Wollemia

Wollemia ( Wollemia nobilis)

The Wollemia ( Wollemia nobilis ) is a species of plant only discovered in 1994 in Australia, she is the only species of the monotypic genus Wollemia of the family (Araucariaceae ). She was previously known only from fossils millions of years old and therefore was considered extinct. The specific epithet nobilis was chosen in honor of its discoverer, David Noble.

Dissemination

The oldest known fossils of Wollemia be dated to around 90 million years; it was considered extinct for 65 million years. In September 1994, however, the Australian city of Sydney were discovered 23 trees and some young plants in the Wollemi National Park by David Noble about 250 km to the west. They were hiding in the remote and inaccessible canyons of the Blue Mountains. In this protected environment the Wollemia could survive as a living fossil to date. It is considered very endangered plant species and planting at the moment only clonally continued. According to genetic studies of Australian specimens was found that all previously known wool Mien form a clone, ie have identical genetic material. Currently, three populations with a total of only about 100 trees are known. As a precaution, DNA samples were taken. It is feared, a native of Southeast Asia and is dragged to Australia root rot pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, which has already affected two Mien wool in its natural habitat (as of October 2010), could wipe out the entire population. To prevent further introductions for example by tourists, the exact locations of the trees are kept secret until today.

Discovery

On 12 September 1994 the plant was by David Noble, a member of the Wollemi National Park Administration, first sighted. Brought branches led to a further excursion. On October 15, it was further samples (bark, a male pin and green) along with Wyn Jones, also collected a member of the National Park Service. On October 21, a female cone Wyn Jones was eventually picked from the crown, because a provision has still not been possible with the use of a helicopter. It was established on November 21, finally, that it was a previously undiscovered, living fossil of the family Araucariaceae. In honor of its discoverer, the plant Wollemia nobilis was called. The discovery of this "population from living trees " reflects the importance of national parks and wilderness areas for the conservation of biological diversity.

Description

The evergreen tree grows up to 40 meters Height. The Wollemia is monoecious dioecious ( monoecious ). Male and female cones grow on the same tree, which is always found at the end of a side branch of a pin. After the seeds are ripe, not only the journal, but the whole branch will be dropped.

At the very top of the central drive of the plant is covered during the growth pause of a resin cap / protected ( as ( s) Polar Cap ( " polar cap " ) is called ).

Furthermore, the Wollemia propagated vegetatively. At the base of the stem drive from buds and grow into a new tree.

Marketing

In October 2005 292 offshoot at Sotheby's in Sydney were publicly auctioned for the first time. The auction of the plant achieved a turnover of 1.5 million U.S. dollars. Since May 16, 2006, copies among European retailers are available.

For the further dissemination and marketing of Wollemia in Europe, the global horticultural company Kientzler ( Gensingen ) is responsible. It works together with the commissioned by the state marketing company " Wollemi Australia". This has got assigned by the Foundation of the Sydney Botanic Gardens, the license for the propagation and marketing of Wollemia. The multiplication is done either conventionally via offshoot as well as through in vitro techniques. License revenue of 100-150 € per sapling from the sale will benefit the conservation of the natural stock in Australia, but also the nature and species protection in Germany.

Until the mentioned auction of 292 cuttings at Sotheby's in Sydney in October 2005, there was a marked feature, when a botanical garden could plant a copy of Wollemia. For example, has the Palm Garden in Frankfurt am Main since June 22, 2005, a copy.

In Dortmund, a forest was planted from 35 specimens of Wollemia the 50th anniversary of glasshouses in Romberg Park.