Chenopod Brickellbush: A Rare New Mexico Native Worth Knowing About
If you’re passionate about native plants and love discovering botanical treasures, you might be intrigued by the chenopod brickellbush (Brickellia chenopodina). This little-known perennial shrub is one of New Mexico’s endemic species, though it’s so rare that even seasoned native plant enthusiasts might not have encountered it in the wild.
What Makes Chenopod Brickellbush Special
The chenopod brickellbush is a compact perennial shrub that stays refreshingly manageable in the garden. You can expect this plant to remain under 1.5 feet tall in most conditions, with a maximum height of about 3 feet at full maturity. This modest stature makes it an interesting candidate for smaller native gardens or specialized collections.
As a member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae), it shares lineage with some of our most beloved native wildflowers, though this particular species keeps a much lower profile than its showier cousins.
Where It Calls Home
Chenopod brickellbush is exclusively native to New Mexico, making it a true regional specialty. This limited geographic distribution is part of what makes the plant so intriguing—and so rare.
A Word of Caution: Rarity Matters
Here’s where things get serious. Chenopod brickellbush has a Global Conservation Status of SHQ, which indicates its conservation status is undefined or questionable. This designation suggests the plant may be extremely rare or that there’s insufficient data about its populations.
If you’re considering adding this plant to your garden, please proceed with extra caution:
- Only obtain plants or seeds from reputable native plant nurseries that can verify responsible sourcing
- Never collect from wild populations
- Consider supporting conservation efforts for New Mexico’s endemic flora instead
- Ask local botanists or native plant societies about the plant’s current status before purchasing
Growing Challenges and Unknowns
Unfortunately, detailed cultivation information for chenopod brickellbush is extremely limited. This isn’t uncommon for rare endemic species that haven’t been extensively studied or brought into cultivation. What we do know is that it’s adapted to New Mexico’s climate conditions, which suggests it likely prefers:
- Well-draining soils
- Low to moderate water requirements once established
- Full to partial sun exposure
- Protection from excessive moisture
Should You Grow Chenopod Brickellbush?
This is a tricky question. While supporting rare native plants through cultivation can be valuable for conservation, the lack of information about this species and its unclear conservation status make it a challenging choice for most gardeners.
If you’re determined to include rare New Mexico natives in your garden, consider these alternatives that are better understood and more readily available:
- Other Brickellia species native to the Southwest
- Native New Mexico asters and sunflowers
- Well-documented regional endemic plants with established cultivation guidelines
The Bottom Line
Chenopod brickellbush represents the fascinating world of botanical rarities that exist in our native landscapes. While it might not be the best choice for most native gardens due to its rarity and cultivation challenges, learning about such species helps us appreciate the incredible diversity of our regional flora.
If you encounter this plant in the wild during your New Mexico adventures, consider yourself lucky to witness one of the state’s botanical treasures—and please leave it undisturbed for future generations to discover and study.
