Schell Creek Draba: A Rare Nevada Native Worth Protecting
Have you ever heard of a plant so rare that it exists in only a handful of locations worldwide? Meet the Schell Creek draba (Draba pennellii), a tiny but mighty native perennial that calls Nevada’s remote mountain ranges home. This little-known wildflower might not be destined for your garden beds, but its story is absolutely worth telling.
What Makes Schell Creek Draba Special?
Schell Creek draba is what botanists call a forb – essentially an herbaceous flowering plant that lacks woody stems. Think of it as nature’s version of a perennial herb, designed to survive harsh mountain conditions year after year. This tough little plant belongs to the mustard family and produces the characteristic small white flowers you’d expect from its relatives.
What truly sets this plant apart isn’t just its beauty, but its incredible rarity. With a Global Conservation Status of S2, Schell Creek draba is considered imperiled, with only 6 to 20 known occurrences and an estimated 1,000 to 3,000 individual plants remaining in the wild.
Where Does It Call Home?
This Nevada native is found exclusively in the Silver State, specifically in the mountainous regions that give the plant its common name. The Schell Creek draba has adapted to life in Nevada’s unique high-elevation ecosystems, where it faces extreme temperature swings, intense UV radiation, and limited growing seasons.
Should You Grow Schell Creek Draba?
Here’s where we need to have an honest conversation. While Schell Creek draba would certainly be a conversation starter in any native plant collection, there are several important reasons why most gardeners should admire this plant from afar:
- Rarity concerns: With so few plants remaining in the wild, any collection should only use responsibly sourced, propagated material – which is extremely difficult to find
- Specialized needs: This mountain native requires very specific growing conditions that are nearly impossible to replicate in typical garden settings
- Conservation priority: Energy is better spent protecting existing wild populations than attempting cultivation
Growing Conditions (If You Must Try)
For the truly dedicated native plant enthusiast with access to responsibly sourced material, Schell Creek draba would likely need:
- Excellent drainage – think rocky, gravelly soils
- Cool temperatures and protection from extreme heat
- Minimal water during dormant periods
- A location that mimics high-elevation conditions
- USDA hardiness zones estimated around 4-7
Even with perfect conditions, success would be far from guaranteed. This isn’t a plant for beginners or even most experienced gardeners.
Better Alternatives for Your Garden
Instead of attempting to grow this rare beauty, consider these more readily available Nevada natives that can bring similar charm to your landscape:
- Desert penstemon for colorful tubular flowers
- Nevada goldfields for cheerful yellow blooms
- Purple sage for aromatic foliage and wildlife value
- Indian paintbrush for vibrant red-orange colors
Supporting Conservation Efforts
The best way to help Schell Creek draba thrive is by supporting organizations that work to protect Nevada’s unique ecosystems. Consider donating to local botanical societies, participating in citizen science projects, or simply spreading awareness about the importance of protecting rare native plants.
Sometimes the most beautiful gardens are the ones we leave untouched in the wild. Schell Creek draba serves as a reminder that not every plant needs to be in cultivation to be valuable – some are perfect exactly where nature placed them, adding irreplaceable diversity to our world’s botanical tapestry.
