Box 9LL Endemic plants

Lavanda, Balkan Peninsula

Source: W Leonardi, Frank Spooner Pictures


A plant is called endemic if it is native to the region and its distribution within that region is restricted to a narrow geographical area. The term 'endemic' is only useful in connection with the region for which it is valid, eg, 'endemic to the Canary Islands' or 'endemic to Europe'.

The main force in the evolution of endemic species is the geographical isolation of populations. But evolution needs time, and hence a strong negative correlation can be recognised between the numbers of endemic species per country with the southern frontier of ice during glaciation. Areas especially rich in endemics include the southeastern Alps, the Balkan and Iberian peninsulas, as well as islands like the Canary Islands.