Finding threatened native plants - Ask Extension
Hello, I work in the landscape industry. I have several clients who want to naturalize areas on their properties, and they want to bring in threatened...
Knowledgebase
Finding threatened native plants #924929
Asked February 23, 2026, 9:43 AM EST
Hello, I work in the landscape industry. I have several clients who want to naturalize areas on their properties, and they want to bring in threatened native plants to help the natural ecosystem. Is there a specific place that one can go to acquire said plants?
Emmet County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. I was able to find an excellent source of endangered and restricted native plants in Michigan. The list was compiled by MSU Extension. Your clients will have to research the various plants to select those that are suitable for their needs. Unfortunately, the list does not include a photo of each plant. It does provide the designation for each plant: E for endangered, T for threatened, and X for extirpated, which means that the plant has been destroyed or removed. Also included is the designation SC, which means the plant is of special concern and is being watched for further decline.
Check out the article: https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/description/14907/agalinis-auriculata
The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and similar state laws prohibit the "taking"—collecting, damaging, or destroying—of these plants on federal or state lands.
The following resource is from the Michigan Master Gardener Association. They have compiled a list of nurseries and farms that specialize in native plants. You can buy seeds and plants of many wildflowers and natives here: https://www.michiganmastergardener.org/nurseries-featuring-native-plants
I hope this information is helpful, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need further information.
Kind regards!
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. I was able to find an excellent source of endangered and restricted native plants in Michigan. The list was compiled by MSU Extension. Your clients will have to research the various plants to select those that are suitable for their needs. Unfortunately, the list does not include a photo of each plant. It does provide the designation for each plant: E for endangered, T for threatened, and X for extirpated, which means that the plant has been destroyed or removed. Also included is the designation SC, which means the plant is of special concern and is being watched for further decline.
Check out the article: https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/description/14907/agalinis-auriculata
The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and similar state laws prohibit the "taking"—collecting, damaging, or destroying—of these plants on federal or state lands.
The following resource is from the Michigan Master Gardener Association. They have compiled a list of nurseries and farms that specialize in native plants. You can buy seeds and plants of many wildflowers and natives here: https://www.michiganmastergardener.org/nurseries-featuring-native-plants
I hope this information is helpful, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need further information.
Kind regards!
