The Plants

North Carolina is one of the most ecologically diverse states in the southeast. This diversity is exhibited by more than 4000 native plant species found from the sandy dunes of the coast to the tops of our tallest mountains.

The beauty of our state has brought an expanding population, with need for agricultural and urban development to support us. Our activities have meant that much of what once grew in abundance has been lost. Native plant habitat has also been lost to:

· Timbering

· Wetland drainage

· Fire suppression

· Collection of plants for medicinal or ornamental purposes

There are 422 plant species listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern by the NC Plant Conservation Program. As a group, we refer to these as imperiled species.

Definitions

Imperiled: a native plant on the endangered or threatened list.

Endangered: any species or higher taxon of plant whose continued existence as a viable component of the State's flora is determined to be in jeopardy by the NCPCP Board; also, any species of plant determined to be an "endangered species" pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act.

Threatened: any resident species of plant which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range, or one that is designated as threatened by the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service. (1979, c. 964, s. 1.)

Special Concern-Vulnerable (SC-V): means any species or higher taxon of plant which is likely to become a threatened species within the foreseeable future due to pressure from collecting, development or other threats.

Special Concern-Historical (SC-H): means any species or higher taxon of plant that occurred in North Carolina at one time, but for which all known populations are currently considered to be either historical or extirpated .

Protected plant: a species or higher taxon of plant adopted by the Board to protect, conserve, and/or enhance the plant species and includes those the Board has designated as endangered, threatened, or of special concern.

Symphyotricum georgiana, Georgia aster.

Status: Threatened.

Photo by Trena McNabb.

Lindera melissifolia, pondberry or southern spicebush.

Status: Endangered

Photo by Kathy Schlosser

Echinacea laevigata, smooth coneflower

Status: Endangered

Photo by Laura Gadd.

How Plants Are Selected For Listing

From the Plant Conservation Act of the State of North Carolina:

§ 106‑202.16. Criteria and procedures for placing plants on protected plant lists.

(a) All native or resident plants which are on the current federal lists of endangered or threatened plants pursuant to the Endangered Species Act have the same status on the North Carolina Protected Plants lists.

(b) The Board, the Scientific Committee, or any resident of North Carolina may propose to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that a plant be added to or removed from a protected plant list.

(c) If the Board, with the advice of the Scientific Committee, finds that there is any substance to the proposal, it shall publish notice of the proposal in a Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services news release.

(d) The Board shall collect relevant scientific and economic data, concerning any substantial proposal, necessary to determine:

(1) Whether or not any other State or federal agency or private entity is taking steps to protect the plant under consideration;

(2) The present or threatened destruction, modification or curtailment of its habitat;

(3) Over‑utilization for commercial, scientific, educational or recreational purposes;

(4) Critical depletion from disease or predation;

(5) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or

(6) Other natural or man‑made factors affecting its continued existence in North Carolina.

If the Board, with the advice of the Scientific Committee, finds that the plant should be added to or removed from a protected plant list the Board shall instigate rule‑making procedures to add or remove the plant from the list.

Friends of Plant Conservation