National Collection Spotlight: Bog Asphodel

Bog asphodel (Narthecium americanum) is an imperiled species that is found in bogs and pine barrens of the coastal plain from New Jersey to South Carolina, where they line the margins of streams, cedar swamps, and bog mats that are periodically flooded and flushed by moving water.

This perennial lily, growing up to half a meter tall, graces pine barrens bogs with its beautiful yellow flowers in June and July. When the heat of summer brings millions of people to the beaches, bays, and towns of the North American Coastal Plain, they travel to their sandy destinations by passing through these areas of exceptional biodiversity that are in critical danger. Unfortunately, Bog asphodel and many bog species are threatened by activities that change the local water regime, including dam-building by people and beavers, and the conversion of swamps to cranberry bogs. Populations on private lands are also threatened by development.

Bog asphodel is stewarded by CPC Conservation Partners Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Native Plant Trust, where orthodox seed banking, germination studies, and propagation research is being conducted. More research is needed in both the field and greenhouse to help identify the best practices in conserving this rare species.

Learn more about Bog asphodel on its plant profile and look up more rare plant species in the National Collection with CPC’s Rare Plant Finder.