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Plants

Seabeach amaranth

http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/seabamaranth.html

Seabeach amaranth is an extremely hardy little plant, known as a “dune builder” that lives on North Carolinas’ barrier islands. Seabeach amaranth does not compete well in areas with dense vegetation but has developed mechanisms to sustain powerful winds, intense sunlight, burning temperatures and high salinity. Unfortunately, this shore stabilizing plant is federally threatened; populations are decreasing as stabilization structures are constructed and beaches are nourished (USFWS, 2007). In addition to being much more frequently under water as sea level rises

Atlantic white cedar

http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/coastal/plnwrawc/awcindex.html

Once the most common tree species in the North Carolina coastal plain, the Atlantic white cedar is now limited primarily to protected tracts of forest in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in the northeastern part of the state (Moore & Laderman, 2003). Generally found in close association with coastal wetlands and pocosin swamps, these magnificent trees are an obligate wetland species, assisting in performing many important wetland functions including land stabilization, flood control and water filtration (Kuser & Zimmerman, 1995). Resistant to weathering and decay Atlantic white cedar stands were a valuable timber species, subsequerntly much of the stands were lost over the 20 th century due to over-harvest (Brown & Kirkman, 1990). Additionally, draining of peatlands and hardwood swamps for agriculture contributed to huge stand reductions of this species in NCs coastal wetlands.

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris )

http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/gallery/d/234-2/trP_longleaf_pine176.jpg

Longleaf Pine was once abundant along the southeast coastline. Now about 3% of the original population remains. These forests are known for their rich biodiversity and house many species found nowhere else. Unlike most tree species, Longleaf Pines are fire resistant and depend on them to clear land for their growth. Longleaf Pine is disappearing due to harvesting and development. It is also being replaced by Loblolly Pine and eaten by feral hogs. The continued loss of this habitat could result in the loss of several species of birds, such as the Red Cockaded Woodpecker and Brown-headed Nuthatch that depend on this tree for their only food source. (Wikipedia)

http://thegardensgift.blogspot.com/longleaf-pine.jpg

Cooley's Meadowrue (Thalictrum cooleyi)

http://www.gsrcorp.com/tes/THCO5/Thalictrum_cooleyi.jpg, http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/coolmeadow.html

Cooley’s Meadowrue is a perennial herb found in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. They grow in grass-sedge bogs, wet pine savannahs, and areas of disturbance. The North Carolina Population can only be found on privately owned land in 4 counties with some of the sites belonging to the Nature Conservancy. This species is subject to habitat destruction due to agriculture, development and road construction. (USFWS)