On The Brink
Learn about rare and threatened species collected by the Weston Global Tree Seed Bank Programme
Loder Valley at Wakehurst (2016-09-12) by Jeff EdenRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Trees are invaluable resources, providing essential materials such as timber, fuel, food and medicines. In the landscape, they perform vital services from erosion and pollution control to climate regulation.
Deforestation in Sabah (2005-09-03) by Andrew McRobbRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Yet, trees are under increasing threat from deforestation, over exploitation, climate change, pests and diseases. A recent report for the eport for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List concluded that 35 % of the world’s trees are at risk of extinction.
Seeds of Fraxinus excelsior, Ash (2012-11-26) by Wolfgang StuppyRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Global Tree Seed Bank Programme (GTSB) is funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation. The programme aims to conserve some of the world’s rarest, most endangered and useful tree and shrub species in Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) and partner seed banks around the globe.
Seeds of Acacia salicina (2013-02-05) by Wolfgang StuppyRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Since 2015, the Global Tree Seed Bank programme has helped us protect over 3000 tree species from 35 countries and territories. This work continues today. Here are some examples of species that have recently been collected:
The flowers of Calophyllum africanum (2019-04-11) by Xander van der BurgtRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Critically Endangered (CR)
Initially known from a single site in Mali, Calophyllum africanum was only scientifically described in 2016. This rare species was found fruiting in new locations in Guinea in 2019 and its seeds were collected.
Due to the small number of trees found, this species was assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species.
The fruit of Diospyros feliciana (2016-10-12) by Xander van der BurgtRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Endangered (E)
Diospyros feliciana is a small understorey tree endemic to Guinea, where it is only known from a few localities. This species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Psychotria densinervia is a rare, small tree from West Tropical Africa. Unusually, it has flowers clustered at the end of very long (10ft) peduncles (stalks), which reach to, or near, the ground. The species is considered Endangered due to habitat loss.
Adansonia, Baobab in Madagascar (2007-09-28) by Phillip CribbRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Baobabs
Renowned for the great girth of their trunks and small crowns, the seeds of all eight species of the genus Adansonia are now held in the MSB. They are native to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Madagascar and Australia. Six species are endemic to Madagascar.
The seeds of these three threatened trees from Madagascar have recently been stored in the MSB. All of these species are at risk due to logging and/or habitat loss.
On the left, Miconia furfuracea is restricted to the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. On the right, Piper blattarum (Moth Pepper) is restricted to Puerto Rico and the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean.
Flower of Rondeletia buxifolia, Pribby (2018-01-30) by Thomas HellerRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Critically Endangered (CR)
Rondeletia buxifolia is a multi-stemmed shrub up to 3m high. It was rediscovered in 2006, after much of Montserrat’s vegetation was destroyed in the 1990s due to volcanic activity. It is still threatened by volcanic activity, grazing and invasive species.
Where Kew’s trees are born by RBG KewRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Global Tree Seed Bank Programme
We would like to thank the Garfield Weston Foundation for the grants which have made the Global Tree Seed Bank programme possible.
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