Lappula diploloma: A Mysterious Native Worth Knowing About
If you’ve stumbled upon the name Lappula diploloma in your native plant research, you’ve discovered one of North America’s more elusive botanical mysteries. This little-known member of the borage family (Boraginaceae) represents the fascinating world of native plants that exist just beyond the reach of mainstream gardening consciousness.
What We Know (And Don’t Know) About This Enigmatic Native
Lappula diploloma belongs to a genus commonly known as stickseed – a name that hints at the clingy nature of their small, bur-like fruits. However, unlike its better-known relatives, this particular species remains something of a botanical wallflower, with limited documentation in both scientific literature and gardening guides.
The species appears to be native to western North America, likely inhabiting the same dry, open habitats preferred by other Lappula species. These plants typically thrive in areas with well-drained soils and plenty of sunshine – think high desert, grasslands, and rocky slopes.
Should You Try Growing Lappula diploloma?
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit challenging). The scarcity of information about this species makes it difficult to provide definitive growing advice. If you’re considering adding it to your garden, here are some important considerations:
The Reality Check
- Availability: Finding seeds or plants may prove nearly impossible through commercial sources
- Growing requirements: While we can make educated guesses based on related species, specific needs remain largely unknown
- Garden performance: Its ornamental value and garden behavior are largely untested
If You’re Determined to Try
Should you somehow acquire seeds or encounter this plant in the wild (please don’t harvest from wild populations!), here’s what we can reasonably assume about its care based on related species:
- Soil: Well-draining, possibly sandy or rocky soils
- Water: Likely drought-tolerant once established, minimal supplemental watering
- Sun: Full sun exposure
- Climate: Adapted to arid or semi-arid conditions
Better Alternatives for Your Native Garden
Given the challenges of growing Lappula diploloma, you might consider these well-documented native alternatives that offer similar ecological benefits:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda species): Excellent pollinator plants with documented growing requirements
- Native penstemons: Drought-tolerant with showy flowers and proven garden performance
- Local native wildflowers: Species specifically adapted to your region with available growing information
The Bigger Picture
While Lappula diploloma might not become the star of your native plant garden anytime soon, its existence reminds us of the incredible diversity of North American flora. Many native species remain understudied and underappreciated, existing in specialized habitats and playing important ecological roles we’re only beginning to understand.
If you’re passionate about native plant conservation, supporting botanical research, seed banking efforts, and habitat preservation helps ensure that mysterious species like Lappula diploloma continue to thrive in their natural environments – even if they never make it into our garden catalogs.
The Bottom Line
Lappula diploloma represents one of those fascinating what if plants that spark curiosity but offer little practical growing guidance. While we can’t recommend it as a reliable garden addition, its story highlights the importance of native plant diversity and the ongoing work needed to understand and preserve our botanical heritage.
For most gardeners, focusing on well-documented native species with proven garden performance and available propagation material will yield better results and greater conservation impact. Save the botanical detective work for the researchers – your garden (and local ecosystem) will thank you for choosing natives with a track record of success.
