The rediscovery of the Pernambuco holly tree
The Pernambuco holly tree was first collected for Western science by the naturalist George Gardner in 1838 while on an expedition in Brazil. This collection of the species was the only known confirmed sighting. The tree was once located in an area dominated by the tropical Atlantic Forest, stretching along the Atlantic coast of South America. The Atlantic Forest used to cover an area of at least 390,000 – 580,000 square miles.
Today, only 7% of the original forest area remains, while the rest has been transformed by urban sprawl with sugarcane plantations and pasture for cattle dispersed throughout. The Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world because it has lost over 90% of its original area due to agriculture, urbanization, logging, mining, and other human activities.
The Pernambuco holly tree, which can grow up to 12 metres high and be identified by its tiny green flowers, had not been seen since that first discovery. According to re:wild’s lost species project, which looks for plants, animals, and fungi that have been lost to science for between 10 to 100 years, the Pernambuco holly tree is one of the 25 “most wanted” lost plants. Among that list include the pink-headed duck, the Pondicherry shark, the fat Catfish, and more.
Scientists thought they would never see the Pernambuco holly tree again until recently when an expedition team searching Brazil’s Pernambuco state rediscovered the tree in Igarassu in northeastern Brazil. The team spent six days searching in different areas in the greater metropolitan area of the city of Recife when they found four trees. The team found two male and two female trees in a forested area on the banks of a small river.
Before the discovery, the research team had spent many months analyzing herbarium records to pinpoint an area where the Pernambuco holly trees might be found. The team followed clues from historical records, local knowledge, and satellite imagery, which eventually helped them to locate the tree.
A team from Jardim Botanico de Recife currently possesses the four Pernambuco holly trees and is returning to the site weekly to see if the trees are fruiting. The overall goal is to collect the seeds of the Pernambuco holly tree and germinate them. The research team also hopes to organize additional searches with other local partners to find more Pernambuco holly tree species individuals. They also want to develop plans to protect the forest in Receife better and establish a captive breeding program for the Pernambuco holly tree.
The Pernambuco holly is the ninth “most wanted lost species” to be rediscovered since 2017. Other species that have been rediscovered as part of the program include the Jackson’s climbing salamander in Guatemala, Voeltzkow’s chameleon in Madagascar, and the Sierra Leone crab in Sierra Leone.
It is amazing that after close to 200 years, a species that we thought was lost forever has been rediscovered, especially in an area that had undergone significant urban changes. It shows how resilient nature is and gives us hope that some of the other species, whether plants, animals, or fungi that are critically endangered or “lost”, might be found again. It takes a dedicated team to rediscover these species, and we hope to see more good news in the future.
The rediscovery of the Pernambuco holly tree is also a significant step forward towards restoring the ecological functions and services of the Atlantic Forest, which will help to protect more ecosystems and species. This rediscovery is a strong reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting our natural environment.
