Plant story
Mendora linoides
Voucher specimen being taken in the field (Photo: Pablo Guerrero)
This attractive small shrub is known from only five locations in the hills of central Chile, and was in danger of extinction due to intensification of grazing in its habitat. Menodora is the only member of the Olive family native to Chile and is a high priority for conservation action.
As part of the Millennium Seed Bank project, seed has been collected and banked by the Chilean Agricultural Research Agency (Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA)). Through a joint research program with Kew, samples of seeds have been germinated and seedlings have been successfully propagated in greenhouse conditions.
Menodora plant successfully propagated in the INIA greenhouse [at Vicuņa](Photo: Ana Sandoval)
Currently there is no official protection for its natural habitat so Menodora seed has also been provided to Botanic Gardens in central Chile to explore conservation options for the species. For example,collaborators at the National Botanical Garden in Viña del Mar are growing specimens for research and education purposes. Plants reach flowering stage in as little as six months of age, and vegetative propagation has also found to be effective, so the partners are positive about the future recovery of this attractive species.
