Green Swamp (North Carolina)
The Green Swamp is a swamp that lies in Brunswick and Columbus counties in North Carolina. The swamp was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974. Today, the Nature Conservancy manages a total of 17,424 acres of the swamp as the Green Swamp Preserve. The carnivorous plant known as the Venus flytrap is found within this swamp, and it is important for other unique and endangered species. North Carolina laws prohibit the removal of these plants from their habitat. The wetlands support a rich ecology and are important as habitat along the Atlantic Flyway of migrating birds and other species.
Green Swamp is the current tribal homeland of the state-recognized Waccamaw Siouan tribe of Native Americans, one of eight in the state.
Carnivorous plants
The North Carolina Green Swamp is home to many types of carnivorous plant due to its unique habitat. The wet longleaf pine savannah provides damp, nutrient-poor soil and open understory; these factors make it an ideal habitat for carnivorous plants. These plants get their nutrients by trapping insects and then using specialized leaves and enzymes to absorb the nutrients from the insects they capture.Notable carnivorous plants include:
- Venus flytrap : A species endemic to a small radius surrounding Wilmington, North Carolina; one of its largest wild populations in the Green Swamp.
- Pitcher plant: A few species, including the yellow pitcher plant, and the purple pitcher plant .Pinguicula : Yellow butterwort, and blue butterwort are found in the swamp. These have sticky leaves that trap insects.
- Bladderworts: Eastern purple bladderwort and the slender bladderwort are another type of carnivorous plant present in the area. Have a sweet sticky glad on their leaves that attracts then traps insects.
- Drosera : The Green Swamp is home to many different species: Drawf Sundew , Pink Sundew, and Thread-leaved Sundew. Have sticky tentacles that have a sweet smell that draws insects close enough for the plant to trap them.