A tree last seen almost two centuries ago and thought to be extinct has been found in an urban area in northeast Brazil, a team of scientists announced on Tuesday.
The 'Ilex sapiiformis,' which can grow eight to 12 metres tall, was spotted in the state of Pernambuco by an expedition that spent six days in the region looking for it, according to the environmental group behind the Re:wild project, co-founded by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.
Known as Pernambuco holly, the species was first recorded for Western science by Scottish biologist George Gardner in 1838.
That was the only confirmed sighting until 22 March, when the new expedition found four specimens on the bank of a small river in the town of Igarassu, on the outskirts of the state capital, Recife.
“It’s incredible that the Pernambuco Ilex has been rediscovered in a metropolitan area where almost six million people live,” said Christina Biggs, head of lost species at Re:wild. “This tree is a perfect example of why it’s important to keep looking,” she added.
The team of scientists discovered it by following the trail of the species’ characteristic small white flowers.
Expedition leader Gustavo Martinelli said the group now hoped to launch a breeding programme for the species.
