Status of Listed Species and Recovery Plan Development
Swamp Pink
Helonias bullata -- Threatened
North Carolina
Current Status:
Development leading to the degradetion of wetlands in which this wildflower occurs is the primary threat to its survival.
Achievements:
Since its listing in 1988, several new populations have been found at the northern and southern portions of the species' range. Most notable is the 1991 discovery of a spruce bog population consisting of at least 100,000 plants on Forest Service land. This important discovery resulted from an informal section 7 consultation on a proposed Forest Service visitor center. The Forest Service revised preliminary development plans in order to avoid the swamp pink site. Monitoring plots have been established within colonies adjacent to the visitor center and within the undisturbed population outside of the impact area.
Current Recovery Needs:
Further site evaluations, completion of searches for additional sites, habitat protection, public information programs, and investigations of genetic variability, population dynamics, and habitat needs are identified in the recovery plan.
Partnerships
National Park Service: University of Georgia researchers have used National Park Service funding to complete preliminary genetic analyses.Forest Service: This Federal agency is monitoring populations on its lands and has agreed to divert development from known populations.
North Carolina Department of Agriculture's Plant Conservation Program: The Department is cooperating with The Nature Conservancy and the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect swamp pink habitat.
The Nature Conservancy: The State chapter is negotiating to acquire a Henderson County site that supports, in addition to swamp pink, the endangered bunched arrowhead (Sagittaria fasciculata). The endangered mountain sweet pitcher plant (Sarracenia rubra spp. jonesii) also grew there historically, as did a listing candidate, the white fringeless orchid (Platanthera integrilabia).
Recovery Plan Status:
Plan approved 9/30/91.
