Program: “Look Around You: The Story of the Wollemi Pine .”

Thirty years ago, a new genus and species of conifers was discovered in Wollemi National Park in eastern Australia. Previously known only from the paleontological record,Wollemia nobilis can be considered a living fossil, and represents the most significant botanical discovery of the past 50 years. With only 60 individuals that are genetically nearly identical, the wild population is also at risk from pathogens and wildfire. Fortunately, ex situ conservation efforts have distributed the Wollemi pine around the world, including one on the OSU campus.

Dr. Aaron Liston, OSU Herbarium Director, will describe this spectacular discovery and his own experience with the Wollemi pine (and explain why it is called a pine despite not being a pine).  We will also visit the tree on campus – bring a flashlight.