Helonias bullata

Taxobox | name = Swamp pink
status = Threatened

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image caption = Swamp pink ("Helonias bullata")
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Liliales
familia = Liliaceae
genus = "Helonias"
species = "H. bullata"
binomial = "Helonias bullata"

Swamp Pink ("Helonias bullata") is perennial rhizomatous herb and usually blooms from March to May. Its fragrant flowers are pink and occur in a cluster. It has dark evergreen, lance-shaped, and parallel-veined leaves that form a basal rosette.

Swamp Pink is a federally threatened species that was historically distributed from Staten Island, New York to the southern Appalachians. Currently, New Jersey supports the largest and most numerous populations, but there are populations in six other states: Delaware; Maryland; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina, and Georgia. There is also some indication that a population of Swamp Pink has survived on Staten Island.

Swamp Pink occurs in wetland habitats and it requires habitat which is saturated, but not flooded, with water. Typical areas include swampy forested wetlands which border small streams; meadows, and spring seepage areas. It is often found near conifer trees.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service has instituted a volunteer monitoring project, “Adopt-a-Swamp-Pink Population”. The program has been further expanded by a joint volunteer effort with Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.. The survey results are shared with U.S.F.W.S. and the New Jersey Natural Heritage database.

References

*
* [http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=42941 Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Taxonomy Report]
* [http://www.fws.gov/northeast/njfieldoffice/Fact%20Sheets%20PDF%20holding/Swamp_Pink_PDF.pdf U.S. Fish Wildlife Service Adopt a swamp pink program]

External links

* [http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/i/q/saq54.html Endangered and Threatened Species of the Southeastern United States]
* [http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/ASP/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=2210 CPC National Collection Plant Profile]
* [http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Helonias+bullata NatureServe Explorer Profile]
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=220006207 Flora of North America "Helonias bullata"]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HEBU NCRS: USDA: Plants Profile "Helonias bullata"]