San Bartolome: A Rare Caribbean Native Worth Knowing About
If you’re passionate about native plants and drawn to the unique flora of the Caribbean, you may have stumbled across the name San Bartolome (Cordia rickseckeri). This lesser-known shrub represents one of the more mysterious members of the native plant world, hailing from the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
What is San Bartolome?
San Bartolome, scientifically known as Cordia rickseckeri, is a perennial shrub native to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Like other shrubs, it’s a multi-stemmed woody plant that typically grows less than 13-16 feet tall, with several stems emerging from near ground level. You might also see it referenced by its botanical synonym, Sebesten rickseckeri.
Where Does It Grow?
This Caribbean native has a very limited natural range, found only in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its restricted distribution makes it a true regional specialty – a plant that’s perfectly adapted to the unique conditions of these tropical islands.
A Word of Caution: Rarity Matters
Here’s where things get interesting – and important. San Bartolome appears to be quite rare, with very limited information available about its cultivation, growing requirements, or even its appearance in the wild. This scarcity of information often indicates a plant that’s either naturally uncommon or has become increasingly rare due to habitat loss or other pressures.
If you’re considering adding this plant to your garden, proceed thoughtfully. Any San Bartolome you encounter should come from responsibly sourced, ethically propagated stock – never from wild collection. Supporting conservation through responsible gardening means ensuring rare plants like this one aren’t further threatened by collection from their natural habitats.
Growing Conditions and Care
Unfortunately, specific growing information for San Bartolome is quite limited. However, based on its Caribbean origins, we can make some educated guesses:
- Climate: Likely thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10-11, requiring warm, frost-free conditions year-round
- Environment: Probably prefers tropical or subtropical conditions similar to its native Caribbean habitat
- Care requirements: Unknown, but likely follows general tropical shrub care principles
Why You Might (or Might Not) Want to Grow It
Reasons to consider San Bartolome:
- It’s a true native if you’re gardening in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Supporting rare native plants through cultivation can contribute to conservation efforts
- It’s part of the unique Caribbean flora heritage
Reasons to think twice:
- Very limited availability and growing information
- Potential rarity concerns require careful sourcing
- May be challenging to grow without specific knowledge of its needs
- Better-documented native alternatives might be more practical choices
The Bottom Line
San Bartolome represents one of those fascinating plants that reminds us how much we still don’t know about our native flora. While its rarity and limited cultivation information make it challenging for most gardeners, it’s exactly these kinds of plants that make native gardening such an adventure.
If you’re gardening in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands and are passionate about preserving local flora, San Bartolome might be worth investigating – just remember to source it responsibly. For most gardeners, though, exploring other well-documented Caribbean natives might be a more practical starting point for supporting local ecosystems.
Sometimes the most important thing we can do for rare plants is simply to know they exist and respect their place in the natural world, even if we can’t grow them in our own gardens.
