Maltese man-made habitats: Agricultural land, artificial features and disturbed ground

Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria Judaica) and the

invasive alien Cape sorrel (Oxalis pes-caprae).

Ruderal vegetation, most commonly found in

disturbed ground, are Cape sorrel (Oxalis pes-

caprae), Boar thistle (Galactities tomentosa),

Perennial wall rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), Fennel

(Foeniculum vulgare), Crown daisy (Glebionis

coronaria), Sticky fleabane (Dittrichia viscosa) and

Tree mallow (Lavatera arborea).

Photography: Guido Bonett, Jeffrey Sciberras

Traditionally and extensively, cultivated areas may

harbour a rich flora of field weeds, including Field

marigold (Calendula arvensis), Winged larkspur

(Delphinium halteratum), Love-in-a-mist (Nigella

damascena), Poppies (Papaver rhoeas, P. dubium

and P. hybridum), Field bindweed (Convolvulus

arvensis), Fumitory (Fumaria spp.), Crisped

St John’s wort (Hypericum triquetrifolium),

Roundleaved fluellen (Kickxia spuria), Common

heliotrope (Heliotropium europaeum) and Prostrate

pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides).

Other wild plants more associated with walls

comprise Snapdragons (Antirrhinum turtousum

and A. siculum), Caper (Capparis orientalis), Crown daisy

Caper

PLANT HEALTH DIRECTORATE

Wild plants and the habitats they form constitute

essential elements of the local biodiversity and our

natural heritage. Through the EAFRD Project on

the Study and Sustainable Conservation of Varieties

of Local Plants, the Plant Health Directorate has

embarked upon activities to conserve such species,

particularly those characterised by small and isolated

populations, in order to safeguard them against the

risks of human-induced impacts, natural disasters

and climate change effects.

Maltese man-made habitats: Agricultural land, artificial features and disturbed ground

These habitats are character ised by the

overwhelming influence of human activity and the

species therein are therefore adapted to severe

and frequent disturbance. The natural flora mainly

subsists in fields under extensive and traditional

cultivation among fruiting trees and crops, in fallow

fields, in gardens, along roads, on walls and on

disturbed ground.

Address:

Plant Health Directorate, Plant Biotechnology Centre,

Annibale Preca Str, Lija LJA 1915, Malta.

Website: www.planthealth.gov.mt

Telephone: 22926535

Email: plant.health@gov.mt

Greater snapdragon

White wall rocket and Perennial wall rocket

Parliamentary Secretariat for agriculture,fiSherieS and animal rightS