Flowering rosettes usually produce a solitary head of perfect disk and pistallate ray florets between May and August. The attractive inflorescence and prominance of plants along roadsides and open, sunny areas led people to uproot entire plants from the wild. Collection of plants from natural populations was a significant factor in placing this species on the national list of endangered species. South Carolina recognizes the federal listing for this species. The SC Botanical Garden and the Endangered Species Research Work Unit applied for and were granted permission by the US Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, the South Carolina Non-Game and Heritage Trust Program, and the US Forest Service to conduct basic research projects on E. laevigata plants maintained in Garden facilities.
Results are very encouraging.
In the second part of this study, rhizome segments were taken early in the growing season and again in late summer. In general, more new plants developed from cuttings made later in the year, then from cuttings taken at the start of the growing season. Among other on-going projects at the South Carolina Botanical Garden, the Forest Service's Clemson unit has been conductiog research to determine what environmental factors are necessary for successful seed germination of additional rare plant species, as well as seedling growth and establishment of E. laevigata . The Forest Service sought not only facilities of the South Carolina Botanical Garden, but also its wide expertise in horticulture and plant research. Research alone, however, will not recover rare, endangered or threatened species.