Schizaea dichotoma var. sellingii: A Rare Pacific Fern Worth Knowing
Meet one of the Pacific’s most elusive native plants! Schizaea dichotoma var. sellingii is a fascinating fern that calls some of our most remote Pacific territories home. While you probably won’t find this little beauty at your local garden center, it’s worth getting to know this unique member of our native flora.
What Exactly Is This Mysterious Fern?
Don’t let the scientific name intimidate you – this perennial fern is actually quite special. As a member of the forb family, it’s an herbaceous plant without any woody stems, which means it dies back to ground level and regrows from its roots each growing season. Think of it as nature’s own disappearing act!
What makes this fern particularly interesting is its incredibly limited range and the mystery surrounding much of its biology. It’s like the botanical equivalent of a rare gem – beautiful, valuable, and not something you encounter every day.
Where Does It Call Home?
This Pacific native has chosen some pretty exclusive real estate! You’ll find Schizaea dichotoma var. sellingii growing naturally in:
- Guam
- Palau
It’s native to the broader Pacific Basin (excluding Hawaii), making it a true child of the tropical Pacific islands.
Should You Try Growing It?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. This fern is so rare and specialized that there’s very little information available about successfully cultivating it in home gardens. If you’re lucky enough to live in its native range or a similar tropical climate, you might have a chance, but proceed with extreme caution.
The limited availability of information suggests this might be one of those look but don’t touch plants – better appreciated in its natural habitat than transplanted to gardens. If you’re interested in Pacific native ferns for your garden, consider researching other more readily available native species that might give you a similar aesthetic without the ecological concerns.
Growing Conditions (What We Think We Know)
Given its Pacific island origins, this fern likely prefers:
- Warm, tropical temperatures year-round
- High humidity levels
- Filtered sunlight or partial shade
- Well-draining but consistently moist soil
However, take these educated guesses with a grain of salt – successful cultivation would require much more specific research and potentially consultation with botanical experts familiar with Pacific flora.
The Bottom Line
Schizaea dichotoma var. sellingii is one of those plants that reminds us how much we still don’t know about our native flora. While it may not be destined for your backyard garden, it serves as a fascinating example of the unique plant life that calls our Pacific territories home.
If you’re passionate about native Pacific plants, consider supporting botanical research and conservation efforts that help protect rare species like this one in their natural habitats. Sometimes the best way to appreciate a plant is to ensure it continues thriving where nature intended it to grow.
For gardeners in tropical climates looking for native ferns, focus on better-documented species with established cultivation practices. Your local native plant society or botanical garden can point you toward Pacific natives that are both garden-worthy and well-understood by growers.
