A Lonely Tree That Could Be the Last of Its Kind

Great Big Story visited London’s Royal Botanic Gardens to see a rare tree that could be the last of its kind. The Encephalartos woodii on display at the gardens was discovered in 1895 and transferred to London.

Tucked away in a corner of London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the last of an ancient plant grows. Though it resembles a stumpy palm tree, the Encephalartos woodii is incredibly rare. In fact, it may well be the very last of its kind on Earth. Get to know this Jurassic cycad, the loneliest bachelor on Earth.