Thursday 23 May
St Helena rosemary (Phylica polifolia)
CRITICALLYENDANGERED
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Find out here.St Helena rosemary fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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St Helena rosemary description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Rhamnales |
| Family | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus | Phylica (1) |
This extremely rare shrub gains its common name from the resemblance of the small leaves to those of the herb rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), although they are not related (2). It was previously known as a tree (even one that produced useful timber), but only straggling bushes of this species are now seen. These bushes have many slender branches and the tiny leaves are extremely small and pointed with a waxy, dark green sheen to their leathery upper surface (2). The small, greenish-white flowers are either solitary or occur in small clusters (2). Pea-sized hard fruits develop, which contain shiny black seeds (2).
- Size
- Height: up to 3 m (2)
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Related species
St Helena rosemary biology
Flowers are thought to appear in October with fruits maturing from November to January (2). The High Hill and Distant Cottage plants which are found growing out of cliff/rocky outcrops are spreading in habit whereas the plants growing at Lot are upright (4). These differences are also expressed at the molecular level, and have been maintained when planted at the Environmental Conservation Section Nursery in Scotland, St Helena (4).
TopSt Helena rosemary range
Endemic to St Helena in the southern Atlantic Ocean, this species was previously widespread in the west of the island (2). Today, around 100 plants remain, restricted to three subpopulations on cliffs such as High Hill, Lot and between Distant Cottage and the Asses Ears (4). Records in 1875 by Melliss found the species at Fairyland, Plantation, Rosemary Hall, Oaklands and Lot (4).
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Species with a similar range
St Helena rosemary habitat
Formerly widespread in dry places in the west of the island; Rosemary Plain derives its name from the former occurrence of this plant there (4). The St Helena rosemary is now reduced to small populations on cliffs at 500 - 600 metres above sea level (4).
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Species found in a similar habitat
St Helena rosemary status
Classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List (1).
St Helena rosemary threats
The island of St Helena has undergone a dramatic loss of native fauna and flora following centuries of exploitation; over 60% of the island has suffered massive erosion or is colonised by introduced plant species (3). Although there are around 100 rosemary plants remaining, these are mainly in small, highly fragmented and genetically distinct populations. Growing on or below rock outcrops, the populations are vulnerable to chance factors and to competition from introduced plants. No regeneration has been observed at the High Hill site in the last 10 years (4).
TopSt Helena rosemary conservation
The Environmental Conservation Section nursery at Scotland, St Helena has raised a number of plants of St Helena rosemary, and some of these have been planted out in private gardens to aid their survival (2).
TopFind out more
For more information on St Helena see:
-
St Helena National Trust
http://www.sthelenanattrust.org -
UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF)
http://www.ukotcf.org
Authentication
Authenticated (30/6/03) by Rebecca Cairns-Wicks. Chair, IUCN SSC South Atlantic Island Plant Specialist Group.
TopGlossary
- Endemic
- A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
References
-
IUCN Red List (April, 2011)
http://www.iucnredlist.org/ - Cronk, Q.C.B. (2000) The Endemic Flora of St Helena. Anthony Nelson, Shropshire.
- Cairns-Wicks, R. (June, 2003) Pers. comm.
-
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) (March, 2003)
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/international/pdf/St%20Helena.pdf
More »Related species
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Image credit
St Helena rosemary leaves
© Andrew McRobb / Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 3AB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 208 332 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 208 332 5197
info@kew.org
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk
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