Stevens’ Lambsquarters: A Native Gem Worth Getting to Know
If you’ve never heard of Stevens’ lambsquarters (Chenopodium album var. stevensii), you’re not alone! This native North American plant tends to fly under the radar in gardening circles, but it deserves a closer look from anyone interested in supporting local ecosystems with indigenous plants.
What Exactly is Stevens’ Lambsquarters?
Stevens’ lambsquarters is an annual forb – essentially a non-woody plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Think of it as nature’s own quick-growing groundcover that pops up, does its thing, and gracefully exits stage left before winter arrives.
This plant goes by the botanical name Chenopodium album var. stevensii, and you might also see it referenced by its synonyms Chenopodium album ssp. dacoticum or Chenopodium album ssp. fallax in some plant databases. Don’t let the scientific names intimidate you – it’s just one plant with multiple ways of being classified!
Where Does Stevens’ Lambsquarters Call Home?
This hardy native has quite an impressive range across North America. You’ll find Stevens’ lambsquarters growing naturally from the Canadian prairies down through the northern United States. Specifically, it thrives in Manitoba, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The fact that it spans such diverse climates – from the prairie provinces to the Great Lakes region and even parts of California – tells us this is one adaptable plant!
Why Consider Growing Stevens’ Lambsquarters?
As a native species, Stevens’ lambsquarters brings several benefits to your garden ecosystem:
- It’s perfectly adapted to local growing conditions, meaning less work for you
- Native plants typically require fewer resources like water and fertilizer once established
- It supports local wildlife that have evolved alongside this species
- You’re preserving regional plant heritage by growing indigenous varieties
Because it’s an annual forb, Stevens’ lambsquarters can fill seasonal gaps in your garden design, providing temporary coverage and interest in areas that might otherwise look bare.
The Gardening Reality Check
Here’s where we need to be honest: detailed growing information specifically for Stevens’ lambsquarters is somewhat limited compared to more popular garden plants. This variety of lambsquarters isn’t commonly found in nurseries, and specific cultivation advice is scarce.
What we do know is that as an annual forb native to diverse regions from prairies to more temperate zones, it’s likely quite adaptable to different soil types and growing conditions. Most lambsquarters varieties are known for being somewhat weedy in nature – which can be either a blessing or a curse depending on your garden goals!
Finding and Growing Stevens’ Lambsquarters
If you’re interested in adding this native plant to your garden, your best bet is to:
- Contact native plant societies in regions where it naturally occurs
- Check with local botanical gardens or universities that maintain native seed collections
- Look for specialized native plant nurseries in the upper Midwest or prairie regions
- Consider participating in native plant seed swaps or exchanges
Since specific growing instructions for this variety are limited, you might want to treat it similarly to other annual native forbs: provide well-draining soil, adequate sunlight, and allow it space to self-seed if you want it to return naturally.
The Bottom Line
Stevens’ lambsquarters represents an interesting choice for gardeners who want to explore lesser-known native plants. While it may not be the showiest addition to your landscape, it offers the satisfaction of growing something truly indigenous to North America.
Just keep in mind that like many native annuals, it might have a somewhat wild growing habit that’s better suited to naturalized areas, prairie gardens, or wildlife-focused landscapes rather than formal flower beds.
If you can track down seeds or plants of Stevens’ lambsquarters, you’ll be adding a piece of North American botanical heritage to your garden – and that’s pretty special, even if this particular native prefers to keep a low profile!
