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 fire the savanna greens vigorously with the new life of grasses and wildflowers. Here are some photos from my recent trip to Green Swamp, North Carolina.