London Scientists Name New Tree Species After Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio has a newly-discovered tree in Cameroon named after him in recognition of his anti-logging campaign.
Scientists have named a newly-discovered tree after Leonardo DiCaprio.
The four-meter tree, which grows only in Cameroon's Ebo Forest, has been officially named Uvariopsis dicaprio after the Wolf of Wall Street star campaigned to stop logging in the woodland.
Dr Martin Cheek, a Senior Research Leader at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, southwest London, told the BBC: "We think he was crucial in helping to stop the logging of the Ebo Forest."
The tropical plant — which has yellow flowers — is the first one new to science to be officially named by Kew scientists this year.
Leonardo previously took to his social media channels to support a campaign against the logging of the Ebo Forest.
International experts had argued logging the forest could've put some plant and animal species at risk of extinction.
And while plans were dropped, Martin isn't fully confident that will be the case forever.
He added: "This could just be a stay of execution."
The Don't Look Up actor prides himself on his environmental work, and earlier this week he called for his followers to "listen to scientists" and take steps to try to combat climate change.
The 47-year-old star tweeted: "Years ago, scientists predicted the damaging effects of climate change that we’re now experiencing. We must listen to scientists and take the necessary steps to mitigate the crisis. #DontLookUp (sic)"