Payson’s Tansymustard: A Lesser-Known Native Worth Knowing
If you’re a gardener who loves discovering hidden gems in the native plant world, Payson’s tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata paysonii) might just pique your interest. This unassuming little forb represents one of those fascinating plants that fly under the radar, yet plays its own unique role in the diverse tapestry of Western American flora.
What Exactly is Payson’s Tansymustard?
Payson’s tansymustard is a subspecies of the more widely known western tansy mustard, and it belongs to the mustard family. As a forb, it’s an herbaceous plant without significant woody growth—think of it as one of those delicate, non-woody plants that pop up seasonally. This particular variety can behave as either an annual (completing its life cycle in one year) or a biennial (taking two years to complete its cycle).
The plant is native to the lower 48 states, which means it naturally evolved here and has deep relationships with local ecosystems that non-native plants simply can’t replicate.
Where Does It Call Home?
Payson’s tansymustard has carved out its niche across several western states, including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. This distribution tells us it’s adapted to the unique conditions of the American West, from high desert landscapes to mountain foothills.
Should You Grow Payson’s Tansymustard?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While this native plant certainly has ecological value, there are some important considerations before you rush to add it to your garden:
The Rarity Factor
Payson’s tansymustard has a global conservation status of S5T3?, which essentially means we’re not entirely sure how rare or common this plant actually is. That question mark is doing some heavy lifting here! This uncertainty suggests we should err on the side of caution.
If you’re determined to grow this plant, make absolutely sure you’re sourcing it responsibly. Never collect seeds or plants from wild populations, and only purchase from reputable native plant nurseries that can verify their propagation methods.
The Information Gap
Unfortunately, detailed growing information specifically for Payson’s tansymustard is quite limited. We don’t have solid data on its specific growing conditions, wildlife benefits, or ideal garden applications. This makes it a challenging choice for most home gardeners who want reliable guidance on plant care.
Alternative Native Options
Given the uncertainties surrounding Payson’s tansymustard, you might consider other well-documented native mustard family plants that offer similar ecological benefits:
- Other Descurainia species that are more common and better understood
- Native wildflowers from your specific region that support local pollinators
- Well-researched forbs that thrive in western growing conditions
The Bottom Line
While Payson’s tansymustard is undoubtedly an interesting native plant with ecological value, it’s probably not the best choice for most home gardeners. The combination of unclear conservation status and limited growing information makes it more suitable for botanical gardens, research institutions, or experienced native plant specialists.
Instead, focus your native gardening efforts on well-documented plants with clear growing requirements and established benefits. Your local native plant society or extension office can point you toward fantastic native alternatives that will thrive in your garden while supporting local wildlife.
Remember, the best native garden is one where both plants and gardener can flourish together!
