MacBride Cleomella: Idaho’s Mysterious Native Annual
If you’re looking for a truly unique addition to your native plant garden, MacBride cleomella (Cleomella macbrideana) might just be the conversation starter you never knew you needed. This little-known native annual is one of Idaho’s botanical secrets—so secret, in fact, that finding detailed information about it feels like a treasure hunt!
What Exactly Is MacBride Cleomella?
MacBride cleomella is a native annual forb that belongs to the spider flower family. As a forb, it’s an herbaceous flowering plant without woody stems—think of it as nature’s version of a seasonal wildflower that completes its entire life cycle in just one growing season. This plant is exclusively native to Idaho, making it a true regional specialty.
Where Does It Call Home?
This plant has chosen Idaho as its one and only home state within the lower 48 states. Its extremely limited distribution makes it something of a botanical unicorn—you won’t find MacBride cleomella growing wild anywhere else in the country.
Should You Grow MacBride Cleomella?
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit challenging). While MacBride cleomella has the appeal of being a true Idaho native, the reality is that very little is known about its cultivation requirements, appearance, or garden performance. This mystery plant falls into the category of proceed with curiosity and caution.
The Pros of Planting MacBride Cleomella:
- It’s a genuine Idaho native, supporting local ecosystems
- Annual plants often provide quick results and seasonal interest
- You’d have serious bragging rights as possibly the only gardener in your neighborhood growing this species
- Contributing to the cultivation of rare native plants helps preserve biodiversity
The Challenges:
- Seeds or plants are likely extremely difficult (if not impossible) to source commercially
- Growing requirements are largely unknown
- No information available about its ornamental value or garden performance
- Its rarity might indicate very specific habitat needs that are hard to replicate
Growing Conditions and Care
Unfortunately, specific growing requirements for MacBride cleomella remain a mystery. As an annual forb native to Idaho, it likely adapted to the state’s varied climatic conditions, but without more research, it’s impossible to provide concrete cultivation advice.
If you’re determined to try growing this plant, your best bet would be to:
- Contact Idaho native plant societies or botanical gardens for guidance
- Research the specific habitat where it’s been found growing wild
- Start with general conditions suitable for Idaho native annuals
- Ensure any seeds or plants are ethically and legally sourced
Alternative Native Options
If MacBride cleomella proves too elusive for your garden, consider other members of the Cleomella genus or related spider flowers that are easier to source and grow. These alternatives can give you a similar botanical experience while supporting native plant cultivation.
The Bottom Line
MacBride cleomella represents one of gardening’s ultimate challenges—growing a plant that’s so uncommon, it’s practically mythical. While it might not be the practical choice for most gardeners, it certainly embodies the spirit of native plant conservation. If you’re an experienced native plant enthusiast with connections to Idaho’s botanical community, this could be an exciting project. For most gardeners, though, starting with better-known Idaho natives might be a more rewarding path to supporting local ecosystems.
Sometimes the most fascinating plants are the ones that remain just out of reach, reminding us that there’s still so much to discover in the world of native flora.
