Fair Isle Bird Observatory & Guesthouse

Checklist of the Flora of Fair Isle

Camila V. Quinteros Peñafiel, Nick J. Riddiford & Alex D. Twyford

This summary of Quinteros Peñafiel et al. (2017) provides the first comprehensive floristic study of the island. A botanical survey was performed for each monad, and habitat information was collated following the NCC Phase 1 habitat survey method. These data were compiled to give a comprehensive checklist of 318 species, classified into 31 orders, 68 families and 191 genera according to APG IV. Of the total number of species, 255 are native to Great Britain and the remaining 63 are aliens. The list includes 10 species under threat, seven nationally scarce and one nationally rare species. The results reveal that even though Fair Isle is about 200 times smaller than the full archipelago of Shetland, it holds over one-third the number of species.

For further information, and detailed assessment and analysis, please refer to the paper published in the New Journal of Botany (Quinteros Peñafiel et al. 2017).

See below, for an expanation of the abbreviations used in this table.

The List

Family/Species		English Name	Native Status	Fair Isle Status	Red Data List
ASPLENIACEAE
Asplenium	marinum	Sea Spleenwort	N	N!
BLECHNACEAE
Blechnum	spicant	Hard-fern	N	N!
DENNSTAEDTIACEAE
Pteridium	aquilinum	Bracken	N	N!
DRYOPTERIDACEAE
Dryopteris	dilatata	Broad Buckler-fern	N	N!
EQUISETACEAE
Equisetum	arvense	Field Horsetail	N	N!
Equisetum	palustre	Marsh Horsetail	N	N!
HYMENOPHYLLACEAE
Hymenophyllum	wilsonii	Wilson's Filmy-fern	N	N!	NT
OPHIOGLOSSACEAE
Botrychium	lunaria	Moonwort	N	N!
Ophioglossum	azoricum	Small Adder's-tongue	N	N!	NS
POLYPODIACEAE
Polypodium	vulgare	Polypody	N	N!
WOODSIACEAE
Athyrium	filix-femina	Lady-fern	N	N!
LYCOPODIACEAE
Huperzia	selago	Fir Clubmoss	N	N!
SELAGINELLACEAE
Selaginella	selaginoides	Lesser Clubmoss	N	N!
CUPRESSACEAE
Juniperus	communis subsp. nana	Dwarf Juniper	N	N!
PINACEAE
Abies	procera	Nobe Fir	N	P-E
Picea	sitchensis	Sitka Spruce	N	P-E
Pinus	contorta	Lodgepole Pine	N	P-E
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Narcissus	sp.	Daffodil	AR	P-E
APONOGETONACEAE
Aponogeton	distachyos	Cape-pondweed	AN	P-TE
ASPARAGACEAE
Hyacinthoides	x massartiana	Bluebell	AN	P-E
Scilla	verna	Spring Squill	N	N!
ASPHODELACEAE
Phormium	tenax	New Zealand Flax	AN	P-E
CYPERACEAE
Carex	bigelowii	Stiff Sedge	N	N!
Carex	binervis	Green-ribbed Sedge	N	N!
Carex	dioica	Dioecious Sedge	N	N!
Carex	echinata	Star Sedge	N	N!
Carex	flacca	Glaucous Sedge	N	N!
Carex	hostiana	Tawny Sedge	N	N!
Carex	leporina		N	NC-F/SL
Carex	nigra	Common Sedge	N	N!
Carex	panicea	Carnation Sedge	N	N!
Carex	pilulifera	Pill Sedge	N	N!
Carex	pulicaris	Flea Sedge	N	N!
Carex	viridula subsp. viridula	Small-fruited Yellow-sedge	N	N!
Carex	viridula subsp. oedocarpa	Common Yellow-sedge	N	N!
Eleocharis	palustris	Common Spike-rush	N	N!
Eleocharis	quinqueflora	Few-flowered Spike-rush	N	N!
Eleogiton	fluitans	Floating Club-rush	N	N!
Eriophorum	angustifolium	Common Cottongrass	N	N!
Eriophorum	vaginatum	Hare's-tail Cottongrass	N	N!
Schoenus	nigricans	Black Bog-rush	N	N!
Trichophorum	cespitosum subsp. germanicum	Deergrass	N	N!
IRIDACEAE
Crocosmia	x crocosmiiflora	Montbretia	AN	P-E
Iris	pseudacorus	Yellow Iris	N	N!
JUNCACEAE
Juncus	articulatus	Jointed Rush	N	N!
Juncus	bufonius	Toad Rush	N	N!
Juncus	bulbosus	Bulbous Rush	N	N!
Juncus	conglomeratus	Compact Rush	N	N!
Juncus	effusus	Soft Rush	N	P-E
Juncus	gerardii	Saltmarsh Rush	N	N!
Juncus	squarrosus	Heath Rush	N	N!
Luzula	campestris	Field Wood-rush	N	N!
Luzula	multiflora	Heath Wood-rush	N	N!
Luzula	sylvatica	Great Wood-rush	N	N!
JUNCAGINACEAE
Triglochin	palustris	Marsh Arrowgrass	N	N!
NARTHECIACEAE
Narthecium	ossifragum	Bog Asphodel	N	N!
ORCHIDACEAE
Coeloglossum	viride	Frog Orchid	N	N!	VU
Dactylorhiza	incarnata	Early Marsh-orchid	N	N!
Dactylorhiza	x formosa		N	N!
Dactylorhiza	x latirella		N	N!
Dactylorhiza	maculata subsp. ericetorum		N	N!
Dactylorhiza	purpurella		N	N!
Neottia	cordata		N	N!
POACEAE
Agrostis	capillaris	Common Bent	N	N!
Agrostis	stolonifera	Creeping Bent	N	N!
Agrostis	vinealis	Brown Bent	N	N!
Aira	praecox	Early Hair-grass	N	N!
Alopecurus	geniculatus	Marsh Foxtail	N	N!
Alopecurus	pratensis	Meadow Foxtail	N	N!
Anthoxanthum	odoratum	Sweet Vernal-grass	N	N!
Arrhenatherum	elatius	False Oat-grass	N	C-TE
Avena	sativa	Oat	AR	E
Avena	strigosa	Bristle Oat	AR	E
Briza	maxima	Greater Quaking-grass	AN	C-F/SL
Bromus	hordaceus	Common Soft-brome	N	C-F/SL
Cynosurus	cristatus	Crested Dog's-tail	N	C-E
Dactylis	glomerata	Cock's-foot	N	N!
Danthonia	decumbens	Heath Grass	N	N!
Deschampsia	cespitosa	Tufted Hair-grass	N	N!
Deschampsia	flexuosa	Wavy Hair-grass	N	N!
Elytrigia	repens	Common Couch	N	N!
Festuca	rubra	Red Fescue	N	N!
Festuca	vivipara	Viviparous Sheep's-fescue	N	N!
Glyceria	fluitans	Floating Sweet-grass	N	N!
Holcus	lanatus	Yorkshire Fog	N	N!
Hordeum	distichon	Two-rowed Barley	AR	C-F/SL
Hordeum	vulgare	Six-rowed Barley	AR	P-F/SL
Lolium	multiflorum	Italian Rye-grass	N	C-F/SL
Lolium	perenne	Perennial Rye-grass	N	N!
Molinia	caerulea	Purple Moor-grass	N	N!
Nardus	stricta	Mat-grass	N	N!
Phalaris	arundinacea	Reed Canary-grass	N	N!
Phalaris	canariensis	Canary Grass	AN	C-F/SL
Phleum	bertolonii	Smaller Cat's-tail	N	C-F/SL
Phleum	pratense	Timothy	N	C-TE
Poa	annua	Annual Meadow-grass	N	N!
Poa	humilis	Spreading Meadow-grass	N	N!
Poa	trivialis	Rough Meadow-grass	N	N!
Puccinellia	distans subsp. borealis	Northern Saltmarsh-grass	N	N!	NS
Triticum	aestivum	Bread Wheat	AR	C-F/SL
POTAMOGETONACEAE
Potamogeton	polygonifolius	Bog Pondweed	N	N!
TYPHACEAE
Sparganium	angustifolium	Floating Bur-reed	N	U
ZOSTERACEAE
Zostera	marina	Eelgrass	N	NC-F/SL
ADOXACEAE
Sambucus	nigra	Elder	N	P-E
AMARANTHACEAE
Atriplex	glabriuscula	Babington's Orache	N	N!
Atriplex	patula	Common Orache	N	C-E
Atriplex	prostrata	Spear-leaved Orache	N	N!
Chenopodium	album	Fat-hen	N	C-F/SL
Chenopodium	murale	Nettle-leaved Goosfoot	AR	C-F/SL
Chenopodium	quinoa	Quinoa	AN	P-F/SL
APIACEAE
Aegopodium	podagraria	Ground-elder	AR	N!
Angelica	sylvestris	Wild Angelica	N	N!
Apium	inundatum	Lesser Marshwort	N	N!
Bupleurum	subovatum		AN	C-F/SL
Heracleum	sphondylium	Hogweed	N	C*
Ligusticum	scoticum	Scots Lovage	N	N!
Peucedanum	ostruthium	Masterwort	N	E
ARALIACEAE
Hydrocotyle	vulgaris	Marsh Pennywort	N	N!
ASTERACEAE
Achillea	millefolium	Yarrow	N	N!
Achillea	ptarmica	Sneezewort	N	N!
Anaphalis	margaritacea	Pearly Everasting	AN	P-E
Antennaria	dioica	Mountain Everlasting	N	N!
Artemisia	vulgaris	Mugwort	AR	C*
Aster	x salignus		AN	P-E
Bellis	perennis	Daisy	N	N!
Centaurea	nigra	Common Knapweed	N	C-E
Cirsium	arvense	Creeping Thistle	N	N!
Cirsium	vulgare	Spear Thistle	N	N!
Glebionis	coronaria	Crown Daisy	AR	C-F/SL
Glebionis	segetum	Corn Marigold	AN	C-F/SL
Gnaphalium	uliginosum	Marsh Cudweed	N	N!
Helianthus	annuus	Sunflower	AN	C-F/SL
Hypochaeris	radicata	Cat's-ear	N	C-E
Leucanthemum	vulgare	Oxeye Daisy	N	C-E
Matricaria	chamomilla		AR	C-F/SL
Matricaria	discoidea	Pineappleweed	AN	C-E
Scorzoneroides	autumnalis		N	N!
Senecio	aquaticus	Marsh Ragwort	N	N!
Senecio	smithii	Magellan Ragwort	AN	P-E
Senecio	vulgaris	Groundsel	N	N!
Sonchus	arvensis	Perennial Sow-thistle	N	N!
Sonchus	asper	Prickly Sow-thistle	N	N!
Sonchus	oleraceus	Smooth Sow-thistle	N	C*
Tanacetum	vulgare	Tansy	AN	P-E
Taraxacum	agg.		N	N!
Taraxacum	bracteatum		N	N!
Taraxacum	duplidentrifons		N	N!
Taraxacum	euryphyllum		N	N!
Taraxacum	faeroense		N	N!
Taraxacum	hamatulum		N	N!
Taraxacum	lapponicum		N	N!
Taraxacum	polyodon		N	N!
Taraxacum	praestans		N	N!
Tripleurospermum	maritimum	Sea Mayweed	N	N!
Tussilago	farfara	Colt's-foot	N	N!
BETULACEAE
Betula	pubescens	Down Birch	N	P-E
BORAGINACEAE
Anchusa	arvensis	Bugloss	AR	N!
Mertensia	maritima	Oysterplant	N	NC-E	NT
Myosotis	arvensis	Field Forget-me-not	AR	N!
Myosotis	discolor	Changing Forget-me-not	N	N*
Myosotis	laxa subsp. caespitosa	Tufted Forget-me-not	N	N!
Symphytum	x uplandicum		AN	P-E
BRASSICACEAE
Barbarea	vulgaris	Winter-cress	N	C*
Brassica	juncea	Chinese Mustard	AN	C-F/SL
Brassica	nigra	Black Mustard	N	C-F/SL
Brassica	rapa subsp. oleifera	Turnip-rape	AN	C-F/SL
Cakile	maritima	Sea Rocket	N	NC-F/SL
Capsella	bursa-pastoris	Sheperd's-purse	AR	N!
Cardamine	flexuosa	Wavy Bitter-cress	N	C-TE
Cardamine	pratensis	Cuckooflower	N	N!
Cochlearia	danica	Danish Scurvygrass	N	N!
Cochlearia	officinalis	Common Scurvygrass	N	N!
Cochlearia	officinalis subsp. scotica	Scottish Scurvygrass	N	U
Diplotaxis	tenuifolia	Perennial Wall-rocket	AR	C-TE
Eruca	vesicaria subsp. sativa	Garden Rocket	AR	C-F/SL
Erysimum	cheiranthoides	Treacle Mustard	AR	C-F/SL
Raphanus	raphanistrum		N	N*
Sinapis	arvensis	Charlock	AR	C-F/SL
Sisymbrium	officinale	Hedge Mustard	AR	C-F/SL
Thlaspi	arvense	Field Penny-cress	AR	C-F/SL
CAMPANULACEAE
Jasione	montana	Sheep's-bit	N	N!
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Lonicera	periclymenum	Honeysuckle	N	P-E
Succisa	pratensis	Devils-bit Scabious	N	N!
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Cerastium	diffusum	Sea Mouse-ear	N	N!
Cerastium	fontanum	Common Mouse-ear	N	N!
Cerastium	glomeratum	Sticky Mouse-ear	N	NC-F/SL
Honckenya	peploides	Sea Sandwort	N	N*
Sagina	maritima	Sea Pearlwort	N	N!
Sagina	procumbens		N	N!
Sagina	subulata	Heath Pearlwort	N	N!
Silene	acaulis	Moss Campion	N	N*
Silene	dioica	Red Campion	N	N!
Silene	flos-cuculi		N	N!
Silene	latifolia	White Campion	N	C-F/SL
Silene	uniflora	Sea Campion	N	N!
Spergula	arvensis	Corn Spurrey	N	N!	VU
Spergularia	marina	Lesser Sea-spurrey	N	NC-E
Spergularia	media	Greater Sea-spurrey	N	N!
Stellaria	alsine	Bog Stitchwort	N	N!
Stellaria	media	Common Chickweed	N	N!
CRASSULACEAE
Sedum	rosea	Roseroot	N	N!
DROSERACEAE
Drosera	rotundifolia	Round-leaved Sundew	N	N-RC
ERICACEAE
Calluna	vulgaris	Heather	N	N!
Empetrum	nigrum		N	N!
Erica	cinerea	Bell Heather	N	N!
EUPHORBIACEAE
Euphorbia	helioscopia	Sun Spurge	AR	N!
Euphorbia	peplus	Petty Spurge	AR	C-F/SL
FABACEAE
Anthyllis	vulneraria	Kidney Vetch	N	N!
Lathyrus	pratensis	Meadow Vetchling	N	N!
Lotus	corniculatus	Common Bird's-foot-trefoil	N	N!
Melilotus	indicus	Small Melilot	AN	C-F/SL
Trifolium	hybridum subsp. hybridum	Alsike Clover	AN	C-F/SL
Trifolium	pratense	Red Clover	N	C-TE
Trifolium	repens	White Clover	N	N!
Ulex	europaeus	Gorse	N	P-TE
Ulex	gallii	Western Gorse	N	P-E
Vicia	cracca	Turfted Vetch	N	N!
Vicia	sepium	Bush Vetch	N	N!
GENTIANACEAE
Gentianella	campestris	Field Gentian	N	N!	VU
GERANIACEAE
Geranium	dissectum	Cut-leaved Crane's-bill	AR	C-F/SL
Geranium	pratense	Meadow Crane's-bill	N	E
GROSSULARIACEAE
Ribes	sanguineum	Flowering Currant	AN	P-E
HALORAGACEAE
Myriophyllum	alterniflorum	Alternate Water-milfoil	N	N!
HYPERICACEAE
Hypericum	pulchrum	Slender St John's-wort	N	N!
LAMIACEAE
Ballota	nigra	Black Horehound	AR	C-TE
Galeopsis	bifida	Bifid Hemp-nettle	N	N!
Galeopsis	tetrahit		N	N!
Lamium	confertum	Northern Dead-nettle	AR	N!
Lamium	purpureum	Red Dead-nettle	AR	N!
Mentha	aquatica	Water Mint	N	N!
Mentha	spicata	Spear Mint	AR	P-E
Mentha	x piperita	Peppermint	AN	P-E
Prunella	vulgaris	Sealfheal	N	N!
Stachys	x ambigua		N	P-E
Thymus	polytrichus	Wild Thyme	N	N!
LENTIBULARIACEAE
Pinguicula	vulgaris	Common Butterwort	N	N!
LINACEAE
Linum	catharticum	Fairy Flax	N	N!
Radiola	linoides	Allseed	N	N!	NT
MONTIACEAE
Montia	fontana	Blinks	N	N!
ONAGRACEAE
Epilobium	ciliatum	American Willowherb	AN	C-TE
Epilobium	obscurum	Short-fruited Willowherb	N	C-F/SL
Epilobium	palustre	Marsh Willowherb	N	N!
Epilobium	parviflorum	Hoary Willowherb		C-F/SL
OROBANCHACEAE
Euphrasia	arctica		N	N!
Euphrasia	confusa		N	N!
Euphrasia	foulaensis		N	N!	NS
Euphrasia	marshallii		N	M	EN
Euphrasia	micrantha		N	N!
Euphrasia	nemorosa		N	N!
Euphrasia	ostenfeldii		N	N!	NS
Euphrasia	scottica		N	N!
Odontites	vernus		N	C*	NS
Pedicularis	palustris		N	N*
Pedicularis	sylvatica		N	N!
Rhinanthus	minor		N	N!
PAPAVERACEAE
Fumaria	sp.		AR	C-F/SL
Glaucium	flavum	Yellow-horned Poppy	N	U
Papaver	rhoeas	Common Poppy	AR	P-F/SL
PLANTAGINACEAE
Callitriche	hamulata	Intermediate Water-starwort	N	N!
Callitriche	stagnalis	Common Water-starwort	N	N!
Littorella	uniflora	Shoreweed	N	N!
Plantago	coronopus	Buck's-horn Plantain	N	N!
Plantago	lanceolata	Ribwort Plantain	N	N!
Plantago	major	Greater Plantain	N	N!
Plantago	maritima	Sea Plantain	N	N!
Veronica	filiformis	Slender Speedwell	AN	C-F/SL
Veronica	persica	Common Field-speedwell	AN	C-F/SL
PLUMBAGINACEAE
Armeria	maritima		N	N!
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala	serpyllifolia	Heath Milkwort	N	N!
POLYGONACEAE
Fallopia	convolvulus	Black Bindweed	AR	C-F/SL
Fallopia	japonica	Japanese Knotweed	AN	P-E
Persicaria	amphibia	Amphibious Bistort	N	N!
Persicaria	bistorta	Common Bistort	N	E
Persicaria	lapathifolia	Pale Persicaria	N	C-F/SL
Persicaria	maculosa	Redshank	N	C-E
Persicaria	vivipara	Alpine Bistort	N	N!
Polygonum	arenastrum	Equal-leaved Knotgrass	AR	N!
Polygonum	aviculare	Knotgrass	N	NC-F/SL
Polygonum	boreale	Northern Knotgrass	N	N!	NS
Rumex	acetosa	Common Sorrel	N	N!
Rumex	acetosella	Sheep's Sorrel	N	N!
Rumex	crispus	Curled Dock	N	N!
Rumex	longifolius	Northern Dock	N	N!
Rumex	obtusifolius	Broad-leaved Dock	N	C-F/SL
PRIMULACEAE
Anagallis	arvensis		N	C-F/SL
Anagallis	tenella	Bog Pimpernel	N	N!
Glaux	maritima	Sea-milkwort	N	N!
Primula	vulgaris	Primrose	N	N!
Trientalis	europaea	Chickweed-wintergreen	N	N!
RANUNCULACEAE
Caltha	palustris	Marsh Marigold	N	N!
Ficaria	verna		N	N!
Ranunculus	acris	Meadow Buttercup	N	N!
Ranunculus	flammula	Lesser Spearwort	N	N!
Ranunculus	hederaceus	Ivy-leaved Crowfoot	N	N!
Ranunculus	repens	Creeping Buttercup	N	N!
ROSACEAE
Alchemilla	mollis	Garden Lady's-mantle	AN	P-E
Comarum	palustre		N	N!
Filipendula	ulmaria	Meadowsweet	N	N!
Potentilla	anserina	Silversweed	N	N!
Potentilla	erecta	Tormentil	N	N!
Rosa	canina	Dog-rose	N	C-F/SL
Rosa	rugosa	Japanese Rose	AN	P-E
Rubus	spectabilis	Salmonberry	AN	P-E
Sorbus	aria	Common Whitebeam	N	P-E
RUBIACEAE
Galium	aparine	Cleavers	N	N!
Galium	palustre	Marsh Bedstraw	N	N!
Galium	saxatile	Heath Bedstraw	N	N!
SALICACEAE
Salix	cinerea subsp. oleifolia	Rusty Willow	N	N!
Salix	herbacea	Dwarf Willow	N	N!
Salix	repens	Creeping Willow	N	N!
Salix	x smithiana	Broad-leaved Osier	AN	P-E
SAPINDACEAE
Acer	pseudoplatanus	Sycamore	AN	P-E
SOLANACEAE
Solanum	tuberosum	Potato	AN	P-E
URTICACEAE
Urtica	dioica	Common Nettle	N	N!
VIOLACEAE
Viola	canina	Heath Dog-violet	N	N!
Viola	palustris	Marsh Violet	N	N!
Viola	riviniana	Common Dog-violet	N	N!
Viola	tricolor	Wild Pansy	N	N!	NT

Abbreviations

Symbol	Native status
N	native
AR	archaeophytes (non-native introduced in 'ancient' times)
AN	neophyte (non-native introduced in recent history)

Symbol	Fair Isle status	Description
N!	Native Extant	Species still found on the island
N*	Native Extinct	Species not seen at present
N-RC	Native Recent Colonist	Species currently increasing in abundance or colonising new sites
NC-E	Natural Colonist Established	Recent colonists now widespread or abundant
NC-F/SL	Natural Colonist Failed/Short-lived	Those species of intermittent presence
C-E	Casual Established	Accidental introductions that are long established
C-TE	Casual Temporarily Established	Accidental introductions in small and often short-lived populations
C*	Casual Extinct	Accidental introductions not seen at present
C-F/SL	Casual Failed Short-lived	Accidental infrequent species that never established
P-E	Planted Established	Extant species planted outside formal garden situations
P-TE	Planted Temporarily Established	Species planted outside garden situations
P-F/SL	Planted Failed/Short Lived	Failed species planted outside formal garden situations
E	Escapes	Garden escapees
U	Unverified	Species described as present by previous authors but not found subsequently
D	Doubtful	Previously described species now considered unlikely by expert opinion

Symbol	Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain
EN	endangered
NR	nationally rare
NS	nationally scarce
NT	near threatened
VU	vulnerable

Reference

Quinteros Peñafiel, C.V., Riddiford, N.J. & Twyford, A.D. 2017. A floristic survey of Fair Isle. New Journal of Botany 7(2-3): 101-111.