Rare Tree Seedlings Find New Home in Scotland

Two seedlings from one of the world's rarest trees have been given a new home at Logan Botanic Garden in Dumfries and Galloway as part of an international effort to save the species from extinction. The dendroseris neriifolia, a rare tree daisy found only on Chile's Robinson Crusoe Island in the South Pacific, has faced significant threats from habitat loss, invasive species, and wildfires.

The species has seen a dramatic decline, with only eight wild specimens remaining by 1980. Despite reintroduction projects in the early 2000s, the species became vulnerable again after protection measures lapsed in 2017. The single remaining wild tree is currently supported by ropes on a steep cliff face.

In May, 29 seeds were collected from the lone tree and sent to the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Wakehurst. Eight seedlings successfully germinated, with two now transferred to Logan Botanic Garden, which is considered to have a climate suitable for rare Chilean plants. The other seedlings will remain at Kew.

Richard Baines, curator at Logan, stated that the arrival of the seedlings is a significant moment. "Experience shows that plant species from the Juan Fernández Islands do well at Logan," he said. "This is the start of an exciting new period. Creating a safe place for these seedlings, getting to know them, and learning more about their adaption to different environments, gives us the chance to contribute so much more."

Scientists involved in the project emphasized that this international collaboration is a critical step in preventing the extinction of a unique plant lineage and preserving a part of the natural heritage of the Juan Fernández archipelago. Diego Penneckamp, a scientist at Jardín Botánico VerdeNativo, described the effort as a "race against time."