Swamp pink is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It is native to the Atlantic coastal states from GA to NJ, including NC. The species epithet means "blistered or puckered," and perhaps refers to the texture of the leaves when dried. Swamp Pink was federally listed as a threatened species in 1988 due to the loss of its forested wetland habitat through encroaching development, sedimentation, pollution, and wetland drainage. This plant is currently classified as a Federally and NC Threatened species. The swamp pink is an obligate wetland species, meaning it requires an area that is perennially saturated but not flooded, with the water table at or near the surface and fluctuating only slightly during spring and summer months. It is found naturally in bogs, under shrubs, and in peaty soil. It has thick rhizomes that store energy for the plant. Swamp pink is a beautiful and unique perennial wildflower, one of the first to bloom in the spring with a bubble gum pink flower clusters that appear in early March and last through May. The stalk is topped by a 1"-3" long cluster of 30 to 50 small, fragrant, pink flowers dotted with pale blue anthers. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 4 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Basal rosette of flat, lanceolate or spatulate, evergreen leaves; broadest above the middle reaching up to 10" long New leaves are light green mature leaves are dark green. In the fall the leaves take on a red-brown-purple color.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Pink
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
A tight cone of bright pink flowers with blue anthers borne on a tall (up to 4 1/2 feet) hollow stem; scale-like bracts toward the base. Fragrant flowers bloom March-May. A small button appears in the center of the plant in the fall. That is the following spring's flower.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Fruits are available June-July. The mature brown capsules open by dehiscence and release winged seeds.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
United States
Distribution
Atlantic Coast states from New Jersey to Georgia, particularly New Jersey Pine Barrens
Wildlife value
Flowers attract many pollinators including butterflies, bumblebees, and sweat bees.