The Pernambuco holly (Ilex sapiiformis) tree has been identified by scientists for the first time since 1838
Fred Jordão
Scientists in northeast Brazil have rediscovered a holly tree in a city, nearly two centuries after it was last seen.
Four Pernambuco holly (Ilex sapiiformis) trees with their tiny white blossoms were discovered in the forests of Igarassu after several months of research and six days of searching, headed by Gustavo Martinelli of the environmental consultancy business Navia Biodiversity in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Since Scottish scientist George Gardner first identified the tree species in 1838, no other sightings have been reported.
Two unverified samples of the Pernambuco holly were collected from the area in 1962 and 2007, leading Martinelli and his colleagues in the right direction to find the elusive trees.
The Pernambuco holly is a tall tree (up to 12 metres) that blends in with its congeners too well to be easily identified.
Even more remarkably, the researchers add, the trees were discovered in a metropolitan area that is home to roughly 6 million people, making the observation even more unusual. This area, formerly covered in lush tropical forest in the Atlantic, is now dominated by cities and sugar cane farms.
Upon discovering Ilex sapiiformis, “it seemed that the world had stopped turning its gears,” researcher Juliana Alencar remarked in a press release.
Because the male and female reproductive organs of the Pernambuco holly are located on different plants, we classify this species as dioecious. The team determined that two of the trees were male and two were female.
The trees will now be studied by researchers at Brazil’s Botanical Garden in Recife, who will think about the best ways to preserve the species. They hope to collect the seeds from the fruiting trees and will check on them every week.
In the Search for Lost Species project developed by the conservation group Re:wild in Austin, Texas, the Pernambuco holly is listed as one of the 25 most wanted lost species. Also, it’s the ninth object that science has rediscovered since the research began in 2017.
“We don’t often think of plants as being lost to science because they don’t move like animals,” Christina Biggs at Re:wild said in the statement.
“This tree is a perfect example of why it is important to keep looking even if a plant hasn’t been seen in 186 years; it could still be hanging on in the last vestiges of the wild somewhere.”
FAQs
Q1: What is the Pernambuco holly tree?
A1: The Pernambuco holly (Ilex sapiiformis) is a rare tree species found in Brazil, known for its tiny white blossoms.
Q2: How long had it been since the Pernambuco holly was last seen?
A2: The tree was last seen nearly two centuries ago, with no confirmed sightings since 1838.
Q3: How were the trees rediscovered?
A3: Scientists located the trees after several months of research and an extensive six-day search led by Gustavo Martinelli.
Q4: Where were the Pernambuco holly trees found?
A4: The trees were found in the forests of Igarassu, a metropolitan area in northeast Brazil.
Q5: Why is this rediscovery significant?
A5: The rediscovery of this rare tree species holds importance for biodiversity conservation and marks a rare find in a densely populated urban area.
