Biology:Ilex sapiiformis

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Short description: Species of plant

Ilex sapiiformis

Critically endangered, possibly extinct (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Aquifoliales
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Genus: Ilex
Species:
I. sapiiformis
Binomial name
Ilex sapiiformis
Reissek

Ilex sapiiformis, also known as the Pernambuco holly, is a critically endangered tree in the family Aquifoliaceae endemic to the state of Pernambuco in Brazil .[1]

Description

The tree can grow up to 12 metres (39 ft) tall and is diecious. The flowers are small and white.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species has been known only from a small patch of forest next to a sugarcane plantation in the Igarassu municipality of Pernambuco, close to the Greater Recife metropolitan area.[2]

Conservation

After the type specimen was described in 1836, no other individuals were found and the species was considered possibly extinct for nearly 200 years until 4 plants (2 males and 2 females) were found in March 2023. Since then, one of the trees has died, leaving only 3 known individuals, rendering the plant narrowly close to extinction unless captive propagation or habitat preservation is done.[2]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q17271039 entry