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Rare Tree Seedlings Find New Home in Scotland
17 Sep
Summary
- Two seedlings from a critically endangered tree arrived in Scotland.
- The tree's only wild specimen clings to a cliff in South Pacific.
- International collaboration aims to prevent species extinction.
Conservationists have successfully relocated offspring of a critically endangered tree to south-west Scotland, bolstering efforts to prevent its extinction. Two seedlings from the last known wild dendroseris neriifolia have arrived at Logan Botanic Garden in Dumfries and Galloway, following an international collaborative rescue operation. This species, native to Robinson Crusoe Island in the South Pacific, has faced severe threats from habitat loss, invasive species, and wildfires.
The dendroseris neriifolia, a rare tree daisy, has seen a drastic decline. By 1980, only eight wild specimens remained. Despite reintroduction projects in the early 2000s, protection measures broke down in 2017, leaving the sole surviving wild tree vulnerable. This tree is currently supported by ropes on a steep volcanic outcrop.
In May of this year, 29 seeds were collected from the lone tree and sent to the Millennium Seed Bank. Eight seedlings germinated, with two now residing at Logan Botanic Garden, chosen for its suitable climate for Chilean plants. The remaining seedlings will stay at Kew. This initiative represents a significant step in preserving a unique plant lineage and safeguarding natural heritage.
