Clothed Umbrella Fern: A Rare Puerto Rican Native Worth Knowing
Meet the clothed umbrella fern (Sticherus brevipubis), a fascinating native fern that calls Puerto Rico home. While this perennial fern might not be sitting on your local nursery’s shelves, it’s worth getting to know this unique Caribbean species that adds to the incredible biodiversity of Puerto Rico’s native flora.
What Makes This Fern Special?
The clothed umbrella fern belongs to the Sticherus genus, which is known for its distinctive branching patterns that create umbrella-like fronds. As its botanical name suggests (you might also see it listed under its synonym Gleichenia brevipubis), this particular species has some unique characteristics that set it apart from its fern cousins.
Despite being classified in plant databases as a forb (a non-woody vascular plant), this is indeed a true fern. Like other perennial ferns, it lacks significant woody tissue above ground and maintains its growing points at or below the soil surface, allowing it to return year after year.
Where Does It Call Home?
This fern is exclusively native to Puerto Rico, making it a true endemic treasure of the Caribbean. You won’t find wild populations of Sticherus brevipubis anywhere else in the world, which makes it particularly special for Puerto Rican gardeners interested in showcasing their island’s unique botanical heritage.
Garden Potential and Habitat Preferences
The clothed umbrella fern has a facultative upland wetland status, which means it typically prefers drier conditions but can tolerate some moisture. This flexibility could make it an interesting choice for gardeners dealing with varying moisture levels in their landscape.
However, here’s where things get tricky: there’s very limited information available about this fern’s specific growing requirements, propagation methods, or availability in cultivation. This suggests it’s either quite rare or simply hasn’t made its way into mainstream horticulture yet.
Should You Grow It?
While the idea of growing a Puerto Rico-exclusive native fern sounds appealing, the reality is more complicated:
- Limited availability in nurseries or through typical plant sources
- Unknown cultivation requirements make successful growing challenging
- Unclear conservation status means responsible sourcing is crucial
- Better-documented native fern alternatives may be more practical choices
Alternative Native Ferns to Consider
If you’re drawn to the idea of incorporating native Puerto Rican ferns into your landscape, consider researching other well-documented native species that might be more readily available and easier to grow successfully. Your local native plant society or botanical garden may have recommendations for native ferns that are both conservation-friendly and garden-appropriate.
The Bottom Line
The clothed umbrella fern represents the fascinating diversity of Puerto Rico’s native plant life, but it’s not necessarily the best choice for most gardeners. Unless you’re a specialist in rare ferns with access to ethically sourced material and expertise in growing challenging species, you might want to start with more accessible native plants that can provide similar ecological benefits with greater success rates.
Sometimes the most responsible way to appreciate a rare native species is to support its conservation in the wild while choosing more suitable natives for our gardens.
