Protected Plants

THE MALTESE CLIFF-ORACHE

(BJANKA TA' L-IRDUM)

This plant is known in the world only from some cliffs of Malta and Gozo. Hence it is called an endemic plant. This plant is actually a large shrub with succulent leaves which usually grows up to 1.5m high in the wild. It is locally rare, and is known to grow in a few coralline limestone cliffs like at Migra Ferha, Ghar Hasan and Fomm ir-Rih in Malta, patchily along the cliffs in the areas between Ta' Cenc and Rdum San Dimitri in Gozo, and on Hagret il-General (Fungus Rock). However, since the shrub grows on such sheer cliffs, the Maltese Cliff-Orache can easily be observed from land only in a few spots such as at Migra Ferha (Rabat, Malta) and Ta' Cenc (Gozo). This species represents a long-existing relict species which has thrived in the Maltese Islands for millions of years. Probably, it was already in Malta before the Ice Ages. Furthermore, it is so ancient that it has no true close relatives, except for the fact that it is considered to be an ancestor of the oraches, an important group of plants which also includes the so-called bjanka (Atriplex halimus), a shrub which is widely utilised as a hedge or planted near the sea in the Maltese Islands. Unfortunately, although this particular plant lives in rather inaccessible areas (cliffs), it is highly threatened by extinction due to various reasons, including: A fungal disease which probably affects all living wild individuals. Low natural recruitment in its natural environment. Gradual replacement in the natural environment by species which have been brought to the Maltese Islands from abroad (alien species). Such examples include the Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica, the Bajtar tax-Xewk, which is not a Maltese plant but an American plant!), the Kaffir Fig (Carpobrotus edulis, locally known as Swaba' tal-Madonna or Xuxet San Gwann) and the Century Plant (Agave spp.). Quarrying, which in some areas is causing the collapse of nearby cliffsides. Dumping of tar or other material, and other vandalistic acts, on cliffs. Furthermore, the propagation of this species by conventional methods (like seeds or cuttings) is very difficult. Due to these considerations, the Environment Protection Department proposed that the plant be legally protected. In fact, Cremnophyton lanfrancoi was afforded legally protection by Legal Notice 49 of 1993, under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act (Act V of 1991).