The tallest Jequitibá-Rosa tree (Cariniana legalis) ever recorded in Brazil continues to thrive in the Mata Escura Biological Reserve in Minas Gerais.
The massive tree, discovered in March of this year, measures 65 meters in height and 5.5 meters in circumference. Professor Fabiano Rodrigues de Melo from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) led the team that made the discovery.
Using drones to identify large tree trunks retaining heat, researchers located the Jequitibá-Rosa in a valley within the 51,000-hectare Mata Escura. This find is part of an ongoing fauna and flora monitoring program.
The program represents a partnership between the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and Vale. Researchers expressed astonishment at the tree's size, believing it to be the tallest Jequitibá known.
This tree serves as a flagship species for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. Its remarkable height is attributed to its location within a primary forest area that is difficult to access.
Scientists estimate the tree is at least 300 years old. Studying the genetics of these trees and protecting their seeds is crucial for the conservation of the species.
The Jequitibá-Rosa is native to the Atlantic rain forest of Brazil and is considered one of the tallest trees of the Brazilian flora. It can reach up to 60 m with a diameter of 5 m.