Poorjoe: A Little-Known Southwest Native Worth Discovering
If you’re looking to expand your native plant palette with something truly regional, you might want to get acquainted with poorjoe (Diodia teres var. angustata). This unassuming little forb is one of those under-the-radar natives that deserves more attention from gardeners interested in authentic Southwest landscaping.
What Exactly Is Poorjoe?
Poorjoe is a native forb – essentially a non-woody flowering plant that lacks the thick, woody stems you’d find on shrubs or trees. Think of it as nature’s humble groundcover option. As both an annual and perennial (depending on growing conditions), this adaptable little plant has mastered the art of flexibility in the challenging Southwest environment.
The variety angustata is distinguished by its narrower leaves compared to other forms of Diodia teres, though detailed information about this specific variety remains surprisingly scarce in gardening literature.
Where Does Poorjoe Call Home?
This native plant has a rather exclusive address – you’ll find it naturally occurring in Arizona and New Mexico. While it’s native to the lower 48 states, its distribution is quite limited to these southwestern regions, making it a true regional specialty.
Should You Grow Poorjoe in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit challenging. While poorjoe has the excellent credentials of being a native plant (always a plus for supporting local ecosystems), there’s limited information available about its garden performance, specific growing requirements, or landscape applications.
What we do know is promising:
- It’s a native species, which typically means it’s well-adapted to local climate conditions
- As a forb, it likely provides some value to local pollinators and wildlife
- Its annual/perennial nature suggests it’s adaptable to varying conditions
The Growing Challenge
Unfortunately, specific growing conditions, USDA hardiness zones, and cultivation tips for Diodia teres var. angustata are not well-documented in available gardening resources. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for adventurous native plant gardeners.
If you’re considering adding poorjoe to your landscape, you’ll likely need to:
- Contact local native plant societies or botanical gardens for growing advice
- Look for seed sources from reputable native plant suppliers
- Be prepared for some trial and error in determining its preferred spot in your garden
The Bottom Line
Poorjoe represents one of those intriguing native plants that hasn’t yet made it into mainstream gardening consciousness. While its limited documentation makes it challenging to recommend with complete confidence, its native status and regional specificity make it worth considering if you’re passionate about authentic Southwest native landscaping.
If you’re a gardener who enjoys being a plant pioneer and you live in Arizona or New Mexico, poorjoe might be worth seeking out. Just be prepared to become something of a researcher yourself as you learn its preferences and quirks.
For those wanting more guaranteed success with Southwest natives, consider exploring better-documented regional plants while keeping poorjoe on your someday list for when more cultivation information becomes available.
