NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Helonias bullata

Swamp Pink

Scientific Name:	Helonias bullata
Genus:	Helonias
Species Epithet:	bullata
Common Name:	Swamp Pink
Plant Type	Herb/Wildflower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Heloniadaceae (Swamp-Pink Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Invasive Status:	^(*Key)
Size:	0-1 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	Pink
Light:	Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Moist, Wet
Bloom Time:	April, May
Growing Area:	Mountains
Habitat Description:	Bogs, usually under dense shrubs in peaty soils. Rare in NC found primarily in the southeastern “corner” of the mountains, from Henderson County west to Macon County. Also known from a single site in the northern mountains, in Ashe County.
Leaf Arrangement:	Basal
Leaf Retention:	Evergreen
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Not Assigned
Landscape Value:	Not Recommended for home landscapes
State Rank:	S2: Imperiled ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G3 - Vulnerable ^(*Key)
State Status:	T: Threatened ^(*Key)
Federal Status:	T - Threatened ^(*Key)
Notes:	Not only is this a State listed species (Threatened), it is also Federally listed as Threatened, as well.
Inflorescence is a showy cone-shaped raceme at the top of a tall, smooth, scape bearing small, light-colored scale-like bracts. Will Stuart
Individual flowers are slender and tubular with showy, protruding stamens. Will Stuart
Each flower has 6 blue anthers that contrast with the 6 tepals. Will Stuart
Plant habit, showing the elongate basal leaves and tall flower scape. From the "Pink Beds", Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Will Stuart
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record