Orange County NC Website
Records of rare and protected species in Orange County were compiled from Sather and Hall <br /> (1988), N.C. Natural Heritage Program (pers. comm.), U.S. Fish and Wildlife (pers. comm.), and <br /> N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission (1990), <br /> Three species were identified which are on both the Federal and State Lists as endangered: The <br /> Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), Michaux's Poison Sumac (Rhus michauxii) and <br /> the Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus). <br /> The Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) nests in old-growth pine stands, usually with <br /> very low understory. Michaux's poison sumac (Rhus michauxii), is an upland plant, occurring in <br /> sandy or rocky open woods, often associated with basic soils. According to Sather and Hail <br /> (1988) historical records exist for Michaux's poison sumac for Orange County, but habitats have <br /> been modified or destroyed since their collections. This species is presumed to be extinct In <br /> Orange County. <br /> The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is associated with high wooded habitat at the margin <br /> of large water bodies. <br /> Three species were identified on the Federal List for status review: the Savannah shoremussei <br /> (Toxolasma pullus), the Smooth coneflower (Echinacea laeviqata), and Nestronia (Nestronia <br /> umbellula). <br /> A thriving population of the Savannah shoremussel (Toxolasma pullus) exists in University Lake <br /> This is the only large concentration known to exist in North Carolina. <br /> The Smooth coneflower (Echinacea laeviqata) is a vascular plant found in glades,woodlands and <br /> open areas over mafic rocks in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. <br /> Nestronia (Nestronia umbellula) is parasitic on the roots of oaks and pines and occurs in mature <br /> forests. <br /> One species, Thorey's grayback dragonfly (Tachoptervx thorevi ' s state listed for special <br /> concern. This species requires specific kinds of springs or bogs for breeding ar 2 have only <br /> incompletely known distributions within the Southeast. <br /> 3-7 <br />