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Native plants · North Carolina

Native plants of Cumberland County

606 plant species are recorded as native to North Carolina in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in Cumberland County by USDA PLANTS. 262 of them have growing records you can filter by light, moisture, height and estimated cold hardiness. 3 more species are listed as both native and introduced and kept in a separate section.

County summary · USDA PLANTS and Kew WCVP

Cumberland County, North Carolina

Native species
606 Typical North Carolina county: 498 (median of 100 counties)
Garden-ready natives
262 Typical North Carolina county: 208
Share by type (all 606 native species)
Percent of the 606 native species in each growth type
Tree 15% (89)
Shrub 7% (44)
Wildflower (forb) 48% (293)
Grass or grass-like 23% (141)
Vine 5% (30)
Fern 1% (9)

Wildflowers make up the largest share of the native list (48%), followed by grasses and grass-like plants (23%).

Recorded native ranges can include long-established populations that spread from gardens; check your state’s native plant society list for local guidance. How native status is decided.

ZIP codes mainly in this county fall in USDA hardiness zones 8a to 8b (2023 map).

The native plant list

Cold hardiness is estimated from each plant’s PLANTS minimum temperature. How we estimate it.

Garden-ready natives 262

Native species with PLANTS growing records (height, light, moisture, minimum temperature). “—” means PLANTS has no value.

Garden-ready native plants of Cumberland County, North Carolina
PlantType HeightLight Water useHardy to
American basswood Tilia americana Tree 100 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
American beautyberry Callicarpa americana Shrub 6 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 6b
American beech Fagus grandifolia Tree 80 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
American bur-reed Sparganium americanum Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
American chestnut Castanea dentata Tree 115 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
American eelgrass Vallisneria americana Wildflower (forb) 1 ft Sun High Zone 4a
American elm Ulmus americana Tree 120 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 2b
American holly Ilex opaca Tree 40 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
American hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana Tree 30 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
American pokeweed Phytolacca americana Wildflower (forb) 7.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
American snowbell Styrax americanus Tree 10 ft Sun–part shade — Zone 5b
American water-willow Justicia americana Wildflower (forb) 2.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
American wisteria Wisteria frutescens Vine 50 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
American witchhazel Hamamelis virginiana Tree 20 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
Appalachian blazing star Liatris squarrulosa Wildflower (forb) 2.5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 7a
arrowleaf tearthumb Polygonum sagittatum Vine 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 6a
Atlantic mannagrass Glyceria obtusa Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 6b
Atlantic white cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides Tree 50 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 3b
bearded beggarticks Bidens aristosa Wildflower (forb) 3.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 12b
bedstraw St. Johnswort Hypericum galioides Shrub 2.5 ft Sun High Zone 7a
big bluestem Andropogon gerardii Grass or grass-like 6 ft Sun Low Zone 2b
bitternut hickory Carya cordiformis Tree 75 ft Sun Medium Zone 2b
black cherry Prunus serotina Tree 80 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
black oak Quercus velutina Tree 80 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
black walnut Juglans nigra Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 4b
black willow Salix nigra Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 1b
blackgum Nyssa sylvatica Tree 95 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5b
blackjack oak Quercus marilandica Tree 25 ft Sun Low Zone 6a
blue huckleberry Gaylussacia frondosa Shrub 6 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5a
blue mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
blunt broom sedge Carex tribuloides Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
blunt spikerush Eleocharis obtusa Grass or grass-like 1.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 11a
bluntleaf bedstraw Galium obtusum Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
bog rush Juncus biflorus Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5b
boxelder Acer negundo Tree 60 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
bristly dewberry Rubus hispidus Shrub 2 ft Sun High Zone 3b
broadleaf arrowhead Sagittaria latifolia Wildflower (forb) 4.9 ft Sun High Zone 4a
broadleaf cattail Typha latifolia Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
broomsedge bluestem Andropogon virginicus Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 5b
bursting-heart Euonymus americanus Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 5a
bushy St. Johnswort Hypericum densiflorum Shrub 6.6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 8a
butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun Low Zone 4a
calico aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum Wildflower (forb) 4 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
Canadian horseweed Conyza canadensis Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun Medium Zone 12b
Canadian rush Juncus canadensis Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
Carolina ash Fraxinus caroliniana Tree 39 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 7b
Carolina elephantsfoot Elephantopus carolinianus Wildflower (forb) 2.7 ft Sun Medium Zone 6a
Carolina foxtail Alopecurus carolinianus Grass or grass-like 1.7 ft Sun Low Zone 3a
Carolina redroot Lachnanthes caroliana Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 8b
cat greenbrier Smilax glauca Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
cattail sedge Carex typhina Grass or grass-like 2 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4b
chestnut oak Quercus montana Tree 73 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
Chickasaw plum Prunus angustifolia Tree 12 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
cinnamon fern Osmunda cinnamomea Fern 4.9 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
climbing hempvine Mikania scandens Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
coastal doghobble Leucothoe axillaris Shrub 6.5 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 7b
coastal plain willow Salix caroliniana Tree 33 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 7b
coastal serviceberry Amelanchier obovalis Shrub 10 ft Sun Medium Zone 5a
coastal sweetpepperbush Clethra alnifolia Shrub 16 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 5a
common blue violet Viola sororia Wildflower (forb) 4 in Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
common buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis Tree 15 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
common evening primrose Oenothera biennis Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
common goldstar Hypoxis hirsuta Wildflower (forb) 10 in Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
common hoptree Ptelea trifoliata Tree 25 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
common persimmon Diospyros virginiana Tree 55 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
common rush Juncus effusus Grass or grass-like 6.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
common selfheal Prunella vulgaris Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
common serviceberry Amelanchier arborea Tree 36 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
common sweetleaf Symplocos tinctoria Tree 20 ft Shade-tolerant — Zone 5a
coppery St. Johnswort Hypericum denticulatum Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 7b
coral greenbrier Smilax walteri Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 6b
crimsoneyed rosemallow Hibiscus moscheutos Wildflower (forb) 6.6 ft Sun High Zone 6a
cucumberleaf sunflower Helianthus debilis Wildflower (forb) 6 in Sun Medium Zone 9b
cypress swamp sedge Carex joorii Grass or grass-like 4.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 7a
deerberry Vaccinium stamineum Shrub 16 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5a
dense blazing star Liatris spicata Wildflower (forb) 4.5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5b
devil's beggartick Bidens frondosa Wildflower (forb) 4 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 12a
dotted smartweed Polygonum punctatum Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 10b
downy yellow violet Viola pubescens Wildflower (forb) 1.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
dwarf azalea Rhododendron atlanticum Shrub 2.3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
dwarf huckleberry Gaylussacia dumosa Shrub 1.4 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5a
dwarf St. Johnswort Hypericum mutilum Wildflower (forb) 2.6 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5a
dwarf witchalder Fothergilla gardenii Shrub 4 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 6b
eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides Tree 190 ft Sun High Zone 3a
eastern narrowleaf sedge Carex amphibola Grass or grass-like 2 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
eastern teaberry Gaultheria procumbens Shrub 6 in Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
eastern woodland sedge Carex blanda Grass or grass-like 2 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4b
fall panicgrass Panicum dichotomiflorum Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Sun High Zone 3a
false daisy Eclipta prostrata Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 10b
farkleberry Vaccinium arboreum Tree 28 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
fetterbush lyonia Lyonia lucida Shrub 6.6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7b
field paspalum Paspalum laeve Grass or grass-like 2.9 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6a
flowering dogwood Cornus florida Tree 30 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4b
fox sedge Carex vulpinoidea Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
fringed sedge Carex crinita Grass or grass-like 5.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
giant cane Arundinaria gigantea Shrub 25 ft Sun Medium Zone 5a
giant goldenrod Solidago gigantea Wildflower (forb) 8.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
golden tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 12b
gray goldenrod Solidago nemoralis Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
Gray's sedge Carex grayi Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
greater bladder sedge Carex intumescens Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
green arrow arum Peltandra virginica Wildflower (forb) 2.3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 5a
green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Tree 80 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
groundnut Apios americana Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
Gulf Sebastian-bush Ditrysinia fruticosa Shrub 12 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5b
hairawn muhly Muhlenbergia capillaris Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun High Zone 8a
hairy chaffhead Carphephorus paniculatus Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 8a
hairy lespedeza Lespedeza hirta Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun Low Zone 6a
hairy white oldfield aster Symphyotrichum pilosum Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
halberdleaf rosemallow Hibiscus laevis Wildflower (forb) 8 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 6a
hazel alder Alnus serrulata Tree 30 ft Sun High Zone 5a
highbush blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum Shrub 12 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
honeycup Zenobia pulverulenta Shrub 6 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 7b
hop sedge Carex lupulina Grass or grass-like 4.3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana Tree 45 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 3b
horseflyweed Baptisia tinctoria Wildflower (forb) 2.5 ft Sun Low Zone 7b
Indian woodoats Chasmanthium latifolium Grass or grass-like 4.6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans Grass or grass-like 6 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
Indianhemp Apocynum cannabinum Wildflower (forb) 3.3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3a
inkberry Ilex glabra Shrub 8 ft Sun High Zone 6a
Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus Wildflower (forb) 9.8 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 3a
lanceleaf tickseed Coreopsis lanceolata Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun Medium Zone 6b
large gallberry Ilex coriacea Tree 12 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
laurel greenbrier Smilax laurifolia Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 6b
laurel oak Quercus laurifolia Tree 70 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata Shrub 4 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
lesser creeping rush Juncus repens Grass or grass-like 6.8 ft Sun High Zone 8b
little barley Hordeum pusillum Grass or grass-like 1.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 10b
little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Low Zone 3b
littleleaf buttercup Ranunculus abortivus Wildflower (forb) 2.8 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
loblolly bay Gordonia lasianthus Tree 65 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 7a
loblolly pine Pinus taeda Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 6b
longleaf pine Pinus palustris Tree 120 ft Sun Medium Zone 7a
maleberry Lyonia ligustrina Shrub 9 ft Shade-tolerant — Zone 5a
manyspike flatsedge Cyperus polystachyos Grass or grass-like 1.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 12a
marsh flatsedge Cyperus pseudovegetus Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Sun High Zone 8a
marsh seedbox Ludwigia palustris Wildflower (forb) 2 in Sun High Zone 4a
mockernut hickory Carya tomentosa Tree 85 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia Tree 6 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5a
muscadine Vitis rotundifolia Vine 30 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5b
narrowleaf evening primrose Oenothera fruticosa Wildflower (forb) 3.3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
narrowleaf silkgrass Pityopsis graminifolia Wildflower (forb) 2.8 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 7a
necklace sedge Carex projecta Grass or grass-like 2 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
needleleaf rosette grass Dichanthelium aciculare Grass or grass-like 1.6 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 7b
needlepod rush Juncus scirpoides Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 7a
New Jersey tea Ceanothus americanus Shrub 3 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4b
New York aster Symphyotrichum novi-belgii Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun High Zone 4a
New York ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis Wildflower (forb) 6.6 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
nimblewill Muhlenbergia schreberi Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
nodding fescue Festuca subverticillata Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3a
Nuttall's reedgrass Calamagrostis coarctata Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
orangegrass Hypericum gentianoides Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 12a
painted buckeye Aesculus sylvatica Tree 65 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 8a
panicledleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium paniculatum Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 6a
parsley hawthorn Crataegus marshallii Tree 25 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciculata Wildflower (forb) 2.4 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
pawpaw Asimina triloba Tree 25 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
peelbark St. Johnswort Hypericum fasciculatum Shrub 5 ft Sun — Zone 7b
Pennsylvania smartweed Polygonum pensylvanicum Wildflower (forb) 3.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 10b
peppervine Nekemias arborea Vine 1 in Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
pickerelweed Pontederia cordata Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun High Zone 5a
pine barren goldenrod Solidago fistulosa Wildflower (forb) 6.6 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
pineland threeawn Aristida stricta Grass or grass-like 3.9 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 8a
pink azalea Rhododendron periclymenoides Shrub 10 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5b
pond cypress Taxodium ascendens Tree 100 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 8a
poorland flatsedge Cyperus compressus Grass or grass-like 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 11a
possumhaw Viburnum nudum Tree 15 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
possumhaw Ilex decidua Tree 33 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5b
post oak Quercus stellata Tree 60 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
prairie fleabane Erigeron strigosus Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
prairie wedgescale Sphenopholis obtusata Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3a
prickly bog sedge Carex atlantica Grass or grass-like 1.8 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 5b
purple lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis Grass or grass-like 11 in Sun Low Zone 3a
purpletop tridens Tridens flavus Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Sun Low Zone 5a
red buckeye Aesculus pavia Tree 25 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5a
red chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia Shrub 5 ft Sun High Zone 5b
red maple Acer rubrum Tree 68 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 2b
redbay Persea borbonia Tree 70 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
redtop panicgrass Panicum rigidulum Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Sun High Zone 4a
rice cutgrass Leersia oryzoides Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun High Zone 4a
ridged yellow flax Linum striatum Wildflower (forb) 2.6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
river birch Betula nigra Tree 70 ft Sun High Zone 4a
roundleaf greenbrier Smilax rotundifolia Vine 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
sand blackberry Rubus cuneifolius Shrub 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6a
sassafras Sassafras albidum Tree 75 ft Sun Low Zone 4b
sawtooth blackberry Rubus argutus Shrub 8.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 6a
shaggy blazing star Liatris pilosa Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun Low Zone 8a
shallow sedge Carex lurida Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
sharpwing monkeyflower Mimulus alatus Wildflower (forb) 2.3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5a
shortbeard plumegrass Saccharum brevibarbe Grass or grass-like 6.5 ft Sun Medium Zone 6b
shortleaf pine Pinus echinata Tree 100 ft Sun Medium Zone 5b
Shumard's oak Quercus shumardii Tree 100 ft Sun Medium Zone 5a
slender woodoats Chasmanthium laxum Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
smallspike false nettle Boehmeria cylindrica Wildflower (forb) 3.9 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
smooth azalea Rhododendron arborescens Shrub 18 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
smooth sumac Rhus glabra Tree 12 ft Sun Low Zone 4a
sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum Tree 35 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 6a
southern arrowwood Viburnum recognitum Tree 9 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
southern bayberry Morella caroliniensis Tree 7 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora Tree 100 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
southern red oak Quercus falcata Tree 75 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6a
southern sugar maple Acer floridanum Tree 50 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5b
southern waxy sedge Carex glaucescens Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 6a
Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides Vine — Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 9b
splitbeard bluestem Andropogon ternarius Grass or grass-like 3.9 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5b
St. Peterswort Hypericum crux-andreae Shrub 2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6b
stiff marsh bedstraw Galium tinctorium Wildflower (forb) 10 in Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
sugarberry Celtis laevigata Tree 80 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5a
sugarcane plumegrass Saccharum giganteum Grass or grass-like 9.8 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
summer grape Vitis aestivalis Vine 30 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
swamp azalea Rhododendron viscosum Shrub 16 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5b
swamp chestnut oak Quercus michauxii Tree 80 ft Sun Medium Zone 5a
swamp cottonwood Populus heterophylla Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 5a
swamp doghobble Eubotrys racemosus Shrub 13 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
swamp smartweed Polygonum hydropiperoides Wildflower (forb) — Sun Medium Zone 10b
swamp sunflower Helianthus angustifolius Wildflower (forb) 5.6 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
swamp titi Cyrilla racemiflora Tree 30 ft Shade-tolerant — Zone 6b
swamp tupelo Nyssa biflora Tree 115 ft Sun High Zone 5b
sweet fern Comptonia peregrina Shrub 2 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 3b
sweetbay Magnolia virginiana Tree 60 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 9a
sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 5a
switchgrass Panicum virgatum Grass or grass-like 5 ft Sun Medium Zone 3a
tapertip rush Juncus acuminatus Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
tawny cottongrass Eriophorum virginicum Grass or grass-like 3.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
tenangle pipewort Eriocaulon decangulare Wildflower (forb) 2.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 6b
thicket sedge Carex abscondita Grass or grass-like 8 in Shade-tolerant High Zone 7a
thinfruit sedge Carex flaccosperma Grass or grass-like 1 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 6b
three-way sedge Dulichium arundinaceum Grass or grass-like 2.6 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
toad rush Juncus bufonius Grass or grass-like 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 12a
trumpet creeper Campsis radicans Vine 2 ft Sun Low Zone 6a
trumpet honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens Vine 16 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera Tree 120 ft Sun Medium Zone 5b
turkey oak Quercus laevis Tree 40 ft Sun Medium Zone 7a
twoheaded water-starwort Callitriche heterophylla Wildflower (forb) — Sun High Zone 4a
umbrella-tree Magnolia tripetala Tree 30 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
upland bentgrass Agrostis perennans Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
variable panicgrass Dichanthelium commutatum Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 4b
velvet panicum Dichanthelium scoparium Grass or grass-like 4.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
Virginia dayflower Commelina virginica Wildflower (forb) 3.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5b
Virginia iris Iris virginica Wildflower (forb) 3.3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8b
Virginia sweetspire Itea virginica Shrub 10 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5a
Virginia water horehound Lycopus virginicus Wildflower (forb) 4 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
Virginia wildrye Elymus virginicus Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
Washington hawthorn Crataegus phaenopyrum Tree 30 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
water hickory Carya aquatica Tree 85 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5b
water oak Quercus nigra Tree 90 ft Sun High Zone 5a
waterthread pondweed Potamogeton diversifolius Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun High Zone 3b
wax myrtle Morella cerifera Tree 10 ft Sun High Zone 7a
white ash Fraxinus americana Tree 90 ft Sun High Zone 4a
white edge sedge Carex debilis Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 6a
white fringetree Chionanthus virginicus Tree 25 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
white oak Quercus alba Tree 100 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3a
willow oak Quercus phellos Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 5a
winged sumac Rhus copallinum Tree 8 ft Sun Low Zone 4b
wingleaf primrose-willow Ludwigia decurrens Wildflower (forb) 4.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
winter bentgrass Agrostis hyemalis Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
woolgrass Scirpus cyperinus Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
woolly rosette grass Dichanthelium scabriusculum Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 7a
wreath goldenrod Solidago caesia Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
wrinkled jointtail grass Coelorachis rugosa Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6b
wrinkleleaf goldenrod Solidago rugosa Wildflower (forb) 3.3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
yellow passionflower Passiflora lutea Vine 16 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5a

Other native species recorded here 344

PLANTS has no growing records for these, so light, moisture, height and zone filters cannot include them. Many are wild species seldom sold by nurseries.

  • American bladdernut Staphylea trifolia
  • American bluehearts Buchnera americana
  • American burnweed Erechtites hieraciifolius
  • American climbing fern Lygodium palmatum
  • American white waterlily Nymphaea odorata
  • American wild carrot Daucus pusillus
  • angularfruit milkvine Matelea gonocarpos
  • anisescented goldenrod Solidago odora
  • annual phlox Phlox drummondii
  • arrowfeather threeawn Aristida purpurascens
  • arrowleaf violet Viola sagittata
  • ashy sunflower Helianthus mollis
  • Atlantic goldenrod Solidago arguta
  • Atlantic pigeonwings Clitoria mariana
  • Atlantic poison oak Toxicodendron pubescens
  • bastard toadflax Comandra umbellata
  • beaked cornsalad Valerianella radiata
  • beaked panicgrass Panicum anceps
  • bearded skeletongrass Gymnopogon ambiguus
  • beechdrops Epifagus virginiana
  • bigtop lovegrass Eragrostis hirsuta
  • birdfoot violet Viola pedata
  • black highbush blueberry Vaccinium fuscatum
  • blackseed plantain Plantago rugelii
  • blackseed speargrass Piptochaetium avenaceum
  • blisterwort Ranunculus recurvatus
  • bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
  • bog yelloweyed grass Xyris difformis
  • branched foldwing Dicliptera brachiata
  • bristly locust Robinia hispida
  • bunched beaksedge Rhynchospora cephalantha
  • button sedge Carex bullata
  • Canada lettuce Lactuca canadensis
  • Canada toadflax Nuttallanthus canadensis
  • Canadian blacksnakeroot Sanicula canadensis
  • Canadian honewort Cryptotaenia canadensis
  • Canadian woodnettle Laportea canadensis
  • cankerweed Prenanthes serpentaria
  • Carolina desert-chicory Pyrrhopappus carolinianus
  • Carolina geranium Geranium carolinianum
  • Carolina horsenettle Solanum carolinense
  • Carolina lily Lilium michauxii
  • cheerful sunflower Helianthus ×laetiflorus
  • chinquapin Castanea pumila
  • Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
  • churchmouse threeawn Aristida dichotoma
  • clammy groundcherry Physalis heterophylla
  • clasping milkweed Asclepias amplexicaulis
  • clasping Venus' looking-glass Triodanis perfoliata
  • clasping water horehound Lycopus amplectens
  • climbing dogbane Trachelospermum difforme
  • clustered fescue Festuca paradoxa
  • coastal lovegrass Eragrostis refracta
  • coastal plain blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium fuscatum
  • coastal plain joe pye weed Eutrochium dubium
  • Collins' sedge Carex collinsii
  • combleaf mermaidweed Proserpinaca pectinata
  • combleaf yellow false foxglove Aureolaria pectinata
  • common cinquefoil Potentilla simplex
  • compact dodder Cuscuta compacta
  • cone-cup spikerush Eleocharis tuberculosa
  • cornel-leaf whitetop Doellingeria infirma
  • cottonbatting plant Pseudognaphalium stramineum
  • creeping lespedeza Lespedeza repens
  • crested yellow orchid Platanthera cristata
  • crippled cranefly Tipularia discolor
  • crossvine Bignonia capreolata
  • cutleaf evening primrose Oenothera laciniata
  • cylindricfruit primrose-willow Ludwigia glandulosa
  • cypress panicgrass Dichanthelium dichotomum
  • darkgreen sedge Carex venusta
  • densetuft hairsedge Bulbostylis capillaris
  • devil's grandmother Elephantopus tomentosus
  • dogfennel Eupatorium capillifolium
  • downy danthonia Danthonia sericea
  • downy goldenrod Solidago puberula
  • downy lobelia Lobelia puberula
  • downy phlox Phlox pilosa
  • downy yellow false foxglove Aureolaria virginica
  • drumheads Polygala cruciata
  • dwarf cinquefoil Potentilla canadensis
  • dwarf hawthorn Crataegus uniflora
  • dwarf violet iris Iris verna
  • eastern blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium atlanticum
  • eastern milkpea Galactia regularis
  • eastern poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans
  • eastern silver aster Symphyotrichum concolor
  • eastern smooth beardtongue Penstemon laevigatus
  • eastern sweetshrub Calycanthus floridus
  • ebony spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron
  • Elliott's bluestem Andropogon gyrans
  • Elliott's goldenrod Solidago latissimifolia
  • fall witchgrass Digitaria cognata
  • false aloe Manfreda virginica
  • false boneset Brickellia eupatorioides
  • false flowering spurge Euphorbia pubentissima
  • fan clubmoss Lycopodium digitatum
  • feathery false lily of the valley Maianthemum racemosum
  • fernleaf yellow false foxglove Aureolaria pedicularia
  • fescue sedge Carex festucacea
  • fewflower beaksedge Rhynchospora rariflora
  • fiveangled dodder Cuscuta pentagona
  • Florida mudmidget Wolffiella gladiata
  • Florida paspalum Paspalum floridanum
  • Florida yellow flax Linum floridanum
  • flowering spurge Euphorbia corollata
  • forked bluecurls Trichostema dichotomum
  • foxtail clubmoss Lycopodiella alopecuroides
  • fragrant bedstraw Galium triflorum
  • fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica
  • fringed nutrush Scleria ciliata
  • giant sedge Carex gigantea
  • globe flatsedge Cyperus echinatus
  • goldenclub Orontium aquaticum
  • grassleaf lettuce Lactuca graminifolia
  • Gray's flatsedge Cyperus grayi
  • Great Plains flatsedge Cyperus lupulinus
  • greater tickseed Coreopsis major
  • green adder's-mouth orchid Malaxis unifolia
  • green and gold Chrysogonum virginianum
  • green carpetweed Mollugo verticillata
  • green dragon Arisaema dracontium
  • greenvein lady's tresses Spiranthes praecox
  • hairy angelica Angelica venenosa
  • hairy bedstraw Galium pilosum
  • hairy pinweed Lechea mucronata
  • hairy skullcap Scutellaria elliptica
  • hairy small-leaf ticktrefoil Desmodium ciliare
  • hairy umbrella-sedge Fuirena squarrosa
  • hairyfruit chervil Chaerophyllum tainturieri
  • hairyjoint meadowparsnip Thaspium barbinode
  • handsome Harry Rhexia virginica
  • Harvey's beaksedge Rhynchospora harveyi
  • heartleaf foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
  • heartwing sorrel Rumex hastatulus
  • Heller's rosette grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes
  • hemlock rosette grass Dichanthelium sabulorum
  • herbwilliam Ptilimnium capillaceum
  • hirsute sedge Carex complanata
  • humped bladderwort Utricularia gibba
  • hyssopleaf thoroughwort Eupatorium hyssopifolium
  • Illinois pinweed Lechea racemulosa
  • Indian cucumber Medeola virginiana
  • jumpseed Polygonum virginianum
  • juniper leaf Polypremum procumbens
  • justiceweed Eupatorium leucolepis
  • kiss me quick Portulaca pilosa
  • lanceleaf blanketflower Gaillardia aestivalis
  • large whorled pogonia Isotria verticillata
  • largebracted plantain Plantago aristata
  • lateflowering thoroughwort Eupatorium serotinum
  • leathery rush Juncus coriaceus
  • Leggett's pinweed Lechea pulchella
  • lesser Canadian St. Johnswort Hypericum canadense
  • lesser snakeroot Ageratina aromatica
  • little floatingheart Nymphoides cordata
  • littlehead nutrush Scleria oligantha
  • lizard's tail Saururus cernuus
  • longbranch frostweed Helianthemum canadense
  • longleaf milkweed Asclepias longifolia
  • longleaf summer bluet Houstonia longifolia
  • longstyle sweetroot Osmorhiza longistylis
  • loosehead beaksedge Rhynchospora chalarocephala
  • Louisiana sedge Carex louisianica
  • lowland rotala Rotala ramosior
  • maidencane Panicum hemitomon
  • man of the earth Ipomoea pandurata
  • manyflower marshpennywort Hydrocotyle umbellata
  • marsh bristlegrass Setaria parviflora
  • marsh fimbry Fimbristylis castanea
  • Maryland goldenaster Chrysopsis mariana
  • Maryland meadowbeauty Rhexia mariana
  • Maryland milkwort Polygala mariana
  • mat sandbur Cenchrus longispinus
  • minute duckweed Lemna perpusilla
  • mountain holly Ilex montana
  • mountain silverbell Halesia tetraptera
  • Muhlenberg's sedge Carex muehlenbergii
  • narrow plumegrass Saccharum baldwinii
  • narrowleaf lespedeza Lespedeza angustifolia
  • narrowleaf primrose-willow Ludwigia linearis
  • narrowleaf whitetop aster Sericocarpus linifolius
  • neckweed Veronica peregrina
  • netted chainfern Woodwardia areolata
  • nodding beaksedge Rhynchospora inexpansa
  • northern dewberry Rubus flagellaris
  • Nuttall's lobelia Lobelia nuttallii
  • Nuttall's milkwort Polygala nuttallii
  • Nuttall's ticktrefoil Desmodium nuttallii
  • oak mistletoe Phoradendron leucarpum
  • oneflowered broomrape Orobanche uniflora
  • openflower rosette grass Dichanthelium laxiflorum
  • orange coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida
  • Parlin's pussytoes Antennaria parlinii
  • partridgeberry Mitchella repens
  • Pennsylvania everlasting Gamochaeta pensylvanica
  • piedmont staggerbush Lyonia mariana
  • pine barren flatsedge Cyperus retrorsus
  • pinesap Monotropa hypopitys
  • pineywoods dropseed Sporobolus junceus
  • pink sundew Drosera capillaris
  • plains snakecotton Froelichia floridana
  • Plukenet's flatsedge Cyperus plukenetii
  • poorjoe Diodia teres
  • poverty oatgrass Danthonia spicata
  • prairie sunflower Helianthus petiolaris
  • prairie threeawn Aristida oligantha
  • procession flower Polygala incarnata
  • purple false foxglove Agalinis purpurea
  • purple passionflower Passiflora incarnata
  • purple pitcherplant Sarracenia purpurea
  • purple sandgrass Triplasis purpurea
  • queen's-delight Stillingia sylvatica
  • queendevil Hieracium gronovii
  • rabbit-tobacco Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
  • Ravenel's rosette grass Dichanthelium ravenelii
  • redring milkweed Asclepias variegata
  • rice button aster Symphyotrichum dumosum
  • rigid sedge Carex tetanica
  • rosepink Sabatia angularis
  • rough boneset Eupatorium pilosum
  • rough dropseed Sporobolus clandestinus
  • roughfruit scaleseed Spermolepis divaricata
  • roundleaf sundew Drosera rotundifolia
  • roundleaf thoroughwort Eupatorium rotundifolium
  • roundseed panicgrass Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon
  • running serviceberry Amelanchier stolonifera
  • rusty blackhaw Viburnum rufidulum
  • Sampson's snakeroot Orbexilum pedunculatum
  • sand hickory Carya pallida
  • scaly blazing star Liatris squarrosa
  • seedbox Ludwigia alternifolia
  • sensitive partridge pea Chamaecrista nictitans
  • shaggy hedgehyssop Gratiola pilosa
  • sharpscale sedge Carex oxylepis
  • shiny wedgescale Sphenopholis nitida
  • Short's hedgehyssop Gratiola viscidula
  • shortleaf skeletongrass Gymnopogon brevifolius
  • shortpod draba Draba brachycarpa
  • showy goldenrod Solidago erecta
  • sidebeak pencilflower Stylosanthes biflora
  • sixweeks fescue Vulpia octoflora
  • sleepy silene Silene antirrhina
  • slender fimbry Fimbristylis autumnalis
  • slender goldentop Euthamia caroliniana
  • slender Indiangrass Sorghastrum elliottii
  • slender lespedeza Lespedeza virginica
  • slender plantain Plantago heterophylla
  • slender rose gentian Sabatia campanulata
  • slender threeseed mercury Acalypha gracilens
  • slender yellow woodsorrel Oxalis dillenii
  • slimpod rush Juncus diffusissimus
  • Small's ragwort Packera anonyma
  • smallflower thoroughwort Eupatorium semiserratum
  • smallfruit agrimony Agrimonia microcarpa
  • smallfruit spikerush Eleocharis microcarpa
  • smooth elephantsfoot Elephantopus nudatus
  • smooth Solomon's seal Polygonatum biflorum
  • smooth ticktrefoil Desmodium laevigatum
  • smooth winterberry Ilex laevigata
  • smooth yellow false foxglove Aureolaria flava
  • smoothsheath sedge Carex laevivaginata
  • sneezeweed Helenium amarum
  • southeastern wildrye Elymus glabriflorus
  • southern crab apple Malus angustifolia
  • Spanish needles Bidens bipinnata
  • sparselobe grapefern Botrychium biternatum
  • spindleroot Ludwigia hirtella
  • spoonleaf purple everlasting Gamochaeta purpurea
  • spoonleaf sundew Drosera intermedia
  • spotted water hemlock Cicuta maculata
  • spreading sedge Carex laxiculmis
  • spurred butterfly pea Centrosema virginianum
  • squirreltail fescue Vulpia elliotea
  • St. Andrew's cross Hypericum hypericoides
  • standing-cypress Ipomopsis rubra
  • star chickweed Stellaria pubera
  • sticky catchfly Silene caroliniana
  • stinking camphorweed Pluchea foetida
  • striped bladderwort Utricularia striata
  • striped gentian Gentiana villosa
  • sundial lupine Lupinus perennis
  • swamp leather flower Clematis crispa
  • swaying bulrush Schoenoplectus subterminalis
  • swollen bladderwort Utricularia inflata
  • tall horned beaksedge Rhynchospora macrostachya
  • tall lespedeza Lespedeza stuevei
  • tall rattlesnakeroot Prenanthes altissima
  • thicket bean Phaseolus polystachios
  • thin paspalum Paspalum setaceum
  • threadleaf false foxglove Agalinis setacea
  • three-lobe violet Viola triloba
  • thymeleaf pinweed Lechea minor
  • toothed whitetop aster Sericocarpus asteroides
  • trailing arbutus Epigaea repens
  • trailing lespedeza Lespedeza procumbens
  • trailing pearlwort Sagina decumbens
  • tuberous grasspink Calopogon tuberosus
  • twining snoutbean Rhynchosia tomentosa
  • twoflower melicgrass Melica mutica
  • twoleaf watermilfoil Myriophyllum heterophyllum
  • Venus' pride Houstonia purpurea
  • Viola ×primulifolia Viola ×primulifolia
  • violet lespedeza Lespedeza violacea
  • Virginia buttonweed Diodia virginiana
  • Virginia chainfern Woodwardia virginica
  • Virginia dwarfdandelion Krigia virginica
  • Virginia groundcherry Physalis virginiana
  • Virginia marsh St. Johnswort Triadenum virginicum
  • Virginia pennywort Obolaria virginica
  • Virginia pepperweed Lepidium virginicum
  • Virginia plantain Plantago virginica
  • Virginia snakeroot Aristolochia serpentaria
  • Virginia tephrosia Tephrosia virginiana
  • Virginia winged rockcress Sibara virginica
  • warty panicgrass Panicum verrucosum
  • watershield Brasenia schreberi
  • wavyleaf aster Symphyotrichum undulatum
  • weak rush Juncus debilis
  • weak stellate sedge Carex seorsa
  • whip nutrush Scleria triglomerata
  • white blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium albidum
  • white colicroot Aletris farinosa
  • white fringed orchid Platanthera blephariglottis
  • white goldenrod Solidago bicolor
  • white thoroughwort Eupatorium album
  • white wood aster Eurybia divaricata
  • whitehair rosette grass Dichanthelium villosissimum
  • whitemouth dayflower Commelina erecta
  • whitestar Ipomoea lacunosa
  • whitetinge sedge Carex albicans
  • whorled tickseed Coreopsis verticillata
  • whorled yellow loosestrife Lysimachia quadrifolia
  • wild hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens
  • wild Job's tears Onosmodium virginianum
  • wild quinine Parthenium integrifolium
  • woodland sunflower Helianthus divaricatus
  • yankeeweed Eupatorium compositifolium
  • yellow fringed orchid Platanthera ciliaris
  • yellow spikerush Eleocharis flavescens
  • yellow thistle Cirsium horridulum
  • yellowfruit sedge Carex annectens
  • yellowroot Xanthorhiza simplicissima
  • zigzag bladderwort Utricularia subulata
Also listed as native and introduced here 3

PLANTS labels these species both native and introduced in this state: some forms are native and others were brought in from elsewhere. Most gardeners should choose plants from the main list.

  • annual ragweedAmbrosia artemisiifolia
  • Mexican teaDysphania ambrosioides
  • switchcaneArundinaria tecta

Compared with North Carolina

The typical county is the median of the 100 North Carolina counties with PLANTS county records; the statewide figure counts every species native anywhere in the state. More species is not better or worse: counties differ in size, habitat and how thoroughly they have been surveyed.

Native species counts, Cumberland County and North Carolina
MeasureCumberland CountyTypical countyStatewide
Native species 606 498 1,920
Garden-ready natives 262 208 654
Tree 89 — 198
Shrub 44 — 107
Wildflower (forb) 293 — 996
Grass or grass-like 141 — 453
Vine 30 — 80
Fern 9 — 86

Neighboring counties

Counties that share a ZIP code with Cumberland County.

Look up another ZIP

Matches your ZIP to the county it mostly lies in, then lists the plants recorded as native to your state (Kew’s World Checklist and USDA PLANTS) and recorded in that county by USDA PLANTS.

Source & data date

Source
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database: county distribution records, native status and plant characteristics. CC0 (public domain dedication, per the data.gov catalog record).
Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): native or introduced status by state. CC BY 3.0.
USGS US-RIIS (ver. 2.0): species listed as introduced are excluded. CC0.
Citation
USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov, 11/04/2026). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
Govaerts R. (ed.) (2026). WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Data file dated 2026-06-04, http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ (retrieved 2026-11-04). Paper: Govaerts R. et al. (2021) The World Checklist of Vascular Plants, a continuously updated resource for exploring global plant diversity. Scientific Data 8, 215.
Data date
Retrieved from PLANTS on November 4, 2026; WCVP data file dated June 4, 2026.
Zones
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) ZIP table: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed November 3, 2026. Plant zones on this site are our estimate, not the official map.
Scope
Cumberland County (county FIPS 37051), North Carolina. 606 native species from PLANTS county distribution records; garden-ready = species with a PLANTS characteristics record.
Method
A species is listed when it is recorded as native to the state in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in the county by USDA PLANTS. Species PLANTS labels both native and introduced are listed separately. Full method · All sources

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