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5 plants worth knowing

Malta

Malta is covered mainly by low Mediterranean scrub – garrigue and maquis – on limestone plateaus, in dry valleys (wied) and on steep cliffs. Its forests were cleared as early as antiquity, and dense development together with hot, dry summers means that the most valuable plants have survived on inaccessible cliffs. Even so, the archipelago has more than a dozen endemic species, including its national plant.

Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.

where it grows

  1. Maltese centaury 1

    shrub · National plant of Malta

    Maltese centaury

    Cheirolophus crassifolius

    An endemic found only on Maltese cliffs – this rock-dwelling relative of the cornflower is Malta’s official national plant.
  2. Arar 2

    tree · National tree of Malta

    Arar

    Tetraclinis articulata

    A conifer of the cypress family whose resin – sandarac – was used to varnish paintings and violins.
  3. Maltese mushroom 3

    herbaceous plant

    Maltese mushroom

    Cynomorium coccineum

    The “Maltese mushroom” of Fungus Rock was so precious that the Knights of St John guarded the rock and punished theft with the galleys.
  4. Conehead thyme 4

    dwarf shrub

    Conehead thyme

    Thymbra capitata

    Wild thyme turns Malta’s hills purple, and bees make it into a famous honey that may even have given the island its name.
  5. Caper bush 5

    shrub

    Caper bush

    Capparis spinosa

    Capers hang from the fortifications of Valletta and Mdina, and their pickled buds are essential in Malta’s ħobż biż-żejt.