Optimum survey windows
It is imperative that rare plant surveys be conducted at a time optimum for identification. Some taxa--particularly woody species--can be identified nearly year round. However, many herbaceous species are identifiable only during certain times of the year. The table below shows the optimum survey windows for federally listed taxa in North Carolina.
Table. Federally* listed vascular plant and lichen species in North Carolina and their optimum survey times.
*Hexastylis naniflora was delisted Aug 2025, but is maintained here as a post-delisting monitoring plan is in effect until 2030.
