Rediscovery and conservation of Actinodaphne quercina Blume (Lauraceae), an endemic and Critically Endangered tree last collected in 1841

Abstract

Actinodaphne quercina Blume (Lauraceae) is a narrow endemic tree, known only from the sterile type specimens collected in 1841 from Banten Province, Indonesia. Since its first collection, there have been no additional records of the species, and it is not present in any ex situ conservation. According to the IUCN Red List, the conservation status of A. quercina is Critically Endangered. Therefore, this study aimed to report on the rediscovery of A. quercina 180 years after its last collection. The current status of the species distribution, habitat preferences, and population size and structure was presented. The species description based on the morphology was created and taxonomic position was also defined based on a DNA barcoding analysis. Furthermore, the conservation status of the species according to the IUCN Red List Category and Criteria was updated. Plant materials were collected to serve as ex-situ living collections for the first time at the Bogor Botanic Gardens to enhance the conservation of the species.