Riparian zones—the narrow bands of vegetation that border rivers, streams, and creeks—are some of the most ecologically important landscapes in North America. These green corridors filter pollutants, stabilize soil, slow floodwaters, provide wildlife habitat, and maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems. But riparian areas are also among the most endangered habitats due to agriculture, livestock pressure, suburban …
Across North America, native prairies once stretched across millions of acres, supporting an extraordinary diversity of grasses, wildflowers, insects, birds, and mammals. Today, less than 1% of original tallgrass prairie remains, and mixed-grass and shortgrass prairies have also declined dramatically. Habitat fragmentation, agriculture, development, and invasive species have pushed many native prairie plants into rarity …
Coastal dunes form the first line of defense between the ocean and inland ecosystems. These shifting landscapes—built by wind, waves, and resilient vegetation—protect communities from storm surge, stabilize beaches, and provide critical habitat for birds, insects, reptiles, and rare plants. But today, dunes along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts face accelerating degradation. Coastal development, …
Carolina Bays are among the most mysterious and ecologically unique natural formations in the southeastern United States. These elliptical depressions—found throughout the Carolinas and parts of Georgia—are home to rare wetland ecosystems filled with specialized plants, amphibians, migratory birds, and invertebrates. Unfortunately, many Carolina Bays have been drained, farmed, filled, or altered, leading to the …
Florida is home to one of the richest orchid floras in the United States, with more than 100 native species found in swamps, hammocks, wetlands, pine rocklands, and tropical hardwood forests. Many of these orchids are epiphytic—growing on trees rather than soil—while others are terrestrial, thriving in moist jungle-like understories. But today, many Florida orchids …
Every spring, Arizona’s deserts erupt into a breathtaking tapestry of color—brilliant oranges, vivid yellows, cool purples, and delicate pinks scattered across a harsh, sunbaked landscape. This explosion of life, known as the Southwest desert spring bloom, is one of the most iconic natural spectacles in North America. Yet many people don’t realize that several of …
Desert plants are often seen as hardy survivors capable of withstanding scorching heat, intense sunlight, and long periods without water. But many desert species—particularly rare or threatened ones—are far more sensitive than most people expect. In fact, numerous endangered desert plants decline rapidly when summer temperatures rise beyond their evolutionary thresholds or when growing conditions …
Alpine plants are some of the most resilient yet vulnerable botanical species on Earth. Adapted to life above the treeline—where temperatures are low, winds are intense, and growing seasons last only a few weeks—these plants have evolved unique forms, textures, and strategies for survival. Cushion growth habits, deep taproots, and antifreeze-like cellular structures allow alpine …
The Arctic and sub-Arctic tundra of Alaska is one of the most extreme ecosystems on Earth. With permafrost beneath the soil, fierce winds, long winters, and short growing seasons, this landscape challenges every form of life. Yet, despite these harsh conditions, the Alaskan tundra hosts a breathtaking array of hardy plant species that have evolved …
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one of the most iconic carnivorous plants in the world, known for its hinged traps that snap shut on unsuspecting insects. Found naturally only within a small radius in North and South Carolina, this plant has fascinated botanists, hobbyists, conservationists, and educators for generations. Unfortunately, the Venus flytrap is …