Preparing the Wollemi Pine to survive in the modern world

Researchers from the National Herbarium of New South Wales and Deakin University have started a research to map the genome of the rare Wollemi Pine.

Dr. Maurizio Rossetto inspecting a branch of the rare Wollemi Pine. Source: Courtesy of Dr. Maurizio Rossetto

Discovered in 1994 by ranger David Noble, the Wollemi Pine has fascinated botanists and scientists around the world. Thought to be extinct, the existence of this rare species was known through fossils millions of years old.

Dr. Maurizio Rossetto, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Manager Evolutionary Ecology (National Herbarium of NSW) and Honorary Professor, The University of Queensland is leading the research and says that the genome will help to understand why and when this species become so rare.