Nearly one-fifth of the region's 3,000 plant species are in danger of disappearing.

The risk of extinction is as real for the beautiful Plymouth Gentian as it is for the Humpback Whale or the Peregrine Falcon. As the oldest plant conservation organization in the United States, New England Wild Flower Society is working to protect more than 500 endangered species in our region.

Most of the rare and endangered plants in New England Wild Flower Society's Garden of Rare and Endangered plants at its botanic garden, Garden in the Woods, are seldom seen growing wild in New England. Many are so inconspicuous that you could walk right by without ever noticing them. Others grow in such limited numbers you might never encounter them, unless you knew where to look.