Crow Broom (Tamonea boxiana): An Uncommon Shrub Worth Knowing About
If you’ve stumbled across the name crow broom in your plant research, you’ve discovered one of gardening’s more mysterious characters. Tamonea boxiana, commonly known as crow broom, is a perennial shrub that’s sparked curiosity among plant enthusiasts, though it remains relatively unknown in mainstream horticulture.
What Exactly is Crow Broom?
Crow broom is a multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically grows less than 13-16 feet tall, though it usually stays much smaller in most conditions. Like many shrubs, it develops several stems from near the ground, creating a bushy appearance that can vary depending on environmental factors.
This plant goes by a few scientific names you might encounter, including Ghinia boxiana and Ghinia spinosa, which can make research a bit like detective work!
Where Does Crow Broom Come From?
Here’s where things get interesting: crow broom is not native to the United States. It’s been introduced to Puerto Rico, where it has established itself and now reproduces on its own in the wild. Currently, Puerto Rico is the only U.S. territory where you’ll find this plant growing.
Should You Plant Crow Broom in Your Garden?
This is where we need to have an honest conversation. While crow broom isn’t necessarily a bad plant, there are some important considerations:
- Limited growing information makes it challenging for home gardeners
- Unknown invasive potential means we can’t predict its behavior in new environments
- Lack of documented wildlife benefits
- Uncertain hardiness zones and growing requirements
Better Alternatives to Consider
Instead of gambling with an unknown plant, why not choose native shrubs that offer proven benefits? Depending on your location, consider these fantastic alternatives:
- Native elderberry species for wildlife food
- Spicebush for butterfly habitat
- Native viburnums for year-round interest
- Serviceberry for spring flowers and fall color
If You’re Determined to Grow Crow Broom
Should you decide to pursue this botanical mystery, here’s what we know (which isn’t much!):
- It’s a perennial, so it should return year after year in suitable climates
- As a shrub, it likely prefers well-draining soil
- Growing conditions and care requirements are largely undocumented
- Propagation methods are unknown
Given the limited information available, growing crow broom would be quite experimental. You’d essentially become a citizen scientist, documenting its behavior in your specific climate and conditions.
The Bottom Line
While crow broom might sound intriguing, the lack of reliable growing information and unknown environmental impact make it a risky choice for most gardeners. Your time and energy would be better invested in well-documented native plants that provide guaranteed benefits to both your landscape and local wildlife.
Sometimes the most exotic-sounding plants aren’t worth the gamble, especially when there are so many proven native alternatives that can give you the garden success you’re looking for. Save the mystery plants for the botanists, and choose natives that will thrive and support your local ecosystem!
