Salty Buckwheat: A Hidden Gem of the American West
If you’re looking for a truly unique native plant that most gardeners have never heard of, let me introduce you to salty buckwheat (Stenogonum salsuginosum). This little-known annual forb is one of those under-the-radar natives that deserves more attention from adventurous gardeners who love supporting local ecosystems.
What Exactly Is Salty Buckwheat?
Salty buckwheat is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the buckwheat family. Don’t let the salty name fool you – it’s not related to the salt you sprinkle on your food! This native wildflower is what botanists call a forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a soft-stemmed plant (not woody) that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season.
You might also see this plant listed under its scientific synonym Eriogonum salsuginosum in older reference materials, but Stenogonum salsuginosum is the current accepted name.
Where Does Salty Buckwheat Call Home?
This native beauty has made itself at home across seven western states: Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. It’s perfectly adapted to the challenging conditions of the American West, from high desert plains to mountain foothills.
Should You Plant Salty Buckwheat in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit challenging. Salty buckwheat is what I’d call a mystery plant in the gardening world. While it’s definitely native and not invasive, there’s very little information available about how to successfully cultivate it in home gardens.
The Pros:
- It’s a true native species that supports local ecosystems
- As an annual, it won’t take over your garden permanently
- It’s adapted to challenging western growing conditions
- You’ll have serious bragging rights as one of the few gardeners growing it!
The Challenges:
- Seeds and growing information are extremely difficult to find
- No established cultivation practices or care guidelines
- Unknown performance in garden settings
- Limited availability through commercial sources
Growing Conditions (Best Guess Approach)
Since specific cultivation information is scarce, we have to make educated guesses based on where salty buckwheat naturally thrives. Given its native range across the western states, it likely prefers:
- Well-draining, possibly alkaline soils
- Full sun exposure
- Low to moderate water requirements
- USDA hardiness zones roughly 4-8 (based on its native range)
For the Adventurous Gardener
If you’re determined to try growing salty buckwheat, your best bet is to contact native plant societies or botanical gardens in its native range. They might have seeds or know collectors who do. Always ensure any plant material is ethically and legally sourced.
Since this is such an uncommon garden plant, consider it an experimental addition rather than a landscape staple. Start small, document what works, and be prepared for some trial and error.
Native Alternatives Worth Considering
If salty buckwheat proves too elusive, consider these more readily available native buckwheat relatives:
- Wild buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) – great for pollinators
- Desert trumpet (Eriogonum inflatum) – striking architectural form
- Sulfur flower (Eriogonum umbellatum) – beautiful yellow blooms
The Bottom Line
Salty buckwheat represents one of those fascinating native plants that exists in the wild but hasn’t made the jump to cultivation. While I’d love to give you a detailed care guide, the reality is that this plant is still waiting for some intrepid gardeners to figure out its garden potential.
If you’re up for a gardening challenge and want to contribute to our knowledge of native plant cultivation, salty buckwheat might just be your next adventure. Just remember – sometimes the most rewarding gardens are built one mystery plant at a time!
