Bering Sea Dock: A Rare Alaska Native Worth Protecting
If you’re looking for a conversation starter in your native plant garden, Bering Sea dock (Rumex beringensis) might just be your plant. But before you start shopping for seeds, there’s something important you need to know about this elusive Alaska native – it’s rarer than a sunny day in Juneau!
What Makes Bering Sea Dock Special
Bering Sea dock is a perennial forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. As a member of the buckwheat family, it shares DNA with common garden dock, but this Alaska native has carved out its own unique niche in the far north.
What sets this plant apart isn’t just its remote habitat – it’s also its conservation status. With a Global Conservation Status of S3 (Vulnerable), Rumex beringensis is considered at risk throughout its range. This means there are typically only 21 to 100 known occurrences of the plant, making it a true botanical treasure.
Where You’ll Find It (If You’re Lucky)
Bering Sea dock calls Alaska home and only Alaska. This plant has stayed true to its northern roots, thriving in the challenging conditions of America’s last frontier. Its limited range makes it a true endemic species, perfectly adapted to Alaska’s unique climate and growing conditions.
Should You Grow Bering Sea Dock?
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit complicated). While the idea of growing this rare Alaska native might sound appealing, its vulnerable status means you’ll need to approach this plant with extra care and responsibility.
If you’re considering adding Bering Sea dock to your garden:
- Only source plants or seeds from reputable native plant nurseries that practice ethical collection
- Never harvest from wild populations
- Consider it a conservation effort rather than just a garden addition
- Be prepared for limited availability and higher costs
The Growing Challenge
Unfortunately, detailed growing information for Bering Sea dock is about as scarce as the plant itself. What we do know is that it’s adapted to Alaska’s harsh conditions, which tells us it’s likely very cold hardy and probably prefers conditions similar to its native habitat.
Without specific cultivation data, growing this plant outside of Alaska (or even within Alaska) becomes a bit of an adventure. If you’re determined to try, your best bet is to:
- Mimic Alaska-like conditions as much as possible
- Provide excellent drainage
- Expect a slow establishment period
- Be patient – rare plants often take time to settle in
A Plant for Conservation-Minded Gardeners
Bering Sea dock isn’t your typical garden center find, and that’s exactly what makes it special. This plant appeals to gardeners who see their landscapes as mini-conservation areas and want to grow something truly unique.
While we don’t have specific information about its wildlife benefits or pollinator relationships, most dock species provide some value to local ecosystems. As a native Alaska plant, it likely has evolved alongside local wildlife and may provide food or habitat benefits we’re still learning about.
The Bottom Line
Bering Sea dock represents the fascinating world of rare native plants – species that remind us how much we still have to learn about our natural heritage. While it’s not a plant for every gardener, those committed to conservation and native plant preservation might find it a worthy addition to their collection.
Just remember: with great rarity comes great responsibility. If you decide to grow Bering Sea dock, you’re not just gardening – you’re participating in conservation. And that’s pretty cool, even if your neighbors have no idea what that interesting plant in your garden actually is!
Before taking the plunge, consider supporting Alaska native plant organizations or conservation groups working to protect species like Bering Sea dock in their natural habitat. Sometimes the best way to help a rare plant is to ensure its wild home stays wild.
