Stonecrop Gilia: A Critically Rare Colorado Native Worth Protecting
Meet stonecrop gilia (Aliciella sedifolia), one of Colorado’s most endangered native wildflowers. This tiny annual forb might not be the showstopper you’re thinking of adding to your garden border, but it represents something far more valuable: a critically imperiled piece of our natural heritage that desperately needs our protection.
What Makes This Plant Special
Stonecrop gilia belongs to the phlox family and was previously classified as Gilia sedifolia. As an annual forb, this herbaceous plant completes its entire life cycle in just one growing season, making each year crucial for its survival. Unlike woody plants that persist year after year, this delicate wildflower must successfully reproduce annually to maintain its precarious foothold in the wild.
Where You’ll Find It (If You’re Lucky)
This rare gem calls Colorado home, though finding it is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Stonecrop gilia has earned a Global Conservation Status of S1, meaning it’s critically imperiled with typically five or fewer known occurrences and very few remaining individuals—we’re talking fewer than 1,000 plants total.
The Hard Truth About Growing Stonecrop Gilia
Here’s where we need to have an honest conversation. While stonecrop gilia is undoubtedly a fascinating native plant, it’s not a species that home gardeners should attempt to grow. Its critically imperiled status means that:
- Seeds and plants are not commercially available
- Removing any material from wild populations could push the species toward extinction
- Its specific growing requirements are not well understood
- Conservation efforts require specialized knowledge and permits
How You Can Help Instead
Rather than trying to grow this rare beauty, here are meaningful ways to support stonecrop gilia and other imperiled Colorado natives:
- Support local botanical gardens and native plant societies involved in conservation
- Choose other Colorado native plants for your garden that provide similar ecological benefits
- Participate in citizen science projects that help monitor rare plant populations
- Advocate for habitat protection in areas where rare plants occur
Better Alternatives for Your Garden
If you’re drawn to Colorado’s native flora, consider these more common and garden-appropriate alternatives:
- Rocky Mountain penstemon for similar native appeal
- Colorado four o’clock for native forb characteristics
- Wild bergamot for pollinator benefits
- Blanketflower for annual color
The Conservation Message
Stonecrop gilia serves as a powerful reminder that not every native plant is suited for garden cultivation. Sometimes the most important thing we can do as gardeners is to leave rare species in their natural habitats and focus our efforts on growing more common natives that can provide similar ecological benefits without conservation concerns.
By choosing abundant native plants over rare ones, we can still create beautiful, wildlife-friendly gardens while ensuring that critically imperiled species like stonecrop gilia have the best chance of survival in the wild. After all, the most beautiful garden is one that contributes to conservation rather than threatening it.
