Amazing Story of the Holly Tree That Survived in a Brazilian City for Nearly 185 Years

A team of scientists and conservationists has found a rare species of small holly tree that was last seen by Western science in 1838.

The tree, called the Pernambuco holly or Ilex sapiiformis, was thought to be extinct until the team spotted it in an urban area in northeastern Brazil.

The discovery is a remarkable example of nature's resilience and a hopeful sign for the conservation of biodiversity.

A Long-Lost Species

(Photo : OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

The Pernambuco holly was first documented by a Scottish biologist who collected specimens of the tree during his travels in Brazil between 1836 and 1841.

He described it as a small tree with glossy green leaves and white flowers that grew in the Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot that once covered most of the eastern coast of Brazil.

However, after his collection, no other confirmed sightings of the tree were reported for nearly two centuries.

The Pernambuco holly was considered lost to science and possibly extinct, as the Atlantic Forest suffered massive deforestation and fragmentation due to human activities.

The situation changed on March 22, when a team of Brazilian scientists and conservationists, supported by an international organization co-founded by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, embarked on a six-day expedition to search for the elusive tree.

The team followed clues from historical records, local knowledge, and satellite imagery to narrow down the potential locations where the tree might still exist.

They eventually found four specimens of the Pernambuco holly on the bank of a small river in the city of Igarassu, just outside the state capital, Recife.

The team confirmed the identity of the tree by comparing its morphological characteristics and DNA with the original specimens, which are preserved at a botanical garden in London.

The team was amazed that the Pernambuco holly was rediscovered in a metropolitan area that is home to nearly six million people.

They said that plants are often overlooked as being lost to science because they don't move like animals, but they are every bit as integral to the ecosystems they are native to.

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A New Hope for Conservation

The rediscovery of the Pernambuco holly is not only a scientific breakthrough but also a new hope for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest and its unique flora and fauna.

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world, having lost more than 90% of its original area due to agriculture, urbanization, logging, mining, and other human activities.

It is also one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, hosting more than 20,000 plant species (of which about 8,000 are endemic), more than 2,000 animal species (of which about 1,000 are endemic), and many indigenous peoples and traditional communities.

The Pernambuco holly is one of the many rare and endangered plant species that depend on the Atlantic Forest for their survival.

It is classified as critically endangered by an international organization that assesses the conservation status of species, meaning that it faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The four specimens found by the team are currently the only known living individuals of the species.

They are located on private property that is surrounded by urban development and exposed to threats such as fire, pollution, invasive species, and illegal harvesting.

The team is working with local authorities and landowners to ensure the protection and management of the site where the trees were found.

They also plan to start a breeding program for the Pernambuco holly using seeds collected from the wild specimens and tissue culture techniques.

The aim is to produce more plants that can be used for reintroduction into suitable habitats within their historical range.

The team hopes that by restoring the population and distribution of this species, they can also contribute to restoring the ecological functions and services of the Atlantic Forest.

The expedition leader, Gustavo Martinelli, an ecologist, said that the rediscovery of the Pernambuco holly is a reminder that there is still much to discover and conserve in nature.

He said that this is a message of hope for all those who work to protect biodiversity. He said that we need to act fast to save what is left before it is too late.