The Green Swamp has some of the country’s finest examples of longleaf pine savannas. A total of 14 different species of insectivorous plants, including Venus flytraps, sundews, and pitcher plants grow along beside rare native orchids. Many of the plants benefit from periodic burning. Fire reduces competition from woody shrubs and trees that would shade out other plants. After a burn of the Big Island in July, the savanna vigorously came back to life with a splendid display of grasses and wildflowers. Here are some photos from my October fieldtrip to Green Swamp, North Carolina.

I made two trips: one on October 7th with a group from the NC Native Plant Society and a solo trip one week later. On my second visit I arrived at 8:30 am to catch the early morning light. At this time of day the savanna has a golden colour. The abundance of wildflowers blooming amongst the grass was most impressive!