Jusillo: A Rare Puerto Rican Native Tree Worth Protecting
Meet the jusillo (Henriettea squamulosum), a hidden gem of Puerto Rico’s native flora that deserves a spot in every conservation-minded gardener’s heart. This perennial tree might not be the showiest plant in your garden, but what it lacks in flashiness, it more than makes up for in ecological importance and unique charm.
A Tree with a Story
Jusillo is exclusively native to Puerto Rico, making it a true island endemic. Unfortunately, this beautiful tree has become increasingly rare in the wild, earning it a Global Conservation Status of S2, which means it’s considered Imperiled. With typically only 6 to 20 occurrences remaining and fewer than 3,000 individuals in existence, every jusillo tree planted in a garden becomes part of a crucial conservation effort.
This rarity status means that if you’re interested in growing jusillo, it’s essential to source your plants responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries or conservation organizations.
What Makes Jusillo Special
Jusillo is a medium-sized tree that can reach impressive heights of 30 feet at maturity, with some specimens potentially growing up to 50 feet over 20 years. Its single trunk and woody structure make it a classic tree form, though environmental conditions might occasionally encourage multi-stemmed growth or a more compact habit.
The tree produces small white flowers during summer, though they’re not particularly showy. The real beauty lies in its yellow-green foliage with medium texture that provides year-round interest since the leaves are retained throughout the year. Come fall and winter, you might spot brown fruits and seeds, though these aren’t especially conspicuous either.
Where Jusillo Thrives
This adaptable native has some specific preferences when it comes to growing conditions:
- Soil: Prefers coarse to medium-textured soils but struggles in fine-textured clay
- Moisture: As a facultative wetland plant, it usually grows in wetland areas but can adapt to drier sites
- Temperature: Needs frost-free conditions year-round with minimum temperatures above 40°F
- Fertility: Thrives with medium fertility levels
- Hardiness: Best suited for USDA zones 10-11
Growing Your Own Jusillo
If you’re lucky enough to source responsibly-grown jusillo plants, here’s what you need to know:
Propagation: Jusillo is typically grown from seed, with fruit and seed production occurring from fall through winter. The seeds don’t persist long, so timing is important for collection.
Planting: Give your tree plenty of space to grow, as mature specimens need room to reach their full 30-foot height. Plant spacing should allow for 320-640 trees per acre if you’re doing larger-scale plantings.
Root system: Plan for deep roots that extend at least 36 inches down, so avoid areas with shallow soil or underground utilities.
Garden Design Ideas
Jusillo works beautifully in:
- Native plant gardens focused on Puerto Rican species
- Conservation landscapes
- Rain gardens or areas with seasonal moisture
- Large residential properties with space for mature trees
- Educational gardens showcasing rare native species
The Conservation Connection
By choosing to plant jusillo, you’re not just adding a tree to your landscape—you’re participating in the preservation of Puerto Rico’s unique natural heritage. Every garden that includes this rare native helps ensure that future generations will have the chance to appreciate this special species.
While jusillo might not provide the instant gratification of faster-growing or more colorful plants, it offers something even more valuable: the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping protect a piece of Puerto Rico’s irreplaceable natural legacy, one garden at a time.
Remember, if you decide to grow jusillo, always source your plants from reputable suppliers who can verify that their stock was responsibly propagated and not collected from wild populations.
