Kew: A year at Kew: Plants: Wollemi Pine


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Adult Wollemi pines discovered in 1994 in the Wollemi National Park, Australia © J.Plaza RBG Sydney and by kind permission of Wollemi Pine International

Wollemi Pine

Wollemia nobilis

One of the oldest known tree species in the world, the Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis) was recently discovered alive and well in a deep, impenetrable gorge, west of Sydney, Australia.

You can see a Wollemi pine close to the Orangery at Kew Gardens, and in the Southern Hemisphere garden at Wakehurst Place

Despite having outlived ice ages and bush fires, less than 100 mature trees now exist in the wild and their location remains a closely guarded secret. In 1994 this astonishing find became the focus of extensive research to aid its conservation. A propagation programme was developed to prevent the original trees being threatened by plant collectors. Kew is active in aiding the conservation and horticultural potential of this tree. From late 2005 you will be able to buy your own Wollemi pine and help directly fund its conservation.

Factfile
Discovered by:	David Noble, a National Parks Officer
Year of discovery:	1994
Closest relatives:	Agathis (Kauri Pines) Araucaria (Monkey Puzzle, Norfolk Island Pine, Hoop Pine, Bunya Pine)
Description:	unusual pendulous dark green foliage, bubbly dark brown bark
Fossil remains:	widespread from Antarctica to New Zealand and Australia
Oldest known fossil:	90 million years old
Named after:	the Wollemi National Park and David Noble
Oldest living Wollemi pine:	‘King Billy’ who may be over 1000 years old
Why are the specimens in cages?	until released onto the horticultural market all Wollemi pines in cultivation are required to be protected
Greatest threat:	humans