The Plant Ecologist's Blog

Native Vines for NC: Coral Honeysuckle, Passionflower, and What to Grow Instead of Japanese Honeysuckle

Native Vines for NC: Coral Honeysuckle, Passion...

Gabriella de Souza

Five NC native vines that climb readily, bloom reliably, and support pollinators and birds — a practical alternative to Japanese honeysuckle and other invasive climbers.

Native Vines for NC: Coral Honeysuckle, Passion...

Gabriella de Souza

Five NC native vines that climb readily, bloom reliably, and support pollinators and birds — a practical alternative to Japanese honeysuckle and other invasive climbers.

Carnivorous Plants of the NC Coastal Plain: Venus Flytrap, Pitcher Plants, and Sundews

Carnivorous Plants of the NC Coastal Plain: Ven...

Gabriella de Souza

North Carolina's coastal plain supports the world's only wild Venus Flytrap population alongside multiple pitcher plant and sundew species. This guide covers the carnivorous plants native to NC's longleaf pine...

Carnivorous Plants of the NC Coastal Plain: Ven...

Gabriella de Souza

North Carolina's coastal plain supports the world's only wild Venus Flytrap population alongside multiple pitcher plant and sundew species. This guide covers the carnivorous plants native to NC's longleaf pine...

The Lawn Violet You Keep Pulling Is a Butterfly's Only Host Plant

The Lawn Violet You Keep Pulling Is a Butterfly...

Gabriella de Souza

Common Blue Violet is one of the most important native plants in a North Carolina lawn. It's the primary larval host plant for several fritillary butterfly species, and removing it...

The Lawn Violet You Keep Pulling Is a Butterfly...

Gabriella de Souza

Common Blue Violet is one of the most important native plants in a North Carolina lawn. It's the primary larval host plant for several fritillary butterfly species, and removing it...

Plant Adaptations You Can See in NC Native Species

Plant Adaptations You Can See in NC Native Species

Gabriella de Souza

An introduction to fascinating botanical features—carnivory, cauliflory, nitrogen fixation, and more—through six NC native plants you can observe.

Plant Adaptations You Can See in NC Native Species

Gabriella de Souza

An introduction to fascinating botanical features—carnivory, cauliflory, nitrogen fixation, and more—through six NC native plants you can observe.

Zone 8b Planting Guide: Native Plants for Coastal North Carolina

Zone 8b Planting Guide: Native Plants for Coast...

Gabriella de Souza

A practical zone 8b planting guide for coastal North Carolina, featuring native trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials adapted to sandy coastal plain soils and high wildlife value.

Zone 8b Planting Guide: Native Plants for Coast...

Gabriella de Souza

A practical zone 8b planting guide for coastal North Carolina, featuring native trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials adapted to sandy coastal plain soils and high wildlife value.

North Carolina Native Species Enamel Pins and Keychains

North Carolina Native Species Enamel Pins and K...

Gabriella de Souza

Native Species · NC Plants & Wildlife North Carolina Native Species Enamel Pins and Keychains: Made by an Ecologist, Built from the Field The Plant Ecologist  ·  April 2026 North...

North Carolina Native Species Enamel Pins and K...

Gabriella de Souza

Native Species · NC Plants & Wildlife North Carolina Native Species Enamel Pins and Keychains: Made by an Ecologist, Built from the Field The Plant Ecologist  ·  April 2026 North...