St Kilda dandelion facts for kids

The Taraxacum pankhurstianum, also known as the St Kilda dandelion, is a special type of dandelion. Scientists officially identified it as a new species in 2012. This happened after seeds from the plant were grown at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The seeds were first collected in 2010 on Hirta island. Hirta is the biggest island in the St Kilda group of islands, located off the west coast of Scotland.

This unique dandelion was named after Richard Pankhurst. He was a retired staff member at the Royal Botanic Garden. He was the one who suggested that these special seeds should be collected.

About the St Kilda Dandelion

What Makes It Special?

The St Kilda dandelion looks different from other dandelions. Its flower buds have unique, hairy outer parts called bracts. These hairy bracts helped botanists (plant scientists) realize it was a new species. It belongs to the Asteraceae family, which is the largest family of flowering plants. The St Kilda dandelion is also much smaller than the common dandelion you might see in your garden.

Where Does It Live?

So far, the St Kilda dandelion has only been found on the island of Hirta. The last people living on Hirta left the island in 1930. Scientists believe this dandelion might be endemic to the area. This means it only grows naturally in that one specific place. If this is true, it would be one of the rarest plants in all of Scotland!

One reason it might be so rare on St Kilda is that animals like sheep, and possibly some birds, eat it. Scientists think the flower might have originally come from Iceland. It could have been carried to Hirta by birds or even by the Vikings long ago.