Story: Nearshore islands

The world’s rarest tree

The world’s rarest tree

This tree was discovered by Geoffrey Baylis on Great Island in the Three Kings Group in 1945. Named Pennantia baylisiana, it was the world’s rarest tree at the time, with just one specimen growing. Baylis took a cutting that he grew in Dunedin, and since then other trees have been cultivated in gardens. It has large glossy leaves and looks rather like a karaka. There is still just this single tree growing wild on Great Island.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10059158
Photograph by Peter de Lange

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Nearshore islands - Island sanctuaries', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13037/the-worlds-rarest-tree (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 24 Sep 2007