Påsköträdet blommar!

Utrotat träd blommar i Botaniskas växthus. Göteborgs botaniska trädgård har cirka 20.000 olika växtarter i odling, och just nu blommar den allra sällsyntaste av dem - Påsköträdet i Botaniskas växthus.

Introduction to the Påsköträd

The Påsköträd (Sophora toromiro), also known as the Easter Island tree, stands as one of the world’s rarest and most extraordinary botanical species. Its survival story is intimately connected with the Gothenburg Botanical Garden in Sweden and reflects both the dramatic loss of biodiversity and the hope that dedicated conservation brings.

Origins and Extinction in the Wild

Originally, the Påsköträd was endemic to the secluded Easter Island (Påskön) in the South Pacific, existing in an extremely limited natural range. By 1917, only a single known specimen survived, and this last individual persisted until 1962, after which the species became officially extinct in the wild.

Human Impact and Ecological Decline

The primary causes behind its decline can be linked to the island’s inhabitants, who harvested the wood extensively for carpentry, artistic carving, and the production of everyday objects. The situation worsened with the introduction of sheep, which prevented the regeneration of seedlings through excessive grazing pressure. Over generations, this combined impact eliminated the tree from its native environment.

Conservation and Rescue Efforts

A significant turning point came during the 1955–56 archaeological expedition to Easter Island, led by Thor Heyerdahl. Recognizing the tree’s impending extinction, Heyerdahl gathered seeds from the lone surviving tree and brought them back to Scandinavia. These seeds were distributed to several botanical gardens, but success was found only at the Gothenburg Botanical Garden, where staff managed to raise viable plants.

The Gothenburg Botanical Garden – A Sanctuary

Today, the Gothenburg Botanical Garden houses a remarkable collection of Påsköträd at various growth stages, from young cuttings in greenhouses to mature trees in large pots. Through persistent attention and horticultural innovation, the garden’s staff have developed effective propagation techniques, providing the foundation for the continued survival of the species.

Over the years, specimens from the Gothenburg collection have been shared with other botanical gardens worldwide. The garden has also supported multiple reintroduction attempts on Easter Island. Unfortunately, all such efforts, including projects in 1980 (using rooted cuttings) and 1983 (with seeds), have been unsuccessful. Young trees have failed to survive, largely due to the attacks of root nematodes and spider mites.

The Symbolism of the Påsköträd

The story of the Påsköträd serves as a timely reminder of the vulnerability—and resilience—of rare plant species. Visitors to the Gothenburg Botanical Garden now have the unique opportunity to witness the blooming Easter Island tree: a living connection to a lost natural heritage and an enduring symbol of conservation efforts past and present.