The Smooth Coneflower, Echinacea laevigata, is an endangered plant now only found in two counties in Georgia (Stephens and Habersham) and in scattered locations in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. It is a prairie plant and has a smooth stem and drooping pink petals. This plant had much of its habitat destroyed when areas were converted to pine plantations. The young plants, which need a sunny habitat to thrive, are not strong competitors and are easily overwhelmed by aggressive plants.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia Mimsie Lanier Center for Native Plant Studies is working with this plant and has reintroduced it into new Georgia sites to preserve and grow the population. Find out more about what is happening at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia to Preserve Georgia’s Imperiled Native Species and how you can help.