Lunar Crater Buckwheat: A Rare Nevada Gem You Probably Shouldn’t Grow
Ever heard of a plant so rare that it’s found in only one place on Earth? Meet Lunar Crater buckwheat (Johanneshowellia crateriorum), a botanical treasure that’s as elusive as it sounds. This tiny annual forb calls Nevada’s remote Lunar Crater area home, and trust me, it’s not looking for roommates in your garden.
What Makes This Plant Special?
Lunar Crater buckwheat isn’t your average backyard flower. This native Nevada species belongs to the buckwheat family and produces the characteristic small, white to pinkish flowers that make buckwheats so charming. As an annual forb, it completes its entire life cycle in just one growing season, sprouting, flowering, setting seed, and dying back each year.
But here’s the kicker – this little plant has earned a Global Conservation Status of S1, which translates to Critically Imperiled. That’s conservation speak for we’re really worried about this one. With typically five or fewer known locations and very few remaining individuals (fewer than 1,000), this buckwheat is hanging on by a thread.
Where Does It Call Home?
The entire known range of Lunar Crater buckwheat is limited to Nevada, specifically the volcanic landscape around Lunar Crater. This isn’t your typical garden setting – we’re talking about harsh, high-elevation terrain with specialized volcanic soils that most plants would find downright hostile.
- Species observed
- No observations
Should You Grow Lunar Crater Buckwheat?
The short answer? Probably not.
Here’s why this rare beauty should stay wild:
- Conservation concerns: With so few plants remaining in the wild, every individual matters for the species’ survival
- Extremely specific needs: This plant has evolved for very particular volcanic soil and climate conditions that are nearly impossible to replicate
- Questionable availability: Any seeds or plants offered commercially are likely not from legitimate, conservation-minded sources
- Better alternatives exist: Nevada has plenty of other beautiful, less threatened buckwheat species
What About Responsible Growing?
If you’re absolutely determined to work with this species, the only ethical approach would be through official conservation programs or botanical institutions with proper permits and responsibly sourced material. Even then, such efforts should focus on habitat restoration rather than home cultivation.
Native Alternatives to Consider Instead
Nevada gardeners looking for that buckwheat charm have much better options:
- Desert buckwheat (Eriogonum deserti) – drought-tolerant with showy flower clusters
- Wild buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) – excellent for pollinators and water-wise gardens
- Cushion buckwheat (Eriogonum ovalifolium) – perfect for rock gardens
Supporting Conservation
The best way to appreciate Lunar Crater buckwheat is to support its conservation in the wild. Consider donating to organizations working to protect Nevada’s rare plants, or volunteer for habitat restoration projects. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do for a plant is to leave it alone.
The Bigger Picture
Lunar Crater buckwheat serves as a reminder that not every native plant belongs in our gardens. Some species are so specialized and rare that they’re best admired from afar (or through photographs). By choosing common native alternatives, we can create beautiful, wildlife-friendly landscapes while leaving the rare gems to thrive in their natural habitats.
After all, there’s something pretty special about knowing that somewhere in Nevada’s volcanic landscape, this little buckwheat is quietly doing its thing, just as it has for thousands of years. Let’s keep it that way.