Sticky Tansyaster: A Rare Native Wildflower Worth Protecting
Meet the sticky tansyaster (Machaeranthera viscida), a charming little wildflower that’s as rare as it is beautiful. This annual native might not be the flashiest plant in your garden, but it carries an important story about conservation and the delicate balance of our southwestern ecosystems.
What Makes Sticky Tansyaster Special?
Don’t let the name fool you – while sticky tansyaster might sound a bit unglamorous, this native forb produces lovely daisy-like flowers that would make any wildflower enthusiast smile. The blooms feature cheerful yellow centers surrounded by delicate purple or lavender petals, creating a classic wildflower appearance that fits perfectly into natural landscapes.
True to its name, the plant has a somewhat sticky, glandular texture to its foliage, which actually serves as a natural defense mechanism. As an annual herb, sticky tansyaster completes its entire life cycle in one growing season, making it a quick but ephemeral addition to the landscape.
Where Does It Call Home?
Sticky tansyaster is a true southwestern native, calling New Mexico and Texas home. This limited geographic distribution is part of what makes the plant so special – and so vulnerable. Within these two states, you’ll find this wildflower growing in its natural desert and semi-desert habitats.
A Plant in Need of Protection
Here’s where things get serious: sticky tansyaster is considered imperiled, with a Global Conservation Status of S2. This means there are typically only 6 to 20 known occurrences of this plant in the wild, with somewhere between 1,000 to 3,000 individual plants remaining. In plant conservation terms, that’s extremely rare and vulnerable.
If you’re interested in growing sticky tansyaster, please proceed with caution and responsibility. Only obtain seeds or plants from reputable native plant societies or conservation groups that can verify the material was ethically sourced. Never collect from wild populations – every plant in nature is crucial for the species’ survival.
Garden Role and Landscape Value
When responsibly sourced, sticky tansyaster can play a valuable role in:
- Native plant gardens focused on southwestern species
- Wildflower meadows and naturalized areas
- Xeriscape gardens that celebrate drought-tolerant natives
- Conservation gardens aimed at preserving rare species
The plant works best in informal, naturalistic settings where its wild character can shine. Don’t expect a tidy, manicured appearance – this is a plant that embraces the beautiful chaos of nature.
Pollinator and Wildlife Benefits
Like many members of the aster family, sticky tansyaster serves as an important pollinator plant. Its daisy-like flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Given its rarity, every plant that blooms represents a crucial resource for local pollinators in its native range.
Growing Conditions and Care
If you’re fortunate enough to obtain responsibly sourced seeds, sticky tansyaster prefers:
- Sun exposure: Full sun for best flowering
- Soil: Well-draining soil that mimics its desert origins
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, minimal watering needed
- Climate: Best suited for USDA hardiness zones 7-9
Planting and Care Tips
Growing sticky tansyaster requires patience and a light touch:
- Direct seed in fall or early spring when temperatures are mild
- Barely cover seeds – they need light to germinate
- Water gently until germination, then reduce watering significantly
- Allow plants to self-seed for potential future generations
- Avoid fertilizers, which can harm this desert-adapted plant
The Bottom Line
Sticky tansyaster represents both the beauty and fragility of our native plant heritage. While it’s a wonderful addition to appropriate gardens, its rarity means that growing it comes with responsibility. If you can’t source it ethically, consider supporting conservation efforts for this species instead, or choose other native southwestern wildflowers that are more readily available.
Every rare plant we protect today is a gift we give to future generations. Sticky tansyaster may be small and humble, but it carries the irreplaceable genetic heritage of millions of years of evolution. That’s worth celebrating – and protecting.
