Bastard Gumwood | Commidendrum rotundifolium| Facing extinction

Eric Frei · 20th January 2010, 06:21 PM

BBC News - Fight to save dying plant species

Quote:

A botanist from Kew Gardens is fighting to save one of the rarest plant species in the world, the Bastard Gumwood tree.

The last tree of this species is found on the tiny South Atlantic island of St Helena, and it is dying.

To keep the Bastard Gumwood in existence, it needs to be pollinated so it will produce a fertile seed from which to grow new seedlings.

Obtaining a pure seed from the tree is no easy task.

The tree (Commidendrum rotundifolium) is enclosed in netting to prevent insects cross-pollinating with its near neighbour, the False Gumwood.

But even then because there are no other individuals in existence, the tree must self-pollinate, which it stubbornly resists.

Done it · 20th January 2010, 08:21 PM

Interesting story, I don't like his chances.

"In fact there are a number of species beginning with the word on the island - the Bastard Cabbage tree, the Bastard Bell flower and the Small Bastard Cabbage tree.
They were named by botanist John Burchell who was on St Helena between 1806 and1810."

I don't think Burchell enjoyed going to St Helena.

William John Burchell

Eric Frei · 20th January 2010, 09:37 PM

Sounds like a bastard of a place!

Therrin · 21st January 2010, 03:49 AM

Sounds like a serious lack of imagination.

Maybe he had repressed feelings.

Either way, things are looking grim for the Bastard Gumwood.

Done it · 21st January 2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therrin

Sounds like a serious lack of imagination.

Maybe, but I think he might have used that word a lot.

From the link I posted: "His fiancée sailed from England to marry him there but went off with the ship's captain instead."

kieren · 24th January 2010, 05:46 PM

What about aerial layering or hard wood propagating or tissue culture there would have to be a way for f@#$ sake we landed a man on the moon 50 years ago why cant we save a rare tree

20th January 2010, 08:21 PM	#2
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: Bastard Gumwood \| Commidendrum rotundifolium\| Facing extinction Interesting story, I don't like his chances. "In fact there are a number of species beginning with the word on the island - the Bastard Cabbage tree, the Bastard Bell flower and the Small Bastard Cabbage tree. They were named by botanist John Burchell who was on St Helena between 1806 and1810." I don't think Burchell enjoyed going to St Helena. William John Burchell

20th January 2010, 09:37 PM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Bastard Gumwood \| Commidendrum rotundifolium\| Facing extinction Sounds like a bastard of a place! __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

21st January 2010, 03:49 AM	#4
Therrin Former Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 2,497	Re: Bastard Gumwood \| Commidendrum rotundifolium\| Facing extinction Sounds like a serious lack of imagination. Maybe he had repressed feelings. Either way, things are looking grim for the Bastard Gumwood.

24th January 2010, 05:46 PM	#6
kieren Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Adelaide Posts: 104	Re: Bastard Gumwood \| Commidendrum rotundifolium\| Facing extinction What about aerial layering or hard wood propagating or tissue culture there would have to be a way for f@#$ sake we landed a man on the moon 50 years ago why cant we save a rare tree

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