Rushpink Skeletonplant: A Rare Utah Native Worth Knowing About
If you’re drawn to rare and unusual native plants, you might have stumbled across the intriguing rushpink skeletonplant (Lygodesmia entrada). This perennial wildflower is one of those mysterious plants that seems to fly under the radar, and for good reason – it’s quite rare and has a very limited range.
What Is Rushpink Skeletonplant?
Rushpink skeletonplant is a native perennial forb, meaning it’s an herbaceous plant without woody stems that comes back year after year. As part of the Lygodesmia genus, it belongs to the sunflower family and shares characteristics with other skeletonplants – a name that hints at their often sparse, delicate appearance.
You might occasionally see this plant listed under its botanical synonym Lygodesmia grandiflora var. entrada, but Lygodesmia entrada is the accepted name.
Where Does It Grow?
This little-known native has an extremely limited geographic range, found only in Utah. Its restricted distribution is one of the factors that makes it such a special find for native plant enthusiasts.
A Word of Caution: Rarity Status
Here’s where things get important for responsible gardeners: rushpink skeletonplant has a Global Conservation Status of S1Q. While the Q indicates some uncertainty in the classification, the S1 ranking suggests this plant is critically imperiled and extremely rare. This means if you’re interested in this species, you need to be extra careful about sourcing.
If you’re considering adding this plant to your garden, please:
- Only obtain plants or seeds from reputable native plant nurseries
- Ensure any material is ethically and legally collected
- Never collect from wild populations
- Consider whether your garden can truly provide appropriate conditions
Growing Rushpink Skeletonplant: The Challenge
Here’s the honest truth: there’s very limited information available about successfully cultivating rushpink skeletonplant in home gardens. This isn’t unusual for rare native species, which often have very specific habitat requirements that can be difficult to replicate.
What we do know is that it’s a perennial that has adapted to Utah’s unique climate and soil conditions. Without detailed growing information, attempting to cultivate this species would be quite experimental.
Should You Plant Rushpink Skeletonplant?
Given its rarity status and the lack of cultivation information, rushpink skeletonplant might not be the best choice for most home gardeners. However, if you’re an experienced native plant grower in Utah with a particular interest in rare species, and you can source material responsibly, it could be a fascinating addition to a specialized collection.
Consider these alternatives instead:
- Other Lygodesmia species that are more common and easier to grow
- Utah native wildflowers with similar growing requirements
- Supporting conservation efforts for rare plants like rushpink skeletonplant
The Bottom Line
Rushpink skeletonplant represents the kind of botanical treasure that makes native plant exploration so rewarding – even if we can’t all grow it in our backyards. Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do for rare plants is simply knowing they exist, respecting their wild habitats, and supporting the conservation work that helps protect them for future generations.
If you’re in Utah and happen to encounter this rare beauty in the wild, consider yourself lucky – and remember to leave only footprints and take only photos!
