In a joint effort to expand the knowledge and understanding of the flora and fauna of Polk County, the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) and botanist David Campbell need your help in locating this month’s “Polk County’s Most Wanted-Plant,” the beautiful Pink Thoroughwort (Fleischmannia incarnata).
Pink Thoroughwort is a member of the Aster family of flowering plants and is closely allied to the ‘Joe Pye Weeds’ of the genus Eupatorium. The leaves of Pink Thoroughwort are coarsely toothed and triangular and the stem is pubescent (hairy). Flowers are pink to purple and consist of many small ‘heads’ atop a multi-branched main stem that can reach approximately one meter in height. In our region, the preferred habitats for this species are roadsides, alluvial areas and other open sites that are underlain by rich soils derived from amphibolite, diabase and other mafic rocks.
Pink Thoroughwort is much more abundant to the south and west of NC, but the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program states that Pink Thoroughwort has been recorded from eight counties in North Carolina, with recent records from only five of these, including Polk. Pink Thoroughwort blooms from late September into early November, so now is the time to seek out this western rarity along roads and woodlands in Polk County.
If you think that you have seen this species, or know where it might be located, please contact PAC at 828-859-5060, or e-mail comments, questions, or photos to, landprotection@pacolet.org.
The purpose of this project is to gain a better understanding of the flora and fauna in Polk County and document the species present in the county.
PAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization (land trust) founded in 1989 to protect and conserve natural resources with emphasis on the lands and waterways with scenic, ecological and agricultural significance in the North Pacolet and Green River watersheds (PACs mission). PAC works with area landowners to ensure the long-term protection of their property through voluntary conservation easements (agreements) which enable landowners to maintain ownership of their property, preserving precious natural resources (open lands, forests, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, farmland, stream banks, etc.) and potentially obtain significant federal, state and local tax benefits. PACs vision is a community living and growing in harmony with our natural resources and or goal is to provide a legacy that will endure and be valued by generations to come. PAC works diligently to provide leadership to encourage conservation and provide education programs emphasizing native species appreciation and responsible land use practices to help – save the places you love.

– article submitted
by Pam Torlina