Vanilla daisy  (Leucheria suaveolens)

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The vanilla daisy is a flowering plant found only on the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean (2). So named for its sweet scent, this herb, like other Asterales plants, is characterised by its large inflorescences of many tightly-packed stalkless flowers (florets) that are surrounded by bracts and arranged into a large disc shape (3) (4). The inflorescence is a beautiful white colour and the well-developed leaves are dark green. The vanilla daisy produces a dry, closed fruit that is crowned with numerous hairs that aid in dispersal, and contains a single seed (3).  

Endemic to the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean (1).

The vanilla daisy grows on coastal cliffs and slopes, as well as inland heath and rocky areas from seal level up to around 600 metres (1) (5). It is typically found growing in exposed areas among rocks on well drained peat (4).  

The vanilla daisy flowers between November and January and, as a monecious species, separate male and female flowers are found on each plant (5) (6).  The strong scent of the vanilla daisy serves to attract pollinating insects to its flowers, and upon arrival at the plant, pollen-carrying insects inadvertently brush the pollen against the greatly elongated, two-armed styles (3) (6). Like other plants in the compositae family, a single seed is produced per fruit, and the ripe fruit is dispersed by wind (3).

While the vanilla daisy is still a widespread and common species on the Falkland Islands, it is vulnerable to overgrazing by introduced sheep (1) (2). This is a significant problem on the Falklands, and it is one of the main causes of decline in many threatened floral species (7). 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 (2).

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 species are found no where else in the world and 5 are threatened with extinction (2) (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 (2). 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 island’s threatened flora, with plans for sustainable land management and protection. Public education projects are also aiming to tackle human disturbances to natural environments (7). A number of rare plant species 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 (2). 

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

For more information on conservation in the Falkland Islands, see:

• Falklands Conservation:
  http://www.falklandsconservation.com/
• Procter, D. and Fleming, L.V. (1999) Biodiversity: the UK Overseas Territories. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, UK.
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew:
  http://dps.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/falklands