Bolander’s Knotweed: A Mysterious California Native Worth Knowing
Meet Bolander’s knotweed (Polygonum bolanderi), one of California’s more enigmatic native plants that tends to fly under the radar in most gardening circles. This perennial forb represents the kind of specialized native species that makes California’s flora so incredibly diverse—and sometimes so challenging to track down!
What Exactly Is Bolander’s Knotweed?
Bolander’s knotweed is a perennial forb, which botanically speaking means it’s a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. Unlike shrubs or trees, this plant lacks significant woody tissue and keeps its growing points either at or below ground level during dormant periods. Think of it as nature’s way of staying low-key but persistent.
Where You’ll Find This California Native
This species calls California home and is native to the lower 48 states. However, its exact distribution within California isn’t widely documented in popular gardening resources, which tells us something important about this plant—it’s likely quite specialized in its habitat requirements.
Should You Grow Bolander’s Knotweed?
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit mysterious). While Bolander’s knotweed has the appeal of being a true California native, there’s remarkably little information available about its cultivation, appearance, or garden performance. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for adventurous native plant gardeners.
The Reality Check
If you’re considering adding this plant to your garden, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:
- Limited availability: You’re unlikely to find this at your typical nursery
- Unknown garden performance: Without established horticultural knowledge, you’d be pioneering its use in cultivation
- Specialized needs: Its rarity in cultivation suggests it may have very specific growing requirements
Better-Known Native Alternatives
While we celebrate the diversity that plants like Bolander’s knotweed represent, you might have better luck with other California native knotweeds or buckwheat family members that are better understood in garden settings. Consider looking into:
- California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
- Other well-established Eriogonum species
- Native plants from the same region where Bolander’s knotweed naturally occurs
If You’re Determined to Try It
For the truly adventurous native plant enthusiast who wants to work with Bolander’s knotweed, your best bet is to:
- Contact specialized native plant societies in California
- Reach out to botanical gardens with California native collections
- Connect with researchers or herbarium specialists who might have insights into its ecology
- Ensure any plant material is ethically sourced and not collected from wild populations
The Bottom Line
Bolander’s knotweed represents the fascinating diversity of California’s native flora, but it’s not your typical garden center find. While there’s nothing preventing you from growing this native species, the lack of cultivation information means you’d be entering uncharted gardening territory. For most gardeners, exploring better-documented native alternatives might provide more reliable results while still supporting local ecosystems.
Sometimes the most interesting native plants are the ones that keep their secrets, and Bolander’s knotweed certainly falls into that category!
