Swamp-pink

Listed: 9/9/1988

Status since listing: Unknown

The Swamp-pink (Helonias bullata), a member of the lily family, is a rare wetland perennial usually found clustered in moisture-rich areas near evergreen trees. Swamp pink grows in large dense patches creating magnificent displays that are easy to find when it blooms beginning in April or early May [2]. Historically, the swamp pink occurred in eight states in a range extending from Staten Island, New York south to Georgia [3]. Following increased development, logging, and wetland drainage in and near swamp pink habitat, populations began declining and in 1988, the swamp pink was listed as threatened [3].

In 1991, a recovery plan for the swamp pink was released with the intent of protecting remaining occupied sites and initiating regular monitoring [3]. At this time, it was estimated that the swamp pink occurred at 122 sites in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia [3]. Each of these sites was thought to support a population of a few to several thousand plants [3]. The largest number of sites and the largest populations were in New Jersey where 68 occupied sites were documented [4]. This was down from the 100 sites the state is thought to have once supported [4].

A majority of swamp pink sites occur on private land [3] and many populations are still unprotected from known threats [2]. Even when the land where a population occurs is protected from development, off-site effects caused by development on neighboring lands can pose a severe threat [4]. Some detrimental off-site activities include: water withdrawal for irrigation or crop production, discharge from sewage treatment plants, increased siltation from inadequate control of soil erosion, and the introduction of excess nutrients or chemicals into the water [4]. Although some regulations such as required buffer zones around protected habitat have been implemented to try to prevent these impacts, they may be inadequate (with a buffer of only 150-300ft required in some areas) [1]. In overdeveloped areas, inadequate buffer zones tend to isolate a wetland causing it to become a sink that receives stormwater runoff and pollution from adjacent areas [4]. In addition to human threats, the swamp pink may also be threatened by limited genetic variability due to its mostly asexual reproduction, limited seed dispersal, and limited flowering potential [4].

[1] Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. Website (http://www.cumauriceriver.org/pages/swmpnk.html) accessed Feb 16, 2006
[2] Center for Plant Conservation. 2002. Helonias bullata, National Plant Collection Profile. Website (http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/ASP/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=2210) accessed Feb. 16, 2006.
[3] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1991. Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata) Recovery Plan. Newton Corner, Massachusetts. 56 pp.
[4] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990. Endangered and Threatened Species of the Southeastern United States (The Red Book). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4, September, 1990. Website (http://www.fws.gov/endangered/i/q/saq54.html) accessed Feb. 16, 2006.