Latest news with #CarolinaBeach
Asharq Al-Awsat
27-05-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Insect-Eating Venus Flytraps Thrive in the Carolinas as Hikers Peek into Their Native Ecosystem
Park ranger Jesse Anderson leads dozens of people on a weekly hike in North Carolina to see some of the most unique living things in the world: plants that supplement the nutrients they get from sunlight by digesting ants, flies and spiders. But the Venus flytraps aren't like the human-size, ravenous and cruel Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors." In the wild, Venus flytraps are the size of a lima bean and pose no harm to anything other than insects. Their special hairs snap their leaves together when brushed, but only twice in about 20 seconds or less to reduce the amount of false alarms by dust or rain. Once inside, the insect is doomed to become plant food, Anderson said. "It continues to trigger those hairs and the trap slowly closes and eventually starts releasing digestive enzymes to start breaking down the insect. And because they're in nutrient-poor environments, they supplement their food with insects," Anderson said. Anderson's hike at Carolina Beach State Park on the southeast North Carolina coast also showcases other carnivorous plants. There are vase-shaped pitcher plants with liquid at the bottom that traps insects, then digests them. Butterworts and sundews attract insects with glistening leaves, then secrete an adhesive to trap them in place. Bladderworts work similarly to Venus flytraps. And the hike is one of the few places to see Venus flytraps. The plant only grows in 12 counties in southeast North Carolina near Wilmington and a few nearby places in South Carolina, which made the organism the state's official carnivorous plant in 2023. Now is an especially good time to take that hike. Venus flytraps bloom from about mid-May to mid-June, Anderson said. The flytrap is a fragile plant that needs fire to survive. Wildfires in the pine forests where they grow clear off the denser overgrowth to provide the abundant sunlight the plants need. They face two big enemies: poachers and development. Harvesting the plants without permission is a felony in North Carolina and a misdemeanor in South Carolina. In 2016, a man was sentenced to 17 months in prison for taking nearly 1,000 Venus flytraps from game land in Hampstead, North Carolina. And the flytraps live in one of the fastest-growing parts of the US, where neighborhoods and businesses have been built over their habitats. Most of the plants can now be found in preserves and other undisturbed areas. Scientists counted only about 300,000 flytraps in the Carolinas several years ago. While Anderson's hike is one of the few ways to see Venus flytraps in their natural environment, he said commercially grown plants can be found around in greenhouses and plant stores around the world and can thrive in homes in the right conditions "They like nutrient-poor soils, and also they can't stand typical well water or tap water. So they need things like rainwater or distilled water or versus osmosis," Anderson said. Venus flytraps need abundant sunlight and soils that are moist but not drenched. And they don't have to eat bugs if they can get enough nutrients from photosynthesis. Please don't feed them hamburger meat, that's not what they eat. And try not to trigger the leaves shut without something to digest. That takes a lot of energy the plant needs to replace.
Washington Post
27-05-2025
- Washington Post
Insect-eating Venus flytraps thrive in the Carolinas as hikers peek into their native ecosystem
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. — Park ranger Jesse Anderson leads dozens of people on a weekly hike in North Carolina to see some of the most unique living things in the world — plants that supplement the nutrients they get from sunlight by digesting ants, flies and spiders. But the Venus flytraps aren't like the human-size, ravenous and cruel Audrey in 'Little Shop of Horrors.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Insect-eating Venus flytraps thrive in the Carolinas as hikers peek into their native ecosystem
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (AP) — Park ranger Jesse Anderson leads dozens of people on a weekly hike in North Carolina to see some of the most unique living things in the world — plants that supplement the nutrients they get from sunlight by digesting ants, flies and spiders. But the Venus flytraps aren't like the human-size, ravenous and cruel Audrey in 'Little Shop of Horrors.' In the wild, Venus flytraps are the size of a lima bean and pose no harm to anything other than insects. Their special hairs snap their leaves together when brushed — but only twice in about 20 seconds or less to reduce the amount of false alarms by dust or rain. Once inside, the insect is doomed to become plant food, Anderson said. 'It continues to trigger those hairs and the trap slowly closes and eventually starts releasing digestive enzymes to start breaking down the insect. And because they're in nutrient-poor environments, they supplement their food with insects,' Anderson said. Anderson's hike at Carolina Beach State Park on the southeast North Carolina coast also showcases other carnivorous plants. There are vase-shaped pitcher plants with liquid at the bottom that traps insects, then digests them. Butterworts and sundews attract insects with glistening leaves, then secrete an adhesive to trap them in place. Bladderworts work similarly to Venus flytraps. And the hike is one of the few places to see Venus flytraps. The plant only grows in 12 counties in southeast North Carolina near Wilmington and a few nearby places in South Carolina, which made the organism the state's official carnivorous plant in 2023. Now is an especially good time to take that hike. Venus flytraps bloom from about mid-May to mid-June, Anderson said. The flytrap is a fragile plant that needs fire to survive. Wildfires in the pine forests where they grow clear off the denser overgrowth to provide the abundant sunlight the plants need. They face two big enemies — poachers and development. Harvesting the plants without permission is a felony in North Carolina and a misdemeanor in South Carolina. In 2016, a man was sentenced to 17 months in prison for taking nearly 1,000 Venus flytraps from game land in Hampstead, North Carolina. And the flytraps live in one of the fastest-growing parts of the U.S., where neighborhoods and businesses have been built over their habitats. Most of the plants can now be found in preserves and other undisturbed areas. Scientists counted only about 300,000 flytraps in the Carolinas several years ago. While Anderson's hike is one of the few ways to see Venus flytraps in their natural environment, he said commercially grown plants can be found around in greenhouses and plant stores around the world and can thrive in homes in the right conditions 'They like nutrient-poor soils, and also they can't stand typical well water or tap water. So they need things like rainwater or distilled water or versus osmosis,' Anderson said. Venus flytraps need abundant sunlight and soils that are moist but not drenched. And they don't have to eat bugs if they can get enough nutrients from photosynthesis. Please don't feed them hamburger meat — that's not what they eat. And try not to trigger the leaves shut without something to digest. That takes a lot of energy the plant needs to replace. ___ Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this story.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Associated Press
Insect-eating Venus flytraps thrive in the Carolinas as hikers peek into their native ecosystem
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (AP) — Park ranger Jesse Anderson leads dozens of people on a weekly hike in North Carolina to see some of the most unique living things in the world — plants that supplement the nutrients they get from sunlight by digesting ants, flies and spiders. But the Venus flytraps aren't like the human-size, ravenous and cruel Audrey in 'Little Shop of Horrors.' In the wild, Venus flytraps are the size of a lima bean and pose no harm to anything other than insects. Their special hairs snap their leaves together when brushed — but only twice in about 20 seconds or less to reduce the amount of false alarms by dust or rain. Once inside, the insect is doomed to become plant food, Anderson said. 'It continues to trigger those hairs and the trap slowly closes and eventually starts releasing digestive enzymes to start breaking down the insect. And because they're in nutrient-poor environments, they supplement their food with insects,' Anderson said. Anderson's hike at Carolina Beach State Park on the southeast North Carolina coast also showcases other carnivorous plants. There are vase-shaped pitcher plants with liquid at the bottom that traps insects, then digests them. Butterworts and sundews attract insects with glistening leaves, then secrete an adhesive to trap them in place. Bladderworts work similarly to Venus flytraps. And the hike is one of the few places to see Venus flytraps. The plant only grows in 12 counties in southeast North Carolina near Wilmington and a few nearby places in South Carolina, which made the organism the state's official carnivorous plant in 2023. Now is an especially good time to take that hike. Venus flytraps bloom from about mid-May to mid-June, Anderson said. The flytrap is a fragile plant that needs fire to survive. Wildfires in the pine forests where they grow clear off the denser overgrowth to provide the abundant sunlight the plants need. They face two big enemies — poachers and development. Harvesting the plants without permission is a felony in North Carolina and a misdemeanor in South Carolina. In 2016, a man was sentenced to 17 months in prison for taking nearly 1,000 Venus flytraps from game land in Hampstead, North Carolina. And the flytraps live in one of the fastest-growing parts of the U.S., where neighborhoods and businesses have been built over their habitats. Most of the plants can now be found in preserves and other undisturbed areas. Scientists counted only about 300,000 flytraps in the Carolinas several years ago. While Anderson's hike is one of the few ways to see Venus flytraps in their natural environment, he said commercially grown plants can be found around in greenhouses and plant stores around the world and can thrive in homes in the right conditions 'They like nutrient-poor soils, and also they can't stand typical well water or tap water. So they need things like rainwater or distilled water or versus osmosis,' Anderson said. Venus flytraps need abundant sunlight and soils that are moist but not drenched. And they don't have to eat bugs if they can get enough nutrients from photosynthesis. Please don't feed them hamburger meat — that's not what they eat. And try not to trigger the leaves shut without something to digest. That takes a lot of energy the plant needs to replace. ___ Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this story.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Musical month: 41 concerts to catch in the Wilmington area during June
The weather is getting hot, but June's lineup of concerts in the Wilmington area might give the heat a run for its money, with tons of touring and local acts coming to venues big and small. I tried to get all of the biggest June concerts and festivals into this story, but there's way too much going on to list everything. For some of the smaller shows in June, check our curated weekly list of things to do in the Wilmington area, which goes live every Wednesday morning. For even more live music, check out our list of outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area, many of which do not appear in this story. Link below. More music: Full list of outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area for 2025 June 1 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Make-up date for May's rained-out performance by this super-popular singer/rapper/songwriter who blends soul, country and pop. June 1 at Bourgie Nights: Monthly songwriter showcase always brings good songs and mellow vibes. June has an all-woman lineup, with original tunes by Caroline Lemley, Rachel Gore and Madisinn. June 1-8: 17th annual classical music festival brings a week of concerts to venues all over town. June 4 at Cape Fear Community Center's Wilson Center: Grammy-winning R&B singer and songwriter brings her "Love You Too" tour to town. With Marsha Ambrosius, a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter. June 5-26 in Carolina Beach: Music returns to this beloved pier-top venue in June, with rock covers by Coverlip June 5, surf rock from Birdwell Beat June 12, indie rock from Horizontal Hold and Shelby Smoak on June 19, and hard-rockin' pop songs by The Sardines June 26. June 6 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: West Virginia folk and country singer is known for writing stirring, contemplative songs that tell stories inspired by the lives and experiences of everyday folks. June 6, 20 at Airlie Gardens: Popular summer music series returns to this lush setting near Wrightsville Beach. Rockers Machine Gun play June 6, with pop and rock covers from Motel Soap June 20. June 7 at The Sandspur: Veteran Wilmington indie rock act brings its collection of driving yet laid-back tunes to this Carolina Beach spot. Summer Set: Decades in the making, a celebrated Wilmington band to debut its first album June 7 at The Bend: Daylong fundraiser and music festival features a varied lineup, with blues rockers The Blue Footed Boobies, reggae band Signal Fire, electronic music from Krispee Biscuits and soulful rock from Oc3ans. June 7-8 at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: Long-running music festival celebrates 39 years in June by adding a second day, and a second genre, for the first time. Beach music day is June 7, with The Tams, Band Of Oz and Jim Quick & Coastline. Reggae day is June 8, with Ballyhoo!, Tropidelic and Dale and the ZDubs. June 8 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Folk-rock act headlines a sprawling multi-band bill with openers John Butler, blues icon G. Love & Special Sauce, Donavon Frankenreiterand Illiterate Light. June 10 at Odell Williamson Auditorium: Veteran Christian rock and pop act brings its "Let It Begin" tour to this Brunswick County venue. With opening acts Ben Fuller and Megan Woods. June 11 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Veteran Ohio blues punk duo rose to popularity in the 2000s thanks to its visceral, stripped-down rock songs. New album "No Rain, No Flowers" drops in August. June 11 at the Bellamy Mansion Museum: The Darryl Murrill Band plays the monthly jazz series at one of Wilmington's most historic structures. June 13 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Country singer is known for such hits as "Worst Way," "There Was This Girl" and "Different 'Round Here." June 13 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Atlanta funk/soul/jam band plays this Soda Pop District hotspot with poppy Raleigh rock act Harvey Street. So, Road and Street? Get it? June 14 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Longtime California reggae-rock act brings an upbeat, playful energy to its appropriately named "Step Into the Sun" tour. June 14 at Live at Ted's: A lot of shows at intimate Castle Street listening room Ted's sell out, but this show by acclaimed Colorado string band Stillhouse Junkies hasn't, at least not yet. June 14 at Poplar Grove Plantation: Daylong music festival not only features live bluegrass and Americana from some eight acts, but you can also take square dancing or clogging lessons, participate in an open jam or even hear a talk on how to start your own bluegrass act. Mount Airy bluegrass act Travis Watt & Mountain Blessings headline, with sets by such Wilmington favs as the Asheville Mountain Boys, Massive Grass, Folkstone Stringband and, fresh from their recent appearance at MerleFest, family band Dear MariBella & The Pigkickers. Dear MariBella & The Pigkickers: Meet a Wilmington family band of 'Pigkickers' who charm with harmonies, musicianship June 15 at CFCC Wilson Center: Country music legend brings her Greatest Hits Tour to downtown Wilmington. With 19 No. 1 hits over the course of her career as part of mother-daughter duo The Judds (with her mom, the late Naomi Judd) and as a solo artist, she'll have plenty of songs to choose from. June 15 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Poppy English rock band returns to Wilmington for the first time since 2021, when they were among the first acts to play this downtown amphitheater. June 17 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: The spiritual cousin of such acts as Phish and the Grateful Dead, Connecticut jam band Goose is known for incorporating multiple genres and improvisational tangents into its rock sound. June 18 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Indie folk singer is Australia's answer to such American artists as Jack Johnson, with bouncy, largely acoustic songs and a focus on nature and the outdoors. June 19 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Veteran country singer and actor Yoakam — he appeared in Wilmington shot-movie "Bloodworth" starring Kris Kristofferson, and in locally shot TV series "Under the Dome" — is touring in support of his latest album, "Better Days," and he was also featured with Post Malone on the pop singer's recent album of country duets. June 19 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Veteran Atlanta folk-rock act helped kickstart the alt-country movement back in the 1980s, and is celebrating 35 years as a band. With openers Laid Back Country Picker. June 19-21 at The Rusty Nail: Long-running Wilmington festival (this year is the 28th) put on by the Cape Fear Blues Society brings both regional and local blues, rock and jazz acts to venerable South Fifth Avenue juke joint The Rusty Nail, which is one of Wilmington's oldest bars. June 20 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Alt-rock band from Boone has built a huge following over the past decade thanks to songs that are at once exuberantly playful and deeply emotional. The band is entering a new phase with this tour, its first since lead singer Ela Melo transitioned after coming out as transgender in 2022. June 20 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Bermudan reggae singer will bring the summery island vibes he's known for to this show. June 20-21 at The Palm Room: Hard-touring Florida jam band rolls into this Wrightsville Beach venue for a two-night stand. June 21 at Kenan Auditorium: One of the top Queen tribute bands in the business aims to give fans of the British rock band's songs an immersive experience. June 21 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Veteran North Carolina roots-rock band led by singer and guitarist Rick Miller is known for its twangy sound, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and exuberant live shows, during which fried chicken and 'nana pudding are sometimes tossed into the crowd. June 22 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Rapper known for 2008 hit "Corona and Lime" will bring the party to this Princess Street venue. Opening act is hip-hop artist JARV. June 25 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Pop's premiere parodist returns to town for his Bigger & Weirder tour. June 27 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Texas singer and songwriter is a rising country superstar thanks to songs like his platinum-selling smash "Burn It Down." June 28 at CFCC Wilson Center: Iconic R&B singer known as the Empress of Soul, and for her long association with band The Pips, will play the many hits from her 60-year career. Opening act is longtime Wilmington jazz saxophonist Benny Hill. June 28 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Burlington jam band returns to Wilmington to play this lakeside venue they've rocked many times. Opening set by Wilmington soul rock act Oc3ans. June 30 at Live at Ted's: L.A. folk-punk artist has toured as an opener for big acts like Bonnie Raitt and Iron and Wine. The show at Castle Street listening room Ted's is a rare opportunity to see her in an intimate settings. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What concerts are there in Wilmington, NC, in June of 2025?
