The most unique thing in Pender County's interior is the huge amount of undeveloped lands in the Holly Shelter and Angola Bay Gamelands. These areas are managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission for hunters, and as a wildlife habitat. In addition to the red-cockaded woodpecker, the area is home to the Venus flytrap and many other carnivorous plants. Native orchids include these:

Calopogon multiflora

This grass pink has flowers that open all at once, whereas C. pulchellus has flowers that open successively. Very rare, and this picture may be the only known instance in Pender County.

Calopogon pulchellus

The flowers are usually found as individuals, or a few flowers on a stem.

Calopogon pulchellus

Grass pink, from its name, is usually pink, and seen in all shades from light to deep, but occasionally startling white.

Cleistes divaricata

Pogonia ophioglossoides

Habenaria blephariglottis

Habenaria ciliaris