Bedgrass: A Lesser-Known Native Treasure from Puerto Rico
Meet bedgrass (Ichnanthus), a charming native grass that calls Puerto Rico home. While this plant might not be making headlines in gardening magazines, it represents the kind of authentic, locally-adapted species that can add genuine character to the right landscape. If you’re gardening in tropical or subtropical regions and love supporting native ecosystems, bedgrass might just be worth getting to know.
What Makes Bedgrass Special?
Bedgrass belongs to that wonderful world of grasses and grass-like plants that form the backbone of many natural landscapes. As both an annual and perennial (meaning it can complete its lifecycle in one year or persist for multiple years depending on conditions), this adaptable grass shows the kind of flexibility that makes native plants so valuable in sustainable gardening.
What’s particularly appealing about bedgrass is its authentic connection to Puerto Rican ecosystems. When you plant native species like this, you’re not just adding greenery to your space – you’re participating in the preservation of regional plant heritage and supporting the complex web of relationships that make local ecosystems thrive.
Where Does Bedgrass Call Home?
Bedgrass is native to Puerto Rico, where it has evolved alongside the island’s unique climate and ecosystem conditions. Currently, it’s documented as growing in Puerto Rico, making it a true Caribbean native with a relatively limited natural range.
Should You Grow Bedgrass in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit challenging. While bedgrass has all the makings of a wonderful native plant choice, detailed growing information is surprisingly limited. This is actually pretty common with lesser-known native species that haven’t yet caught the attention of mainstream horticulture.
If you’re gardening in Puerto Rico or similar tropical conditions, bedgrass could be an excellent choice for:
- Naturalistic landscape designs that celebrate local plant communities
- Ground cover applications in informal garden areas
- Supporting native wildlife that may depend on indigenous grass species
- Creating authentic tropical garden environments
Growing Conditions and Care
Based on its Puerto Rican origins, bedgrass likely thrives in warm, tropical conditions. If you’re outside of its native range, you’ll probably need to be in USDA hardiness zones 10-11 to grow it successfully outdoors year-round.
While specific growing requirements aren’t well-documented, most tropical native grasses appreciate:
- Well-draining soil that doesn’t stay waterlogged
- Regular moisture during establishment
- Warm temperatures year-round
- Protection from cold snaps if you’re on the edge of its comfort zone
The Challenge of Lesser-Known Natives
Here’s the honest truth about bedgrass: it represents both the promise and the challenge of working with lesser-known native species. While supporting native plants is always admirable, finding reliable growing information, seeds, or plants can be tricky for species that aren’t commercially popular.
If you’re determined to grow bedgrass, your best bet might be connecting with native plant societies in Puerto Rico, botanical gardens that specialize in Caribbean flora, or researchers who work with tropical grasses. Sometimes the most rewarding gardening adventures come from these kinds of plant detective missions!
Supporting Native Plant Communities
Whether or not you end up growing bedgrass specifically, it serves as a great reminder of the incredible diversity of native plants waiting to be discovered and appreciated. Every region has its own collection of lesser-known natives that could use more attention and support.
If bedgrass isn’t available or practical for your situation, consider exploring other native grasses from your region. The principles remain the same: choose plants that evolved in your area, support local ecosystems, and help preserve the unique character of your local landscape.
Sometimes the most interesting gardens are built not just on what’s popular or easy to find, but on the stories and connections that plants like bedgrass represent – authentic pieces of our natural heritage that deserve a place in our cultivated landscapes.
