Look for the
Rare Plant Symbol
throughout
North America!
10
9
5, 6
7, 8
1
5, 8 (view
from tram)
3, 4
2
1. Venus Flytrap
6. Large Witch-alder
2. Franklin Tree
7. Michaux’s Sumac
3. Green Pitcherplant
8. Schweinitz’s Sunflower
4. Sweet Pitcherplant
9. Oconee Bells
5. Smooth Coneflower
10. Goldenseal
Guide to the NC Zoo’s Rare Plants
1. Dionaea muscipula – Summer blooming
Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant that is native
to sunny wetlands in the southeastern Coastal
Plain of NC and SC. It has modified hinged
leaves that close and digest insects. SC-V, FSC
2. Franklinia alatamaha – Summer blooming
In 1765 John Bartram and his son William
discovered the Franklin Tree growing along
Georgia’s Altamaha River in a 2-3 acre area.
They successfully grew plants from seeds they
collected. This tree was never seen growing at
any other place and by 1803 it was extinct in the
wild. Extinct, Found only in cultivation
3. Sarracenia oreophila – Spring blooming
The carnivorous Green Pitcherplant is found in a
few sites in seepage bogs and on stream banks
of NC, AL, & GA. It lures insects into its hooded
pitchers where they are trapped and die, then
nutrients are absorbed from the prey. E, E
4. Sarracenia jonesii – Spring blooming
The Sweet Pitcherplant is a very rare plant, found
in only a few locations in mountain bogs and on
stream sides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC
and SC. This carnivorous plant also traps prey in
its hooded pitchers. E, E
5. Echinacea laevigata – Spring/Summer
blooming The endangered Smooth Coneflower,
is a perennial in the aster family. It grows in open
sunny areas where there is little competition from
other plants. E, E
The NC Plant Conservation Program (NCPCP), a unit of the Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services is the agency who list the legal status of NC’s
endangered and threatened plants and is responsible for protecting these species.
The NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) maintains an inventory of the locations
of these rare plants. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), a federal agency, is
also responsible for listing and protecting endangered and threatened species.
6. Fothergilla major – Spring Blooming
The Large Witch-alder, is a rare shrub native to the
mountain woods, ravines and stream banks in the
southeastern US, in particular the southern
Appalachians. The beautiful blooms are fragrant
bottlebrush-like spikes. SR-T,
7. Rhus michauxii – Summer blooming
Michaux’s Sumac is a very rare plant that grows in
open sunny areas in woods of the Piedmont and
Coastal plain. Fire suppression has played a role in
its endangered status. E, E
8. Helianthus schweinitzii – Fall blooming
The endangered Schweinitz’s Sunflower is native to
the Piedmont regions of NC and SC. In the past,
they probably grew in prairie-like areas and
Blackjack or Post Oak savannahs with some
disturbance, like fire. They are now found along
roads, under power lines or in open woodlands. E, E
9. Shortia galacifolia var. galacifolia – Spring
blooming Oconee Bells is a very rare plant found
along rich, wooded stream banks in the mountains
of NC, SC & GA. It was discovered in 1788 but was
not seen again in the wild for almost a century.
SC-V, FSC
10. Hydrastis canadensis – Spring blooming
Goldenseal is native to moist, rich hardwood forests.
Historically, it was used extensively by Native
Americans medicinally and for coloring. It still is a
popular herb sold in the US. Its threatened status is
a result of overharvesting. SR-O,
State Status Codes for Rare Plants
SC-V Special Concern- Vulnerable
E
Endangered
SR-T Rare Throughout Range
SR-O Range of Plant is Sporadic
Federal Status Codes for Rare Plants
FSC Federal Species of Concern
E
Endangered