Georgia Rockcress Designated as “Threatened” by Federal Wildlife Officials

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service has given new status to the Georgia rockcress: the federal agency has put the plant on its list of threatened species.Broadcast Version

It truly is a delicate flower. The Georgia rockcress looks a bit like a mustard plant. It grows to be only about 18 inches tall. It usually grows in shallow soil, most often on steep river bluffs.

And that is part of the problem according to federal wildlife biologist Jimmy Rickard. “Quarrying of limestone has destroyed some of those river bluffs,” says Rickard. “Also they’re very pretty parts of the river. You know, obviously it’s a great place to put a road or, because you’re not down in the flood plain, or it’s a great place to put a house.”

But that’s not so great for the Georgia rockcress. Rickard says its habitat has been fragmented, allowing other, stronger plants to it out.