Fragments from the Wreck of an Ancient World: The isolated Atlantic island of St Helena's harboured forty-five special plant species anad hundreds of animal for millions of years.

St Helena has an impoverished but unique flora of 49 endemic (found on St Helena and no where else in the world) species of flowering plant and 13 endemic species of ferns. This flora has been eroded due to the extinction of at least six species since the arrival of man on the Island.

A short description of the New Zealand Flax plant, common on St Helena, S Atlantic Ocean

Environment - Fauna

Environment - Flora

The Wirebird is featured on St Helena's coat of arms and is held in great affection by island residents. First mentioned in 1638, the species was not fors a result of its extreme isolation, the island of St Helena has given rise to a surprising number of unique endemic animals and plants.

The Wirebird Chardrius sanctae helenae is the last surviving endemic land bird on St Helena. The wirebird is closely related to the Kittlitz's Sand Plover C. pecarius of Africa although it is larger and has a different marking.