Eggleaf Coraldrops: A Rare New Mexico Native Worth Protecting
If you’re a native plant enthusiast with a passion for conservation, you might be intrigued by eggleaf coraldrops (Besseya oblongifolia). But before you start planning where to plant this perennial wildflower, there’s something important you need to know: this little-known species is extremely rare and needs our protection more than our cultivation.
A Plant on the Edge
Eggleaf coraldrops holds an S2 conservation status, which means it’s considered imperiled. In plain terms, this species is hanging on by a thread, with typically only 6 to 20 known populations and somewhere between 1,000 to 3,000 individual plants left in the wild. That makes it rarer than many animals we consider endangered!
Where to Find This Elusive Native
This perennial is native to the lower 48 United States, but don’t expect to stumble across it on your next hiking trip. Eggleaf coraldrops is found exclusively in New Mexico, where it has adapted to the state’s unique climate and growing conditions.
Should You Grow Eggleaf Coraldrops?
Here’s where things get complicated. While supporting native plants is always admirable, eggleaf coraldrops presents a special case. Because of its imperiled status, this isn’t a plant you should casually add to your garden wishlist. However, if you’re serious about native plant conservation and have the right conditions, you might consider it – but only with major caveats.
The Responsible Approach
If you’re determined to grow eggleaf coraldrops, you must ensure your plants come from responsibly sourced material. This means:
- Never collecting plants or seeds from wild populations
- Only purchasing from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate from ethical sources
- Verifying that any seeds or plants were obtained through legitimate conservation programs
- Understanding that availability will be extremely limited
Growing Conditions and Care
Unfortunately, detailed cultivation information for eggleaf coraldrops is scarce, partly due to its rarity and limited study. What we do know is that as a New Mexico native, it’s likely adapted to:
- Arid to semi-arid conditions
- Well-draining soils
- Temperature extremes typical of the Southwest
- USDA hardiness zones that align with New Mexico’s climate (likely zones 4-8)
Given the lack of specific growing information, attempting to cultivate this species would require careful observation and potentially some trial and error – making it suitable only for experienced native plant gardeners.
Better Alternatives for Your Garden
Unless you’re involved in official conservation efforts, you might want to consider other native New Mexico plants that can provide similar ecological benefits without the conservation concerns. Look for other native wildflowers and perennials that are more common and better studied.
The Bigger Picture
While eggleaf coraldrops might not be the right choice for most gardens, learning about rare species like this reminds us why native plant conservation matters. Every native plant, no matter how small or inconspicuous, plays a role in its ecosystem. When species become this rare, we lose genetic diversity and potentially important ecological relationships we don’t yet understand.
Sometimes the best way to support a native plant isn’t to grow it in our gardens, but to support the organizations working to protect its wild habitat. If eggleaf coraldrops has captured your interest, consider supporting New Mexico-based conservation groups working to protect the state’s unique flora.
Remember: gardening with native plants is about supporting local ecosystems, and sometimes that means knowing when to admire from afar rather than dig in and plant.
