Taxus baccata L., a Tertiary relict formerly widespread in the Azores Archipelago, was recently classified as ''probably extinct''. This paper documents the persistence of the species in the Azores and provides its first characterization by means of morphometric and genetic analyses. Only five individuals were found, growing on Pico Island. Although the population size is critically small it retains some highly significant characteristics for the assessment of the genetic diversity of the species and its phylogeography. The leaves of the Azorean provenance were smaller than those of all other Taxus baccata described in literature; moreover, they have a higher stomata density and more numerous stomata rows. These features are all ''primitive'', according to suggested morphological evolutionary trends. We assume that sequence analysis of the chloroplast trnS-trnQ intergenic spacer demonstrates that the Azorean population represents a different evolutionary line within Taxus. This suggests a more direct derivation from ancestors than provenances from Mediterranean and European regions. These individuals may be the last survivors of an ancient lineage, preserved in the Azores as part of the Macaronesian flora. Immediate conservation action focusing on site protection and ex situ reproduction strategies is recommended to save this lineage from imminent extinction.

AB The Azores provide an excellent field test for research activities aimed\ud at developing conservation strategies for endangered tree species. In\ud this work, the urgency to promote Picconia azorica conservation programs\ud addressed (a) insights into the biotaxonomy of the species (including an\ud evaluation of its origin and relationships with the only congeneric\ud species of P. azorica: P. excelsa from the Canary and Madeira islands)\ud and (b) the evaluation of P. azorica genetic diversity. Plastid DNA\ud sequence analysis and molecular markers (RFLP and SSR) were used for\ud this purpose. Phylogenetic data suggest the monophyly of Picconia and\ud support a late Miocene divergence of the two species. Three polymorphic\ud cpSSR loci allowed the identification of five different haplotypes in P.\ud azorica. Uniqueness and relictuality of lineages are presented and\ud discussed. Picconia azorica intra-specific diversity patterns revealed\ud low genetic diversity and a weak genetic structure, which could result\ud from long-lasting ecological stability and efficient inter-island seed\ud movement that have been severely affected in recent times. The species\ud survival is at risk, and we suggest management practices focusing on ex\ud situ and in situ conservation units based on eco-genetic data.\ud Additional measures contributing to mild erosion of the genepool and to\ud remove barriers to seed dispersal are indicated

Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knobl. is an Azorean endemic species of the Oleaceae, exploited over centuries and recently classified as endangered. It suffers from reduction and fragmentation of its habitat, and from competition with exotic species. Wood anatomy was examined and compared with Picconia excelsa, enhancing our knowledge about the genus Picconia which contains only these two species. Macroscopic and technological characterizations by colour, pH, wood density, compression and bending strengths, shrinkages, static quality factor, ash content and Higher Heating Value were investigated and compared with other Oleaceae and other hardwoods. At the anatomical level, P. azorica does not differ from P. excelsa, except for the number of vessels and rays per mm2 and the ray type. The technological features support the profitable use of P. azorica for the furniture industry instead of biomass production. Because of its valuable wood, P. azorica might be reconsidered and its properties emphasized to combat the species’ decline and to encourage the restoration of its habitat.