North Carolina Imperiled 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.
However, over 400 of those native plants are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. North Carolina native plants are included on the endangered species list if they are on the federal endangered plant species list (154 plants as of February 2021) or if they have been identified by the Scientific Committee of the North Carolina Plant Conservation Board and then reviewed and added to the North Carolina endangered plant species list. The North Carolina endangered plant species list is reviewed every five (5) years.
Endangered: any plant species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Threatened: any plant species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Special Concern-Vulnerable (SC-V): any species or higher taxon of plant likely to become a threatened species within the foreseeable future due to pressure from collecting, development, or other threats.
Special Concern-Historical (SC-H): 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.
Imperiled: a native plant on the endangered or threatened list.
Protected plant: a species or higher taxon of plant officially designated as endangered, threatened, or of special concern.
However, over 400 of those native plants are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. North Carolina native plants are included on the endangered species list if they are on the federal endangered plant species list (154 plants as of February 2021) or if they have been identified by the Scientific Committee of the North Carolina Plant Conservation Board and then reviewed and added to the North Carolina endangered plant species list. The North Carolina endangered plant species list is reviewed every five (5) years.
Endangered: any plant species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Threatened: any plant species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Special Concern-Vulnerable (SC-V): any species or higher taxon of plant likely to become a threatened species within the foreseeable future due to pressure from collecting, development, or other threats.
Special Concern-Historical (SC-H): 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.
Imperiled: a native plant on the endangered or threatened list.
Protected plant: a species or higher taxon of plant officially designated as endangered, threatened, or of special concern.