Carolina birds-in-a-nest, Macbridea caroliniana, is a threatened perennial herb that grows in sulphuric blackwater creek swamps, wet pinelands and in roadside ditches. It receives its common name from its dark pink flowers that resemble baby birds poking their heads out of the nest. These distinguishing flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and skipper butterflies.
It flowers from mid-July to early-September and is also called the Carolina bogmint because it belongs to the mint family.
This imperiled native plant is losing habitat due to the clear cutting of wetlands and the destruction of streamside habitat with bridge and road construction. Its range is throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, but is found in only a few locations.
Carolina birds-in-a-nest has been observed in Georgia in Lowndes, Cook, Berrien, Richmond, Jefferson, McDuffie and Marion county. However, only two populations have been seen in Georgia over the last 35 years. One population is located on private land and the other population is located on a military installation. You can help with the conservation efforts of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia by sponsoring Carolina birds-in-a-nest to help increase numbers and chance of survival.