Travels in Formosa Fall 2024

Arlen Hill | 03 February, 2025


          
            Travels in Formosa Fall 2024

Taiwan has been on the list for quite a few years. This past fall I was finally able to get a trip together with Shayne Chandler for a quick and intensive first foray into the mountains. We both agreed that there is so much more to see.  Taiwan is a relatively small island nation with an area of 35,808 square kilometers (13,826 square miles) with two mountain ranges running down the center. There are hundreds of temperate mountain peaks rising from lower flatter fertile land of subtropical to tropical climate. Due to its maritime climate and mountainous terrain clouds funnel up the peaks.  This by far is the greenest place I have experienced. Formosa literally means Beautiful Island.  Earthquakes and typhoons regularly hit the island often making the steep roads and terrain impassable. Road work is a constant where the roads are cut into the steep gorges of the mountains.  According to the Flora of Taiwan currently there are 4,077 species of native plants in Taiwan with up to 1,067 of which being endemic.  It is hard to describe the combination of plants.  There is a unique juxtaposition of subtropical type plants growing mixed with more typical type temperate plants.  Shayne and I were blown away with the massive size of Tetrapanax and their deeply lobed leaves growing with huge old growth conifers and many other temperate plants.   


Tetrapanax papyrifera in old growth broad-leaf and coniferous forest

Fatsia polycarpa

Acer serrulatum a rare species in cultivation can be a bit variable in the wild with each one having its own unique shape. Found growing at mid to higher elevations in mixed coniferous and deciduous woodlands.  We have a good number of Acer serrulatum seedling coming along already so look for these becoming available later in the season.

Cyathea (Alsophila) spinulosa. Our collections of these prehistoric beauties are already underway but yes, they are tree ferns so getting anything with size will take years.  Oh well, it's still worth it.

Cibotium taiwanense a huge tree fern without a trunk but with ten foot or more long, arching black stipes with massive fronds that have a silver-white underside.  These are also in production at the moment so stay tuned.

Plagiogryria glauca, a fantastic fern that looks like a large Blechnum type with silver white underside of the fronds.

Arisaema taiwanense silver leaf.  We have grown this species for years but seeing it's growth in the wild was stunning.  Stalks up to more than 3 feet tall with whorled silver leaves to more than 2' across.

Many large and dangerous looking Caterpillar with warning hairs covering its body. 

Eriobotrya deflexa is still fairly rare in cultivation with its orange new growth and grape sized yellow-orange fragrant, edible fruit in fall.  Shayne made me a bit nervous dangling over a cliff while hanging on to a branch reaching as many of the fruit as he could.  I know the feeling of thinking just a little further when that is the first and last plant with seed on it that you have seen all trip.  Luckily we made some good collections of this species that are doing well and will be available later in the season.

Calanthe reflexa. one of those plants that you wish you could replicate its beauty in cultivation.  Found growing on moist, humusy banks at mid to lower elevations mixed with ferns, Begonias, Arisaem, and Gesnariads.  Taiwan must not have slugs! 

Begonia formosana was quite abundant with uniform large patches of green leaves and mid to light pink blossoms.  We found this better deep pink form that we have in production.

Leucosceptrum stellipilum

Hydrangea longifolia. Nothing like a fall blooming species of Hydrangea.  What a stunning plant with pink-purple tinged blue fertile flowers and large white infertile florets. 

Pteris wallichiana

Sinopanax formosana growing out of a cliff with maples.  The typical hard to access steep, mountain terrain.  This was the one plant both of us really wanted to see in the wild.  In our zone 7 garden, it has had no issues with temperatures getting down to the single digits.  It is so surprising how hardy this genus is.

Viola formosana has more of a thick, fleshy tuber and found at mid to higher elevations.  The thick, fleshy leaves have a very interesting variegation.  Purple to pale bluish-white flowers with darker veining.  I am a sucker for names, especially names describing the place where plants are found.  When I imagine the name I can picture where they grow and it is almost like being there.

We had a marvelous adventure in Taiwan.  Now off  to central Chile on our next adventure. 

Watch for postings as the plants become available.