Palau Cleidion: A Rare Pacific Island Native Worth Knowing About
If you’re a plant enthusiast with a passion for rare and unusual species, you might have stumbled across the intriguing Palau cleidion (Cleidion sessile). This lesser-known shrub hails from the remote Pacific islands and represents one of those botanical gems that few gardeners will ever encounter—but that doesn’t make it any less fascinating!
What is Palau Cleidion?
Palau cleidion is a perennial shrub that belongs to the Pacific Basin’s native flora. Like most shrubs, it’s a multi-stemmed woody plant that typically grows less than 13 to 16 feet in height, though it can sometimes surprise you by growing taller or developing a single stem depending on its growing conditions.
This plant is part of the unique ecosystem found in Guam and Palau, where it has adapted to the tropical island environment over countless generations.
Where Does It Come From?
The geographical story of Palau cleidion is quite specific—it’s native to the Pacific Basin, with its natural range including Guam and Palau. These tropical islands provide the perfect backdrop for this species, though it notably doesn’t extend to Hawaii despite being part of the broader Pacific native flora.
Should You Grow Palau Cleidion?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky for most gardeners. While Palau cleidion isn’t listed as invasive or noxious (which is great news!), there are several practical considerations to keep in mind:
- Limited availability: This isn’t a plant you’ll find at your local garden center
- Specific climate needs: Being from tropical Pacific islands, it likely requires warm, humid conditions year-round
- Lack of cultivation information: There’s very little documented experience with growing this species in typical garden settings
Growing Conditions and Care
Unfortunately, specific growing information for Palau cleidion is quite limited in horticultural literature. Based on its native habitat in Guam and Palau, we can make some educated guesses about its preferences:
- Climate: Likely requires tropical or subtropical conditions
- Temperature: Probably needs consistently warm temperatures with no frost
- Humidity: Being from Pacific islands, it likely appreciates higher humidity levels
- USDA Zones: Most likely suited to zones 10-12, if at all available for cultivation
The Reality Check
Let’s be honest—unless you live in a tropical climate similar to Guam or Palau, or you’re a specialized collector with greenhouse facilities, Palau cleidion probably isn’t the plant for your garden. The lack of available cultivation information, combined with its very specific native range, makes it more of a botanical curiosity than a practical landscaping choice.
Alternative Options
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing Pacific island natives but Palau cleidion isn’t accessible, consider looking into other tropical shrubs that are better documented and more readily available. Many botanical gardens and specialized nurseries offer Pacific island plants that are better suited to cultivation.
The Bottom Line
Palau cleidion represents the fascinating diversity of Pacific island flora, but it remains more of an interesting botanical footnote than a garden-ready plant for most of us. If you’re ever lucky enough to visit Guam or Palau, keep an eye out for this native shrub in its natural habitat—that might be the best way to appreciate this unique species!
For those passionate about rare plants, Palau cleidion serves as a reminder of how much botanical diversity exists in our world’s remote corners, even if we can’t always bring it home to our gardens.
