Safeguarding Persea palustris, USA

  • Status of project

    Completed

  • Programme

    BGCI-US

  • Workstream

    Saving Plants

  • Topic

    Plant Conservation
In collaboration with United States Botanic Garden (USBG) and BGCI-US
Project Partner: Naples Botanical Garden (NBG)
Project: Completed

Safeguarding Persea palustris through ex situ collections and collaborative efforts, USA

Introduction
Swamp bay (Persea palustris) is a common tree in the forested wetlands in the south-eastern Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain of the USA and Bahamas. It is a crop wild relative of avocado (Persea americana), a significant export of the South Florida agriculture industry. The species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and mortality due to laurel wilt disease.

Project goals
The primary goal of this project was to establish Persea palustris in multiple ex situ collections to safeguard it against loss due to laurel wilt disease and habitat loss. By partnering with The Huntington, NBG aimed to establish tissue culture and cryopreservation protocols for sterile transfer of plants between institutions.

Species Targeted
Persea palustris

Key Achievements
Currently Naples Botanical Garden holds 640 Persea palustris trees from 78 maternal lines. Trees are maintained at a minimum diameter to reduce the likelihood of infection by the redbay ambrosia beetle, the primary vector of laurel wilt disease.

Laurel wilt in swamp bay

Twelve accessions have been shared with the Huntington using established tissue culture protocols. Both the Huntington and NBG are working with the United States Department of Agriculture to discuss further conservation activities, including additional backup sites.

Collecting swamp bay fruits in the wild

Additionally, NBG has provided Persea palustris plants with potential disease resistance for out-planting in situ in a partnership with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. This project resulted in backup sites for Persea palustris and strengthened partnerships among organizations. It has laid a foundation for ongoing research and conservation activities, with a focus on addressing the threats posed by laurel wilt disease and ensuring the sustainability of Persea palustris.

Collecting swamp bay fruits with Collier Seminole State Park Staff

 

This project is part of the North American Fruit and Nut Tree (NAFANT) Crop Wild Relative (CWR) Conservation Partnerships a collaboration between BGCI-US and USBG.