Gold-of-Pleasure: A Hardy Annual with an Identity Crisis
Meet gold-of-pleasure, a plant that seems to have gotten a bit confused about its own name! While botanically listed as Camelina sativa alyssum in some references, this hardy annual forb has been quietly making its way across North American landscapes with little fanfare but plenty of resilience.
What Exactly Is Gold-of-Pleasure?
Gold-of-pleasure is a non-native annual to biennial forb that belongs to the mustard family. Don’t let the fancy name fool you – this is essentially an herbaceous plant without woody stems that completes its life cycle in one to two years. You might also encounter it under its scientific synonyms Camelina alyssum or Camelina dentata, because apparently even botanists can’t quite agree on what to call it!
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This adaptable little plant has established itself across several regions, primarily in the northern areas of North America. You’ll spot it thriving in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Minnesota, and North Dakota. It’s one of those introduced species that has learned to reproduce and persist on its own without any human babysitting.
- Species observed
- No observations
The Good, The Bad, and The Neutral
Here’s where gold-of-pleasure sits in that middle ground that makes gardeners scratch their heads. It’s not native to North America, but it’s also not flagged as invasive or particularly problematic. Think of it as the botanical equivalent of that neighbor who’s perfectly fine but not necessarily your first choice for a dinner party.
Since detailed information about this particular plant’s garden performance, growing requirements, and wildlife benefits remains elusive, it’s hard to make a strong case for why you’d specifically seek it out for your landscape.
Growing Conditions and Care
Based on its wetland status, gold-of-pleasure is pretty adaptable when it comes to moisture levels. It’s classified as Facultative Upland across multiple regions (Arid West, Great Plains, Midwest, and Western Mountains), which means it usually prefers drier ground but won’t throw a tantrum if it occasionally gets its feet wet.
As an annual to biennial forb, you can expect it to be relatively low-maintenance once established, though specific care requirements aren’t well-documented for garden cultivation.
Should You Plant It?
Here’s the thing about gold-of-pleasure: while it’s not problematic, there’s not a compelling reason to actively seek it out for your garden either. If you’re drawn to hardy annuals that can handle variable conditions, you might want to consider native alternatives that will better support local ecosystems.
Some native options to explore instead might include:
- Wild bergamot for pollinator support
- Native sunflowers for seasonal color
- Local wildflower mixes suited to your specific region
The Bottom Line
Gold-of-pleasure falls into that category of plants that are perfectly harmless but not particularly exciting. If you happen to encounter it in your travels or it shows up in a seed mix, it won’t cause problems. But if you’re planning a garden from scratch, you’ll probably find more rewarding options among native species that offer clearer benefits to both you and local wildlife.
Sometimes the most honest advice is simply: there are more interesting fish in the botanical sea!