Jones’ Selenia: A Little-Known Texas Native Worth Discovering
If you’re passionate about native Texas plants and love adding unique species to your garden, you might be intrigued by Jones’ selenia (Selenia jonesii var. obovata). This modest annual wildflower is part of the mustard family and represents one of Texas’s lesser-known botanical treasures.
What is Jones’ Selenia?
Jones’ selenia is an annual forb—essentially a non-woody flowering plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. As a forb, it lacks significant woody tissue and produces new growth from buds at or below ground level each year. This particular variety, obovata, is distinguished by its leaf shape, though specific details about its appearance are not well-documented in horticultural literature.
Where Does It Grow Naturally?
This native Texas wildflower is found exclusively in the Lone Star State, making it a true regional endemic. Its limited geographic distribution means it’s specially adapted to Texas’s unique climate and growing conditions.
Should You Plant Jones’ Selenia in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While Jones’ selenia is undeniably a native Texas plant worthy of conservation interest, there’s limited information available about its horticultural characteristics, growing requirements, or garden performance. This presents both challenges and opportunities for adventurous native plant gardeners.
The Pros:
- It’s a true Texas native, supporting local ecosystems
- As an annual, it won’t become a permanent commitment if it doesn’t work in your space
- Being part of the mustard family, it may provide benefits to pollinators
- You’d be growing something truly unique and locally adapted
The Challenges:
- Seeds or plants may be extremely difficult to source
- Growing requirements are not well-documented
- Garden performance and aesthetic appeal are unknown
- Without more research, success rates are unpredictable
Growing Conditions and Care
Unfortunately, specific growing conditions for Jones’ selenia var. obovata aren’t well-documented in available horticultural sources. However, as a Texas native annual in the mustard family, we can make some educated guesses:
- It likely prefers well-draining soils typical of Texas landscapes
- As a native annual, it probably germinates with fall or spring rains
- It may tolerate drought conditions once established
- Full sun to partial shade would be typical for most Texas natives
The Bottom Line
Jones’ selenia represents an interesting case study in native plant gardening. While its status as a Texas endemic makes it ecologically valuable, the lack of available horticultural information makes it challenging for home gardeners to grow successfully.
If you’re determined to try growing this unique native, your best bet would be to connect with native plant societies, botanical gardens, or research institutions in Texas that might have experience with rare native species. They could potentially provide guidance on seed collection, germination, and growing techniques.
For most gardeners seeking reliable Texas native annuals, consider well-documented alternatives like bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, or other members of the mustard family that are more readily available and have proven garden performance.
Sometimes the most rewarding native plants are the ones that remain a bit mysterious—Jones’ selenia certainly fits that description!
