VC brings dinosaur tree back to life in CQ
Published on 09 December, 2010
One of Australia's youngest universities has cemented its roots in history by planting one of the oldest species of trees in the world at a Central Queensland campus.
CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman recently planted a Wollemi Pine on the Rockhampton campus grounds, adding a touch of heritage to the acres of established gardens and parklands at the University.
Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman waters in the dinosaur pine as Associate Professor Nanjappa Ashwath oversees.The Wollemi Pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest plants, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs.
With less than 100 adult trees known to exist in the wild, the University hopes to contribute to the conservation of this amazing tree.
CQUniversity's Associate Professor with the Centre for Plant and Water Sciences, Nanjappa Ashwath said there is currently extensive research to safeguard the survival of the Wollemi Pine species.
He said the University hopes to assist in the conservation effort by nurturing their own Wollemi Pine and becoming part of one of the most dramatic comebacks in natural history.
Wollemi Pine belongs to the 200 million-year-old Araucariaceae family and features unusual but attractive dark green foliage and bubbly bark.
It is unique in that in can spontaneously sprout multiple trunks from its base, providing a vital defence against fire and other natural disasters.
Another unusual characteristic of the Pine is that it can shed whole branches rather than individual leaves.
