Island flora

Thousands of years of isolation and evolution mean many island plants and animals occur nowhere else on Earth.
An island’s ecological balance can be upset by the arrival of invasive species, human activity and climate change. Many island plants are among the most threatened in the world. To protect these unique oases of flora, conservation work is underway.

Kew’s work for island floras is mainly based on UK Overseas Territory islands including the British Virgin Islands, Ascension, St. Helena, Monserrat and the Cayman Islands. There are more than 200 endemic plant species in the UK Overseas Territories.

Our work focuses on establishing ‘botanical infrastructure’– creating seed-banks for native species, herbariums, conservation programmes and horticultural training.

Many projects are funded by the Defra Darwin Initiative programme and the Overseas Territories Environment Fund (OTEP).

Did you know?
Endemic to Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, Acacia anegadensis is endangered. Kew is working closely with local communities to save this plant.

Back up to: temperate plants index

More island flora