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Swamp Pink in NCSwamp Pink in North Carolina

Swamp Pink
Helonias bullata

Status:  Threatened

Family:  Lily

Flowering/Fruiting Dates:  March - May

Habitat:  Wetlands that are saturated hut not flooded, including southern Appalachian bogs and swamps. Atlantic white cedar swamps, swampy forests hordering small streams; boggy meadows and spring seepage areas. Commonly associated with some evergreens, including white cedar, pitch pine, American larch, and black spruce.

Distinguishing Characteristics:  Basal rosette of light green, lance-shaped and parallel-veined leaves with a hollow-stemmed flower stalk that can grow 8-35 inches during flowering and up to 5 feet during seed maturation. Small pink flowers are clustered (30-50) at the tip of the stem, in a bottlebrush shape.

Threats:  Wetland loss to urhan. agricultural & silvicultural development; habitat degradation (esp. siltation) from offsite disturbance including groundwater withdrawal, sewage discharge, siltation from soil erosion, introduction of excess nutrients and toxic chemicals; trampling: collection.

Species Distribution from known occurrences. Species may occur in similar habitats in other counties.Green counties indicate observed within 20 years. Yellow counties indicate an obscure data reference to the species in the county. Red counties indicate observed more than 20 years ago.

Species location of the Swamp pink in NC

Species Location Map based on information provided by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
For additional information regarding this Web page, contact Carolyn Wells, in Asheville, NC, at carolyn_wells@fws.gov

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