Anguilla is one of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean. It consists of the main island of Anguilla, together with a number of uninhabited smaller islands and cays. Anguilla itself is a flat coral limestone island, the highest point reaching only 65 m. The island has a dry, tropical climate which is moderated by trade winds. Rainfall averages 90 cm per year with September and October being the wettest months.

The vegetation of Anguilla is largely determined by the low rainfall and substrate which comprises limestone rock pavement and thin gravelly soils. The most luxuriant vegetation is dry thicket with some emergent trees reaching a maximum of 10 m in more sheltered locations. In drier situations and where browsing by goats is extensive, dry scrub predominates. In protected places, most notably in the western end of the island, there are small stands of dry forest. There are approximately 320 plant species in Anguilla, however, 200 of these are non-native. One endemic species occurs on the island, Rondeletia anguillensis, a shrub in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). Anguilla is also home to two Caribbean endemic genera; Dendropemon (1sp.) and Hypelate (1sp.).

Much of Anguilla's native vegetation is highly degraded due to unsustainable tourism and housing development which, is perhaps the greatest threat to the island's indigenous plant species and their habitats. Large areas of climax vegetation are becoming increasingly modified, fragmented and continue to deteriorate. Overgrazing by feral livestock (goats) and competition from alien invasive weed species compound the issue further.

A recent collaboration between RBG, Kew and Anguilla's Department of Environment (DoE), supported a MSc project which focused on the study of the endemic Rondeletia anguillensis. This work has provided an up-to-date distribution map for the endemic species and the necessary data to formally assess the species for inclusion on the IUCN Red List. Further botanical studies are urgently needed in Anguilla for conservation assessments and priorities to be established. Following this work, the existing plant species check list needs to be updated and subsequently, a red list must be produced for the island.