Venus Flytraps in Longleaf Pine Forest, Croatan National Forest, North Carolina - stock photo

A low, wide-angle view reveals a cluster of Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) nestled among pine needles in the understory of a longleaf pine forest in Croatan National Forest. This habitat—defined by open canopies, sandy soils, and frequent fires—supports one of the most unique and localized plant communities in the world. Venus flytraps are endemic to a narrow region in the Carolinas, thriving only in wet, nutrient-poor environments where they supplement their diet by capturing insects with their modified, snapping leaves. These carnivorous plants are highly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, illegal collection, and fire suppression, all of which threaten the specialized fire-dependent ecosystems they require. Active land stewardship and prescribed fire programs are essential to the preservation of both the flytrap and the broader longleaf pine ecosystem, one of the most imperiled in North America.