Common name: Large Jellico
Scientific name:Sium helenianum
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Natural History
The large jellico can be found in several guts on the Peaks. Where present it is often the dominat vegetation type. These stalk like plants probably once grew abundantly but have declined due to the invasive growth of flax and bilberry on Diana's Peak and High Peak and along central ridge.
The stems of this plant were once eaten raw by the islanders who could buy it at the local market.
DESCRIPTION
This is a beautiful umbelliferous plant which grows to a height of about 2-2.5m. It has thick, fleshy green stems that are hollow and and spreading compound leaves about 1m long. with many spiked edged leaves.
The flower are borne at the tops of the plant in a large spreading umbel of many hundreds of small white flowers which produce small green fruit.
Flowering usually occur in the month of December but according to weather conditions it may flower at different periods.
NUMBER OF SURVIVING POPULATIONS
There are many natural populations that can be found growing around the Peaks. One large population can be found growing near Acteon, another below Cuckolds Point and many smaller patches on the slopes of the Sandy Bay Ridges facing Rose Cottage. Smaller populations can also be found at High Peak.
CONSERVATION RECOVERY PROGRAMMES
The large jellico has survived in larger numbers than the Dwarf Jellico. However, in most of the places where it occurs it is heavily invaded with bilberry, whiteweed, paper tree and other invasive weeds of the peaks.
It has also been planted in the restoration trials at Taylor's, Longwood side of Diana's Peak and High Ridge. Areas where Large Jellico are heavily invaded with alien species will be cleared according to the Peaks Managament Plan.