The Sandplain Gerardia was discovered in Maryland in 1950 and is found in five states - Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. Less than 15 populations of this endangered wildflower exist, with the largest groupings found in Massachusetts and New York. It is thought that there are around 10,000 plants total, although being an annual, this number varies from year to year. Among the main threats to the plant's survival are: loss of habitat on coastal sandplains to residential development; suppression of fire, grazing, and other necessary disturbances that keep competing plants from taking over the Sandplain Gerardia's habitat...

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