Rare and Endangered Plants of New England
Presented by the New England Wild Flower Society Church Exhibition Gallery, Lyman Plant House
July 21, 2008 - October 26, 2008
From the top of Mount Washington to the grasslands of Martha's Vineyard, over 500 of the 3000 plants native to New England are either rare or endangered. The main challenge to these plants' survival is the loss of suitable habitat. The New England landscape has long felt the impact of human activity. This has not only reduced the number of suitable habitats for rare species, but also changed the natural processes that maintain these habitats. To protect rare plants, we must protect the habitats in which they live. The quality of our lives depends on protecting clean water, clean air, and the diversity of plant and animal life for ourselves, our children and future generations.
This exhibition features four different habitats Peatlands (bogs and fens), Sandplain Grasslands, Woodlands, and Alpine and their associated rare and endangered plants.