Comb Wash Buckwheat: A Rare Desert Treasure Worth Protecting
Meet Comb Wash buckwheat (Eriogonum clavellatum), one of nature’s more elusive characters in the American Southwest. This little-known perennial herb might not be splashed across garden center displays, but it holds a special place in the hearts of native plant enthusiasts and conservationists who understand its true value.
What Makes This Plant Special?
Comb Wash buckwheat belongs to the diverse Eriogonum genus, commonly known as wild buckwheats. As a forb herb, this perennial lacks the woody stems you’d find on shrubs or trees, instead maintaining a herbaceous growth habit. What makes it truly remarkable, though, is its rarity – this plant carries an S2 Global Conservation Status, meaning it’s considered imperiled in the wild.
Where Does It Call Home?
This native American species has carved out its niche in just three southwestern states: Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Its limited distribution tells a story of adaptation to very specific environmental conditions that exist in these desert and semi-arid regions.
The Conservation Reality Check
Here’s where things get serious. With typically only 6 to 20 known occurrences and somewhere between 1,000 to 3,000 individual plants remaining in the wild, Comb Wash buckwheat teeters on the edge of extreme rarity. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill garden center find – it’s a plant that needs our protection more than our cultivation.
Should You Grow It?
The short answer? Proceed with extreme caution and responsibility. If you’re passionate about growing this rare beauty, here are the non-negotiables:
- Only source plants or seeds from verified, ethical suppliers who practice responsible collection
- Never collect from wild populations
- Consider joining or supporting conservation efforts instead of growing it personally
- Ensure you’re in the appropriate geographic region (Colorado, New Mexico, or Utah)
What We Know About Growing Conditions
Unfortunately, specific growing requirements for Comb Wash buckwheat remain somewhat mysterious due to its rarity and limited study. However, based on its native habitat in the Southwest, it likely prefers:
- Well-draining, possibly sandy or rocky soils
- Full sun exposure
- Low water requirements once established
- Specific soil chemistry found in its native range
The Bigger Picture
Sometimes the best way to honor a rare plant isn’t by growing it in our gardens, but by protecting its wild habitat and supporting conservation efforts. Consider this: every Comb Wash buckwheat in cultivation should ideally contribute to conservation efforts rather than simply ornamental gardening.
Alternative Options
If you’re drawn to the wild buckwheat family, consider these more common Eriogonum species that offer similar aesthetic appeal without conservation concerns:
- Desert Trumpet (Eriogonum inflatum)
- Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum)
- Wright’s Buckwheat (Eriogonum wrightii)
The Bottom Line
Comb Wash buckwheat represents something precious in our natural world – a reminder that not every beautiful plant needs to be in every garden. Sometimes, the most meaningful relationship we can have with a species is to admire it from afar, protect its habitat, and support the scientists and conservationists working to ensure it doesn’t disappear forever.
If you do choose to grow this species, do so with the utmost respect for its conservation status and always, always source responsibly. Our gardens should be sanctuaries that support biodiversity, not contribute to the decline of rare species.
