England’s first “de-extinction event” just happened, where a rare yellow wildflower, called the York groundsel, has been brought back to life.
This unique flower had been extinct since 1991, but a few seeds from potted plants at the University of York managed to survive.
Botanists at Natural England took action when they learned that the seeds were approaching the end of their lifespan. They created a special greenhouse in Wales and successfully germinated 98 out of 100 seeds. The offspring of these survivors now number in the thousands, passing on the genes of the original specimens.
The York groundsel is a cheerful yellow daisy that plays an important role as a pollinator and nectar plant in the area. It is exclusive to York and has adapted to thrive in urban environments. While this de-extinction event is likely to be a unique occurrence, it highlights the significance of the Millennium Seed Bank and raises awareness about urban biodiversity.