Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Malta's National Plant - 'Widnet il-Bahar'



This plant has been declared Malta's national plant in 1971 and is endemic to the Maltese Islands, being found only in Malta and Gozo in the world. It's habitat is mostly seaside coralline limestone cliffs and screes, where it grows with other Maltese endemic plants. It's English name amongst others is Maltese - Rock Centuary, and it's scientific name is : Palaeocyonus Crassifolius (Bertoloni) Dostal. This is one of the photos my friend Laetitia's has taken on her day visit to San Anton gardens.

15 comments:

Peter said...

I guess and believe it must be very heat resistant!

Dina said...

yes , plants here have to be very tough , today especially is one of those hot days where sweat comes out in abundance!!

marie6 said...

Interesting info about this plant, thanks.

Dina said...

marie 6, glad you liked the information it is rather interesting to know. See you.

Lori said...

Very interesting! I love to see the vegetation from other parts of the world. This looks like a hardy plant. We must be getting the same hot weather now!

Wanda said...

Thanks for stopping my my post. Hey, I learn something new everyday! Ill be back!

~tanty~ said...

Hi Dina!
Do you know why Malta chose this plant to be Malta's National Plant?
Thanks for the info.

Anonymous said...

interesting history/info on this plant, cool shot!

Dina said...

Tanty, I would guess that it is because it is found only on our islands.

thanks everyone for stopping here

Anonymous said...

The botanic name of this plant is CENTAUREA SPATHULATA ZERAFA. This name was given after Stefanus Zerafa, the botanist who discovered it. It is so written on the stamps issued by the Malta Postal Authoritis on 18 September 1971.
TONY

andrew said...

who leaves a comment say if your maltese i am

Anonymous said...

So sorry to tell you that the name "Widnet il-Bahar" is a corruption of "WIDNET IL-BAQAR". Infact, the leaves are very similar to cows' ears. You can verify this by looking it up in old maltese dictionaries.

Laura Vasilion said...

Andrew, you are Maltese? If so, I would like to talk to you about your country.

Laura Vasilion said...

I live in the United States, Andrew.

Laura Vasilion said...

Dear group,

I am a travel blogger looking to speak with someone who lives in Malta and is of Maltese descent. If you would like to contact me about your beautiful country please email me at vasilionlaura@gmail.com.

Many thanks.

L. Vasilion