The small rubber tree species, previously believed to be extinct and last seen 185 years ago, has been discovered thriving in an urban area in northeastern Brazil.
Conservation organization Re:wild reported that the small rubber tree “Ilex sapiiformis” was found in the city of Igarassu, Pernambuco state. The expedition team spent six days surveying the area, hoping to find this rare tree species. On March 22, they discovered four rubber trees growing along the banks of a small river in Igarassu, just outside Recife, the capital of Pernambuco state.
Small rubber tree. (Photo: AFP/TTXVN).
More commonly known as Pernambuco, this tree species was first documented by British botanist George Gardner in 1838, marking its initial recognition in Western science. Gardner’s collection of this tree species remained the only confirmed discovery until this latest finding.
In a media exchange, Christina Biggs from Re:wild expressed, “It’s unbelievable that the Pernambuco rubber tree was found in an urban area where nearly 6 million people live.” She emphasized that these trees are “an essential part” of the ecosystem where they grow.
The research team discovered these Pernambuco trees by following the distinctive small white flowers characteristic of the species. Expedition member Juliana Alencar highlighted that finding a plant species that hasn’t been seen in nearly two centuries is no easy feat, calling it “a wonderful moment.”
With this discovery, the research team hopes to initiate a breeding program for the small rubber tree.
