The plants are native to southeastern North Carolina. "They only grow naturally within a 100-mile radius of Wilmington," Sgt. Matt Criscoe with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission told the news station. "This time of year they start to bud flowers," making it easier to find them and prompting increased patrols for poachers, Criscoe said. He said the plants are sold on the black market or locally. Wildlife officers responded to a complaint last month about two people digging for flytraps in Boiling Spring Lakes. They were stopped at a local gas station and officers searched their backpacks. They're accused...
