Etnobotany Recovery

 

The toromiro, a sacred tree planted around ceremonial centers, was declared extinct over 50 years ago. The last one was seen in the crater at Rano Kau during Thor Heyerdahl’s expedition in 1956. There have been many attempts to recover this endemic species, but all of them failed. Today the situation has changed favorably. More than 100 toromiro plants, all about one meter (40 inches) high, are growing on Rapa Nui together with other native species.

The toromiro was a sacred tree planted around ceremonial centers. The hard, red wood which doesn’t rot served to sculpt representations of spirits (Moai Kavakava), objects of prestige and rank (Rapa, Reimiro and Tahonga) and objects necessary for numerous rituals,including the sacred Rongo Rongo tablets. More than 56% of the objects which were collected through the 19th Century for European museums were made of this wood. The toromiro was declared extinct on the Island more than 50 years ago. The last tree was reported in the crater of Rano Kau during the Heyerdahl expedition of 1958. Many attempts were made to recover the species, but all failed since the stock brought from overseas wasn’t able to adapt to the local soil and died. Jorge Edmunds, an agricultural technician who was in charge of the CONAF (National Forestry Corporation) nursery tells : “After many years of study and plantation trials, we were able to recover this species. In the CONAF nursery, we were able to create an ecosystem similar to its natural habitat. The first stage was preparing half shade. It should be planted on low ground where the water flows but doesn’t accumulate; it must be located near the sea with other trees around it to exchange nutrients and to help it grow and develop. It’s not good to plant it by itself, as it needs other species to survive.