Torreya taxifolia: Current Status and Management of One of the World’s Most Threatened Conifers

Sarah E. Dalrymple

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

As one of the world’s most threatened coniferous trees, Torreya taxifolia has attracted the attention of a variety of conservation organizations and researchers across its native country of the USA and beyond. The current status of the species is one of very poor individual health with trees being very short and failing to produce seeds, while being confined to a restricted range in the south-eastern US. The status reflects a precipitous decline that is widely reported to be influenced by a number of threats including over-exploitation primarily for construction materials, modifications to natural systems and most notably, a pathogenic fungus which results in the poor growth and lack of reproduction and has been named Fusarium torreyae. However, the species is a glacial relict at the southernmost extent of its post-glacial range and as such, is also likely to suffer from the impacts of climate change. Current conservation actions include attempts to carefully monitor individual trees and document the impacts of catastrophes such as Hurricane Michael in 2018 and ‘cage’ them to prevent damage from deer; comprehensive collections of cuttings and seed to be grown in botanic gardens, and a range of translocation attempts to either bolster the species in its native range, or identify new sites in which it might thrive.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationImperiled
Subtitle of host publicationThe Encyclopedia of Conservation: Volume 1-3
Pages952-957
Number of pages6
Volume1-3
ISBN (Electronic)9780128211397
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2022

Keywords

  • Conifer
  • Ex situ conservation
  • Florida nutmeg
  • Florida torreya
  • Fusarium torreyae
  • Pathogen
  • Savin
  • Stinking cedar

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