The Three Kings Kaikomako is a unique and rare plant, known for its distinct characteristics and compelling story of near-extinction and dedicated conservation. Its existence highlights the intricate balance of island ecosystems and the dedication required to safeguard species on the brink.
What is the Three Kings Kaikomako
The Three Kings Kaikomako (Pennantia baylisiana) is a unique plant species endemic to the remote Three Kings Islands, approximately 55 kilometers northwest of New Zealand’s Cape Reinga. For many years, only a single wild specimen was known to exist, making it extremely rare. Botanist Geoff Baylis discovered this tree in 1945 on Great Island, the largest of the Three Kings group.
The common name “Three Kings Kaikomako” references its isolated island home and its connection to the mainland New Zealand species, Pennantia corymbosa. While sharing a genus, P. baylisiana has distinct features. Its singular wild presence on a scree slope, inaccessible to browsing animals, led to its moniker “the world’s loneliest tree.”
Physical Characteristics
The Three Kings Kaikomako typically grows as a multi-trunked small tree or shrub, reaching 5 to 8 meters tall with a broad crown up to 4 meters wide in cultivation. Its bark is pale grayish-brown, and its branchlets are covered with lenticels (lens-shaped pores). Unlike other New Zealand Pennantia species, it does not display the divaricating juvenile form.
Its leaves are leathery, egg-shaped, and glossy deep green, measuring 12–16 by 7–10 cm. Adult leaves have smooth margins, while younger leaves may be toothed. A distinctive characteristic is the presence of hair-covered domatia on the underside of the leaves, at the junction of the midrib and secondary veins. Flowering occurs from October to November, producing small, greenish-white flowers (approximately 1.5 by 1.5 mm) arranged in panicles that often arise directly from the woody branches. These flowers develop into ellipsoid fruits (about 10 by 4.5 mm), which mature to a purple to black color and contain a single hard seed.
A Story of Survival and Conservation
The Three Kings Kaikomako is critically endangered, a classification given by the IUCN. For decades after its discovery in 1945, only a single wild female specimen was known. This solitary existence limited natural reproduction, as the species is typically dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants.
Conservation efforts began immediately after its discovery, focusing on propagating the single tree. Initial attempts with cuttings proved difficult, and young plants faced high mortality. In the late 1980s, viable fruit was observed on the wild tree, suggesting rare self-fertilization despite it being functionally female. This breakthrough, combined with horticultural advancements, allowed for the successful propagation of hundreds of saplings from seeds by 1998. The New Zealand Department of Conservation has since protected its habitat on Great Island, including eradicating invasive goats in 1946, which threatened the island’s native flora.
Specialized Cultivation and Propagation
The cultivation and propagation of the Three Kings Kaikomako are specialized processes, primarily undertaken by botanical gardens and conservation programs due to the plant’s rarity and specific needs. While it tolerates some wind and drought, it thrives in deep, rich soil and requires frost protection. It prefers bright, indirect light and moderate humidity, making it suitable for controlled environments.
Propagation from cuttings, particularly hardwood cuttings taken in autumn, is common, though rooting can be slow (up to 10 months). Seed germination is also employed, especially after viable seeds were discovered from the wild specimen and cultivated plants. However, ensuring genetic diversity remains a challenge, as the original wild tree was female, and cross-pollination with other Pennantia species can lead to hybrid offspring. This species requires expert care and dedicated conservation efforts.