The Pale Maiden is honoured with being the National Flower of the Falkland Islands. Leaves are long and narrow. Leafless stalks usually have a cluster of delicate bell shaped, six- petalled flowers which are white with purple/ magenta veins. They have a distinctive sweet smell. Flowers ripen to seed capsules.

Common and abundant, found on white grass flats, dwarf and coastal heath. Areas become peppered with their white heads in spring (November). The stalks grow markedly longer amongst long white grass. This race is endemic to the Falkland Islands.

Sources include:, A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Plants of the Falkland Islands- Ali Liddle, Flowering Plants of the Falkland Islands- Robin W. Woods,The Vascular Flora of the Falkland Islands- D. M. Moore, B.Sc., Ph.D, 1968, The Flowering Plants of the Falkland Islands- E. F. Vallentin.

Photographic credits: Ali Marsh,

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