The offspring of one of the world's rarest trees has been relocated to south-west Scotland as conservationists intensify efforts to prevent its extinction. Two seedlings from the last known wild dendroseris neriifolia tree have been moved to Logan Botanic Garden in Dumfries and Galloway.
This international rescue operation involved experts from Chile and the UK. The dendroseris neriifolia, a rare tree daisy found only on Chile's Robinson Crusoe Island, has been severely impacted by habitat loss, invasive species, and repeated wildfires.
The species now survives in the wild as a single tree, supported by ropes on a steep volcanic outcrop. In May of this year, 29 seeds were collected from this lone tree and sent to the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Wakehurst. Eight seedlings successfully germinated, with two now at Logan Botanic Garden, where the climate is considered suitable for rare Chilean plants. The remaining seedlings will stay at Kew.
Richard Baines, curator at Logan, stated that the garden could play a significant role in understanding the species and securing its future. Scientists involved in the project believe this collaboration offers a chance to prevent the extinction of a unique plant lineage.