Extinctions are something that can happen naturally over time. However, humans have greatly increased the rate of species extinctions through the destruction of natural habitats, pollution, and carelessness in regards to sustainability. One species in danger of extinction is the already rare Bunched Arrowhead. Also referred to as Wapato, Indian potato, or duck potato, the small aquatic plant is found in the shallow areas of bogs and swamps, its flower is small and white, and it produces edible tubers. The Bunched Arrowhead is not particularly remarkable. It’s not known for being beautiful or fragrant or prized. Despite being a source of food we are unaware of any benefits that it provides, medical or otherwise. Yet, there are still people out there trying to save and protect this extremely endangered species. Bunched Arrowhead has had Federal Endangered status since July 1979.
Although Bunched Arrowhead was once found across the southeast, it is now only found in two locations, North Carolina and South Carolina. While there used to be many populations of Bunched Arrowhead in North Carolina, populations on historical preservation sites and in…show more content… In 2012 a thief crawled under a barbed wire fence with the tools to cut and remove a 2ft by 2ft patch of Bunched Arrowhead. It came as a hard blow to the Department of Natural Resources that someone would destroy what they had worked so hard to preserve and protect. Mary Bunch with the DNR was quoted saying “Somebody had to know what they were after and perhaps coveted rare things. I don’t know, perhaps they thought they could sell them.” She went on to say that nature was there for everyone and that when people think themselves above the rules then soon everything that the DNR and other groups work to save will be gone. The theft was considered to have done serious harm to the species future
