CAROLINA BEACH STATE PARK, N.C. — The Venus flytrap, a small but captivating carnivorous plant native only to a narrow region surrounding Wilmington, North Carolina, continues to draw national and international fascination. Known for its unique method of capturing insects, the plant remains one of the most iconic species in the Carolinas.
Despite its allure, the Venus flytrap faces increasing threats. Carolina Beach State Park Ranger Jesse Anderson emphasized that while poaching remains a concern, the plant’s survival is more immediately endangered by the region’s rapid development—particularly in sensitive wetland ecosystems where the flytraps naturally thrive.
“These flytraps, they’re in backyards throughout North Carolina, and development can just happen right on top of them,” Anderson said. “Protecting the habitats of the Venus flytrap protects all sorts of plants and animals.”
The blooming season, which occurs from May through June, attracts visitors from around the world to Carolina Beach State Park, highlighting the plant’s ecological and tourism value. Anderson noted that increased public awareness not only aids in the flytrap’s conservation but also supports broader efforts to preserve the area’s biodiversity.
“People that live in Wilmington and this area where Venus flytraps are found, they really have something to latch onto with having such a unique, iconic carnivorous plant,” he added.
Officials warn that harvesting Venus flytraps in the wild is illegal. Under North Carolina law, removing them without permission constitutes a felony offense.
As development accelerates in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions, conservationists stress the importance of safeguarding the fragile environments these plants call home.
