Derikel: A Rare Pacific Island Climbing Vine Worth Knowing About
If you’ve stumbled across the name derikel in your native plant research, you’ve discovered one of the Pacific’s more elusive climbing vines. Known botanically as Uncaria lanosa var. korrensis, this perennial climber represents the kind of specialized native plant that makes Pacific island ecosystems so fascinating—and so fragile.
What is Derikel?
Derikel is a twining, climbing vine that can develop woody or herbaceous stems as it matures. In Palau, it’s also known as ongaitong, reflecting its cultural significance in the region. This plant belongs to the broader Uncaria genus, which includes various climbing species found across tropical regions.
As a perennial, derikel establishes itself for the long haul, using its relatively long, flexible stems to climb and weave through other vegetation in its native habitat.
Where Does Derikel Grow Naturally?
Here’s where things get interesting—and a bit concerning from a conservation standpoint. Derikel has an extremely limited native range, found only in Guam and Palau in the western Pacific. This makes it a true island endemic, evolved specifically for these unique Pacific ecosystems.
This restricted distribution immediately tells us a few important things: derikel has very specific habitat requirements, it’s likely quite rare, and it may be vulnerable to environmental changes.
Should You Consider Growing Derikel?
Here’s the honest truth: growing derikel presents some significant challenges that most gardeners should carefully consider.
The Reality Check:
- Extremely limited availability – you’re unlikely to find this plant in nurseries
- Unknown growing requirements and hardiness zones
- Potential rarity concerns in its native habitat
- No established cultivation guidelines
If you’re gardening outside of Guam or Palau, derikel is probably not a practical choice for your landscape. The lack of cultivation information, combined with its narrow native range, suggests this vine is best left to specialized botanical collections and conservation efforts.
For Pacific Island Gardeners
If you’re gardening in Guam or Palau and interested in native species, derikel might be worth investigating—but proceed thoughtfully. Given its apparent rarity, any cultivation should only be attempted with responsibly sourced material, ideally through local conservation organizations or botanical institutions.
Before pursuing this plant, consider these alternatives that might better serve your native garden goals:
- Other native climbing vines that are better documented and more readily available
- Native plants with known wildlife benefits and established growing guidelines
- Species that local native plant societies actively propagate and promote
The Bigger Picture
Derikel represents something important in the world of native plants: the incredible specificity and vulnerability of island ecosystems. While it might not be the right choice for most gardens, its existence reminds us why preserving native habitats matters so much.
Pacific island plants like derikel have evolved in isolation, developing unique characteristics that make them perfectly suited to their home environments—but often nowhere else. These plants are living libraries of evolutionary adaptation, and many are facing pressure from habitat loss and climate change.
What This Means for Your Garden
Unless you’re specifically involved in Pacific island conservation work, derikel probably isn’t destined for your garden. But its story can inspire better choices: seek out native plants from your own region that are well-documented, readily available, and known to support local wildlife.
Every region has its own derikels—native species that might not be garden superstars but play crucial roles in local ecosystems. By choosing well-researched native plants appropriate to your area, you’re supporting the same kind of ecological relationships that make species like derikel so special in their Pacific island homes.
The world of native plants is full of fascinating discoveries, and sometimes the most interesting species are the ones that remind us to look closer to home for our gardening inspiration.
