Mogollon Hawkweed: A Rare Southwestern Native Worth Knowing
If you’re passionate about native plants and happen to garden in the American Southwest, you might be intrigued by Mogollon hawkweed (Hieracium fendleri var. mogollense). This lesser-known perennial forb represents one of nature’s more specialized creations, perfectly adapted to its unique mountain homeland.
What Makes Mogollon Hawkweed Special?
Mogollon hawkweed is a true native of the American Southwest, naturally occurring only in Arizona and New Mexico. As a member of the hawkweed family, this perennial forb grows as a non-woody herbaceous plant, meaning it lacks the thick, woody stems you’d find on shrubs or trees. Instead, it maintains its perennial nature through underground structures that survive from year to year.
The plant gets its name from the Mogollon region, a mountainous area spanning parts of Arizona and New Mexico where this variety has made its home. This geographic specificity makes it a true regional specialty – like a local delicacy that you can only find in certain neighborhoods.
Conservation Status: Handle with Care
Here’s where things get a bit complicated. Mogollon hawkweed carries a Global Conservation Status of S5T3?, which essentially means its conservation status is undefined or unclear. While this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s endangered, it does suggest that this plant deserves our respect and careful consideration.
If you’re considering adding this native to your garden, make sure to source it responsibly. This means purchasing from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate their plants rather than collecting from wild populations.
Should You Grow Mogollon Hawkweed?
The honest truth? This might be one of those it’s complicated situations. Here’s what we know:
- It’s a true native, which is always a plus for supporting local ecosystems
- As a perennial, it offers long-term garden value once established
- Its limited range means it’s specially adapted to Southwestern conditions
- The unclear conservation status suggests caution is warranted
Growing Conditions and Care
Unfortunately, specific growing information for Mogollon hawkweed is quite limited in available resources. This is actually pretty common with specialized native varieties – they’re often understudied compared to their more widespread cousins.
What we can infer from its native range in Arizona and New Mexico is that it likely prefers:
- Well-draining soils typical of mountainous regions
- Conditions suited to higher elevation Southwestern climates
- Probably some tolerance for drought, like most regional natives
The Bottom Line
Mogollon hawkweed represents one of those fascinating native plants that reminds us how much we still have to learn about our local flora. While it might not be the easiest plant to find or grow, it offers the satisfaction of supporting a truly regional native species.
If you’re in Arizona or New Mexico and passionate about native plants, this could be a worthy addition to a specialized native garden – just remember to source it responsibly and perhaps connect with local native plant societies who might have more specific growing experience with this unique variety.
For most gardeners, especially those outside its natural range, you might want to consider other well-studied native hawkweeds or similar native forbs that are better documented and more readily available. Sometimes the most responsible approach to rare plants is appreciating them in their natural habitat while choosing more common natives for our gardens.
