Clubmoss cudweed  (Chevreulia lycopodioides)

The clubmoss cudweed is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The clubmoss cudweed (Chevreulia lycopodioides) is a perennial herb that grows only on the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean (1). It is a member of the Compositae, or sunflower, family, which is one of the largest families of flowering plants in the world, with about 1,100 genera and 25,000 species (2). The clubmoss cudweed grows in a matt of flattened stems, with tiny, oval, flat, haired, grey-white leaves that are arranged in opposite pairs. Silvery-purple bracts enclose tiny white flowers, which measure around four millimetres in length. The fruit is hard and roughly oval, and has a modified calyx that forms a parachute-like ring of hair, which aids the fruit in wind dispersal (3) (4). 

Endemic to the Falkland Islands, the clubmoss cudweed is widespread and common wherever suitable habitat exists (1) (3).

The clubmoss cudweed is found amongst dwarf shrub heath on neutral and acid grassland acid, between sea level and 305 metres (3) (5).

There is currently very little information available on the specific biology of the clubmoss cudweed. However, it is known to flower from December to January. After pollination, the furry white flower stem extends to around eight centimetres in length, and the pale brown, papery fruits open, exposing the haired seeds to the wind (3).

The clubmoss cudweed is widespread on the Falkland Islands, and it is considered to be common, with no identified major threats to its survival. However, many floral species on the Falkland Islands are threatened by the loss and degradation of natural habitats. Overgrazing by introduced sheep is a particularly significant problem on the Falklands, and it is one of the main causes of decline in many threatened floral species (6). Competition with introduced plant species, such as gorse (Ulex europaeus) and broom (Cytisus scoparius), which can out-compete native species for natural resources, is a further threat, while disturbance from recreational land-use and vehicle damage can also harm natural habitats. These threats are exacerbated by the widespread pasture improvements and road-building programmes currently being conducted on the Falklands (7).

Despite being of relatively low diversity, the plant communities on the Falkland Islands have a high proportion of threatened species and a number of endemic species. Of the island’s 172 native plant species, some 13 are found no where else in the world and 5 are threatened with extinction (6) (7). 

It has been recommended that conservation programmes on the Falkland Islands focus on protecting these endangered species, while mitigating the threats to their survival (7). To this end, the Falklands Islands Plant Conservation Project, with assistance from Falklands Conservation, is developing a strategy for the long-term conservation of the islands’ threatened flora, with plans for sustainable land management and protection. Public education projects are also aiming to tackle human disturbances to natural environments (6). 

A number of rare plant species on the Falkland Islands are also protected by law, making it an offence to pick, collect, cut, uproot or destroy a protected plant. In addition, there are a number of protected areas on the islands, as well as several privately owned reserves, although the level of protection afforded these areas varies greatly (7).

ARKive is supported by OTEP, a joint programme of funding from the UK FCO and DFID which provides support to address priority environmental issues in the Overseas Territories, and Defra

Find out more about conservation in the Falkland Islands and the UK Overseas Territories:

• Falklands Conservation:
  http://www.falklandsconservation.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew:
  http://www.kew.org/science/ukots/index.html
• UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum:
  http://www.ukotcf.org/