Parquet Bur: A Tropical Shrub with Limited Garden Appeal
Meet the parquet bur (Triumfetta bogotensis), a perennial shrub that’s found its way from tropical South America to the U.S. Virgin Islands. While this plant has managed to establish itself in Caribbean landscapes, it’s not exactly what you’d call a garden showstopper. Let’s dive into what makes this somewhat mysterious plant tick and whether it deserves a spot in your landscape.
What Exactly Is Parquet Bur?
Parquet bur is a multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically stays under 13-16 feet tall, though it can occasionally grow taller or develop a single stem depending on growing conditions. As a perennial, it’s built to stick around for the long haul, which explains how it’s managed to naturalize in the Virgin Islands despite not being native to the region.
The plant originally hails from tropical South America, likely around the Bogotá region of Colombia (hence the species name bogotensis). Like many members of the Triumfetta genus, it probably sports small yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves, though specific details about this particular species are surprisingly scarce in gardening literature.
Where Does It Grow?
In the United States, you’ll only find parquet bur growing wild in the Virgin Islands, where it has successfully established itself and reproduces without human intervention. This non-native plant has proven it can thrive in tropical Caribbean conditions.
Should You Plant Parquet Bur?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While parquet bur isn’t currently listed as invasive, its ability to naturalize and persist in the Virgin Islands suggests it’s pretty good at spreading on its own. For most gardeners, especially those outside tropical zones, this plant probably isn’t the best choice for several reasons:
- Limited ornamental value compared to other tropical shrubs
- Scarce information about cultivation requirements
- Non-native status means it won’t support local wildlife as effectively as native plants
- Unknown long-term impacts on local ecosystems
Native Alternatives to Consider
Instead of parquet bur, consider these native alternatives that will better support your local ecosystem:
- For tropical/subtropical gardens: Native Malvaceae family shrubs
- For temperate gardens: Regional native shrubs with similar growth habits
- Consult your local native plant society for the best options in your specific area
If You’re Determined to Grow It
Should you decide to grow parquet bur despite its limitations, here’s what we can reasonably assume about its care based on its native range and naturalized habitat:
- Likely prefers warm, tropical conditions year-round
- Probably needs well-draining soil
- May require protection from cold temperatures
- Limited to USDA zones that don’t experience frost
However, given the lack of specific cultivation information, growing this plant would be somewhat experimental. You’d be better served choosing a well-documented tropical shrub with known garden performance.
The Bottom Line
Parquet bur falls into that category of plants that exist in the horticultural world but don’t really shine in garden settings. While it’s not necessarily harmful to grow, it doesn’t offer compelling reasons to choose it over better-documented, more ornamental, or native alternatives. Sometimes the most interesting thing about a plant is learning that not every species needs to be in cultivation – and that’s perfectly okay!
If you’re passionate about tropical shrubs, consider exploring native options or well-established non-native species with proven garden value. Your local pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects will thank you for making choices that support the broader ecosystem.
