Save the Species: Comoro Island Palms – report now available!

[Bill Baker (Kew)]

Thanks to the generosity of supporters of the IPS Save the Species campaign, a team from Kew and Comoros was able to complete important work on the endemic palms of the Comoro Islands. We have now completed our final report, which I’m delighted to share with you today - you can download it (in English and French!) at this link: https://zenodo.org/records/15924392

We were able to carefully survey all three islands in the independent Union of the Comores. We found Ravenea hildebrandtii and Chrysalidocarpus lanceolatus on all islands, but Ravenea moorei and Chrysalidocarpus cabadae only on Grande Comore (although the last is also reported from Mayotte). Palms are highly threatened on all islands, but the last two especially so. Chrysalidocarpus cabadae in particular is found only in coastal forests, which are highly degraded. Thankfully, our missions have inspired a new wave of palm enthusiasts and action to protect these species is already underway – please read the report to find out!

This work could only happen because of the passion and motivation of IPS members – we cannot thank you enough! Please continue to support the society – in its fundraising, by subscribing to its publications and by participating in its travel opportunities (look out for the Vietnam Biennial – it will be phenomenal!!!). With your support, we can do so much more!

Example plate from the report:

[Cindy Adair]

Thank you so much Bill for sharing the results of such important work with all of us on PalmTalk. 
 

I am proud to be a member of the nonprofit International Palm Society and hope to continue to donate (no amount too small) to each annual Save the Species campaign. 

[ASHCVS]

Thank you for posting Bill, this is tremendous. And looking very forward to being with you in Vietnam in February. It is going to be epic.

[Tyrone]

Just read the document and it was a great read. Awesome work done by the Kew team. Sad to see the habitat degradation but that’s going on worldwide unfortunately. Any effort to keep these going in habitat is worth the effort.

It’s sad to hear that the Ravenea moorei in the Kew palm house may not survive the renovation work. I hope some effort is made to transplant it. I know trunking Ravenea rivularis transplant well. If there is nowhere to put it at Kew could it be donated to the Eden Project in Cornwall? I’m sure they’d be eager to help. 
 

The priority should be in protection of insitu plants and exsitu plants in botanic gardens in the Comores. However if a plan is put into action for exsitu collections around the world (such as was done for Tahina in 2007) with Ravenea moorei and Ravenea hillebrandii count me in. I believe I could grow them here. 
 

You’ve done some great work Bill. 
 

BTW I think that plumose leaf C lanceolatus may turn out to be something different.