Woodland Tribisee: A Caribbean Native Grass Worth Knowing
If you’re gardening in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands and love supporting native plants, you might want to get acquainted with woodland tribisee (Lasiacis sorghoidea var. patentiflora). This perennial grass is one of those quiet natives that doesn’t get much fanfare, but deserves a spot in conversations about Caribbean flora.
What Is Woodland Tribisee?
Woodland tribisee is a perennial graminoid – that’s botanical speak for a grass or grass-like plant. As part of the grass family, it brings that familiar texture and movement that makes landscapes feel alive and natural. You might also see it listed under its scientific synonym, Lasiacis patentiflora, in older botanical references.
Where Does It Call Home?
This grass is a true Caribbean native, naturally occurring in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It’s one of those plants that has evolved specifically for island life, making it perfectly adapted to local conditions that would challenge many introduced species.
Why Consider Woodland Tribisee for Your Garden?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky – woodland tribisee is one of those plants that botanists know exists, but gardeners rarely talk about. There’s limited information available about its cultivation, which means it’s flying under the radar in the native plant world.
However, there are some compelling reasons to be interested:
- It’s a true native, which means it supports local ecosystems
- As a perennial, it comes back year after year once established
- Grasses generally provide habitat and food sources for local wildlife
- Native plants are typically better adapted to local climate conditions
The Challenge: Limited Growing Information
Here’s the honest truth – detailed growing information for woodland tribisee is scarce. This could mean several things: it might be rare, it might not be commonly cultivated, or it simply hasn’t caught the attention of gardening writers yet.
Based on its common name and native habitat, we can make some educated guesses about its preferences:
- Likely thrives in woodland or partially shaded conditions
- Probably adapted to USDA zones 10-11 (tropical/subtropical)
- May prefer the kind of conditions found in Caribbean forests
Should You Plant It?
If you’re in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands and passionate about native plants, woodland tribisee could be worth seeking out – but with some caveats. Since information about its cultivation is limited, you’d be somewhat pioneering if you decide to grow it.
Before planting, try to:
- Source plants or seeds responsibly from reputable native plant suppliers
- Observe where it grows naturally in your area to understand its preferred conditions
- Start small to see how it performs in your specific garden conditions
- Connect with local botanical gardens or native plant societies for advice
The Bottom Line
Woodland tribisee represents one of those interesting challenges in native gardening – a plant that’s clearly part of the local ecosystem but hasn’t made the jump into common cultivation. If you’re the type of gardener who enjoys supporting native species and doesn’t mind a bit of experimentation, this Caribbean grass could be an interesting addition to your plant palette.
Just remember, with limited cultivation information available, you’d be part of building the knowledge base about how this native grass performs in garden settings. Sometimes the most rewarding plants are the ones that make you work a little harder to understand them.
