Strickland’s Umbrellawort: A Pacific Northwest Native Worth Knowing
If you’re passionate about native gardening in the Pacific Northwest, you might be intrigued by a lesser-known gem called Strickland’s umbrellawort (Tauschia stricklandii). While this perennial forb isn’t exactly a household name in gardening circles, it represents the kind of unique native flora that makes our regional ecosystems so special.
What Is Strickland’s Umbrellawort?
Strickland’s umbrellawort is a native perennial herb that belongs to the carrot family (Apiaceae). As a forb, it’s an herbaceous plant without woody stems—think of it as nature’s way of creating soft, green texture in the landscape. You might also see it listed under its botanical synonym, Hesperogenia stricklandii, in older references.
Where Does It Call Home?
This Pacific Northwest native has a rather exclusive address, naturally occurring in just two states: Oregon and Washington. Its limited range makes it a true regional specialty—like a local craft beer that you can only get in certain neighborhoods.
The Mystery Plant: What We Know and Don’t Know
Here’s where Strickland’s umbrellawort gets interesting—and a bit mysterious. While we know it’s a native perennial that grows in the Pacific Northwest, detailed information about its cultivation, appearance, and specific growing requirements is surprisingly scarce. This isn’t unusual for many of our lesser-known native species that haven’t made their way into mainstream horticulture.
Why Consider This Native Plant?
Even with limited horticultural information, there are compelling reasons to be interested in Strickland’s umbrellawort:
- True regional native: Supporting plants that evolved specifically in your area helps maintain local ecosystem integrity
- Potential pollinator benefits: As a member of the carrot family, it likely provides nectar and pollen for native insects
- Conservation value: Growing native species helps preserve our regional plant heritage
- Unique character: Adding lesser-known natives creates distinctive, place-based gardens
The Challenge of Growing Strickland’s Umbrellawort
If you’re excited about adding this native to your garden, you’ll face the same challenge many native plant enthusiasts encounter: limited availability and cultivation information. Since specific growing conditions, propagation methods, and care requirements aren’t well-documented, growing this plant would be somewhat experimental.
However, if you’re up for an adventure and can source seeds or plants responsibly, you’d be contributing to our understanding of how native species perform in cultivated settings.
What This Means for Your Garden
For most gardeners, Strickland’s umbrellawort represents the frontier of native gardening—interesting and valuable, but not readily accessible. If you’re passionate about Pacific Northwest natives and have experience with experimental growing, this could be a fascinating project. For gardeners seeking well-documented native alternatives, consider other regional natives in the carrot family or consult with local native plant societies for similar species with known cultivation requirements.
The Bigger Picture
Plants like Strickland’s umbrellawort remind us that our native flora extends far beyond the common species found in garden centers. They represent the rich diversity that makes each region unique and highlight the ongoing need for botanical exploration and conservation—even in our own backyards.
Whether you end up growing this particular species or not, knowing about plants like Strickland’s umbrellawort deepens our appreciation for the complex web of native life that surrounds us in the Pacific Northwest.
