primary food source for 96% of backyard birds during the spring.

From Left to Right: Luna moth pupae, ( Actias luna ), are often difficult to see as they are a chestnut brown and overwinter in leaf litter. In the spring it will emerge as a soft green, 3 to 4.5 inch moth. All life stages provide food for predators. (Image credit: Donald W. Hall, UF) Leaf litter is the ideal Earthworm habitat. Earthworms provide beneficial castings which are building blocks to healthy soil. (Image credit: M. Bertone, NCSU) Woolly bear (Pyrrharctia isabella) construct shelters like this one made from pine needles to protect themselves from the winter elements. They also commonly use leaf litter and other yard debris. (Image credit: batwrangler, flickr. with permission)


Small Acts, Big Impact: Helping with Global Change

By making small changes in how we manage our yards, we can create big environmental benefits—both locally and globally. Leaving the leaves isn’t just about benefiting your yard—it’s about making a difference on a global scale. Encouraging wildlife and helping to maintain a balance in the food chain is one way you are helping. By skipping the blower and rake, you also reduce fossil fuel consumption, lowering your carbon footprint. Additionally, leaves that are sent to landfills contribute to methane emissions as they decompose without oxygen. Composting them in your yard helps reduce these emissions.

If you still want to move your leaves around the yard, consider using a rake instead of a blower. Rakes are quieter, healthier for you, and don’t rely on fossil fuels. They also give you more control, allowing you to gently move the leaves without disturbing the soil or nearby wildlife. My neighbor for 17 years told me that he can rake faster than he can blow his leaves. I was dubious. At the time, my clean-up tool was a blower. However, I hated the noise and smell so I took his words as a challenge. I pulled out the rake and never looked back. I can rake faster, and with a lighter touch. I can listen to the birds and I feel stronger, fitter for doing so.

I also reduced my turfgrass lawn significantly so I can leave the leaves in place. I converted it into valuable wildlife habitat by planting native ferns and flowers. Lawns require water, fertilizer, and herbicides, not to mention mowing, which creates noise and uses fossil fuels. And lawns are wildlife dead zones. However, I still need a place to play fetch with Moira, so a small patch of “meadow” remains. I say meadow because it is green – mostly clover.

Making the most of your leaves

Here are a few simple strategies to keep them working for you. You don’t have to leave all the leaves exactly where they fall.

  • On Lawns: A thick layer of leaves can suffocate your lawn. Instead, run a mower over the leaves to chop them into smaller pieces. A thin layer (1–2 inches) of shredded leaves can actually nourish the grass over the winter, breaking down over time to feed the soil.
  • Flower or Vegetable Beds: Spread whole leaves in flower beds or vegetable gardens. They act as mulch, suppressing weeds and adding organic matter as they decompose, improving soil structure and fertility. For most garden beds, a leaf layer of 3–5 inches deep is ideal. Avoid piling leaves directly on top of plants; instead, place them around the plants, covering any exposed soil. This will suppress weeds, preserve soil moisture, and return nutrients to the roots as the leaves decompose.
  • Composting: Leaves are perfect for composting—rich in carbon and ideal for building fertile soil. Consider adding them to your compost pile or creating a leaf mold. If the wind blows leaves into unwanted areas, let nature guide them into natural piles, and then redistribute the leaves to your garden beds or around trees.

From left to right: Mower cutting leaves into small pieces instead of removing them (Image credit: Pixaby);. Moving whole leaves to help create paths by suppressing weeds (Image credit: Justin Butts). Composting excessive leaves (Image credit: Christy Bredenkamp, NC Extension Director, Moore County).

Conclusion: A Small Change with a Big Impact


With just a few thoughtful changes, as gardeners and homeowners, we have the power to make a positive impact on the environment by simply rethinking how we take care of our little piece of earth outside of our back door. This October, join the movement and Leave the Leaves—because every leaf left behind makes a difference.

Resources and Additional Information

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