Flora of Malta

Typical flora of Malta consist of the following plants.[1] While small compared to other countries, the Maltese Islands contain flowers that grow on Malta, Gozo, Comino, Filfla, St Paul's Islands and Fungus Rock.[2]

Maltese everlasting

• Scientific name: Helichrysum melitense[3]
• Maltese name: sempreviva ta' għawdex[3]

A rare endemic bush growing up to one metre and found only on the western cliffs of Gozo and on Fungus Rock. Its bright yellow flowers can be seen around May and June. Its long and narrow whitish leaves have a covering of short hair.

Hoary rock-rose

• Scientific name: Cistus creticus[3]
• Maltese name: cistu roża[3]

A very scarce wild flower found mainly in garrigue, where occasionally it is the dominant species. Its large pinkish-red flowers appear in spring, on a shrub with sticky leaves.

Evergreen rose

• Scientific name: Rosa sempervirens[3]
• Maltese name: girlanda tal-wied[3]

A rare perennial evergreen climber with thorny stems, glossy compound leaves and shiny red fruit. Its white flowers appear in spring and early summer. Found growing in maquis and on the sides of sheltered valleys.

Wild artichoke

• Scientific name: Cynara cardunculus[3]
• Maltese name: qaqoċċ tax-xewk[3]

A common perennial with very large spiny leaves, generally flowering in early summer. It has large deep bluish-violet flower heads, and grows in steppes, especially on clay and garrigue, sometimes even on disturbed ground..

Maltese pyramidal orchid

• Scientific name: Anacamptis urvilleana[3]
• Maltese name: orkida piramidali ta' Malta[3]

A scarce endemic orchid, resembling the common pyramidal orchid, but having smaller and paler pink or white flowers. Flowers can be found from February to April in garrigue and rocky steppes.

Pheasant's eye

• Scientific name: Adonis microcarpa[3]
• Maltese name: għallet is-serduq[3]

A rare annual wild flower with delicate fine leaves and bright red flowers appearing during winter and spring. They grow in cultivated land. Heavily persecuted through picking.

Sea daffodil

• Scientific name: Pancratium maritimum[3]
• Maltese name: pankrazju[3]

Southern dwarf iris

• Scientific name: Iris pseudopumila[3]
• Maltese name: bellus[3]

French daffodil

• Scientific name: Narcissus tazetta[3]
• Maltese name: narċis[3]

Yellow-throated crocus

• Scientific name: Crocus longiflorus[3]
• Maltese name: żagħfran salvaġġ[3]

Large Star of Bethlehem

• Scientific name: Ornithogalum arabicum[3]
• Maltese name: ħalib it-tajr kbir[3]

Wild tulip

• Scientific name: Tulipa sylvestris[3]
• Maltese name: tulipan salvaġġ[3]

Common poppy

• Scientific name: Papaver rhoeas[3]
• Maltese name: peprin[3]

Red campion

• Scientific name: Silene colorata[3]
• Maltese name: lsien l-għasfur[3]

Corn chamomile

• Scientific name: Anthemis arvensis[3]
• Maltese name: bebuna tar-raba'[3]

Borage

• Scientific name: Borago officinalis[3]
• Maltese name: fidloqqom[3]

Crown daisy

• Scientific name: Chrysanthemum coronarium[3]
• Maltese name: lellux[3]

Common mallow

• Scientific name: Malva sylvestris[3]
• Maltese name: ħobbejża komuni[3]

Virgin bush

• Scientific name: Vitex agnus-castus[3]
• Maltese name: sigret il-virgi[3]

Spanish broom

• Scientific name: Spartium junceum[3]
• Maltese name: genistra safra[3]

Mediterranean hawthorn

• Scientific name: Crataegus azarolus[3]
• Maltese name: għanzalor[3]

Judas tree

• Scientific name: Cercis siliquastrum[3]
• Maltese name: siġra ta' Ġuda[3]

Myrtle

• Scientific name: Myrtus communis[3]
• Maltese name: riħan[3]

Lentisk

• Scientific name: Pistacia lentiscus[3]
• Maltese name: deru[3]

References

1. Lanfranco, Guido (1959). "Maltese flora: Malta Yearbook". St. Michael's College Publications: 192–195. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
2. Lanfranco, Guido (2003). "Ix-xjenzi naturali - flora u fawna". In C. Savona-Ventura (ed.). L-istorja tax-xjenza f’Malta (PDF). P.E.G. Ltd. pp. 9–48. ISBN 9993217069.
3. "MaltaWildPlants.com".