Willow Creek Dock: A Ghost Plant of the American Southwest
Sometimes in the world of native gardening, we encounter plants that serve as poignant reminders of what we’ve lost. Willow Creek dock (Rumex tomentellus) is one such plant – a perennial forb that once called the landscapes of New Mexico home, but now exists only in our botanical records and the hopes of researchers who continue searching for it in the wild.
A Plant Lost to Time
Willow Creek dock holds the sobering conservation status of SH – Possibly Extirpated. This means that while the plant was once documented growing naturally in New Mexico, it’s known only from historical records today. Scientists and botanists still hold out hope for its rediscovery, but decades have passed since the last confirmed sighting.
This native dock species was historically found only in New Mexico, making it endemic to a very small geographic area. Its limited range likely contributed to its vulnerability and possible disappearance from the landscape.
What We Know (And Don’t Know)
As a member of the dock family, Willow Creek dock was a herbaceous perennial – meaning it would have returned year after year without developing woody stems. Like other forbs, it likely played a role in the ecosystem as a food source and habitat component, though the specific details of its ecological relationships remain largely undocumented.
Unfortunately, much about this plant remains a mystery. We don’t know:
- What it looked like in full growth
- Its preferred growing conditions
- How it reproduced and spread
- What wildlife depended on it
- Why it disappeared
Why You Can’t (And Shouldn’t) Plant It
Here’s the straightforward answer: you cannot plant Willow Creek dock because it’s possibly extinct in the wild. No seeds, plants, or propagation material are available through any legitimate channels. Even if someone claimed to have it, the plant’s extremely rare status means that any remaining specimens (if they exist) should be left undisturbed for potential conservation efforts.
This situation highlights an important principle in native gardening: some plants are too rare or vulnerable to cultivate, even with the best intentions.
Honoring the Memory Through Better Choices
While we can’t grow Willow Creek dock, we can honor its memory by making thoughtful choices about the native plants we do cultivate. Consider these New Mexico natives that are still thriving and available for gardens:
- Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis)
- New Mexico locust (Robinia neomexicana)
- Chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata)
- Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata)
A Lesson in Conservation
Willow Creek dock’s story serves as a powerful reminder of why native plant conservation matters. Every time we choose native plants for our gardens, support habitat preservation, and avoid invasive species, we’re working to prevent other plants from following the same path toward extinction.
While we may never see Willow Creek dock growing again, its legacy can inspire us to be better stewards of the native plants that still grace our landscapes. Sometimes the most important plants are the ones that teach us what we stand to lose.
