Pembroke’s inland garigue holds a good variety of patches dominated by certain shrubby species; thus the entire garigue ecosystem onsite is not uniform. Visible examples are the Mediterranean Heath (Erica multiflora), Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus), Olives (Olea europea), Olive-leaved Germander (Teucrium fruticans), and Mediterranean Thyme (Thymbra capitata), while dominant bulbous species such as the Branched Asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus), Autumn Squill (Scilla autumnalis) and the Seaside Squill (Urginea pancration) also follow this pattern. One very
Tursin il-G˙ul Xewwieki | Thorny Burnet | Sarcopoterium spinosum
the tiny Maltese Dwarf Garlic (Allium lojaconoi) is known to occur in the area. The very rare Yellow Mignonette (Reseda lutea) is also known to reside in ruderal areas of Pembroke (E. Lanfranco personal comm.) Other species are unusually found solitarily as rare individuals on their own within the site, such as the Evergreen Honeysuckle (Lonicera implexa), Wolfbane (Periploca angustifolia), Squinancywort (Asperula cyanchica), Sicilian and Great Snapdragons (Antirrhinum siculum and A. tortuosum), Figs (Ficus carica), Wavyleaved Mullein (Verbascum sinuatum), French Daffodils (Narcissus tazzetta), the Maltese Fleabane (Chiliadenus bocconei), and Caper (Capparis orientalis).
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Orkida Piramidali ta’ Malta | Maltese Pyramidal Orchid | Anacamptis urvilleana
spiny shrub in particular, which covers a very small patch and is exclusively found here in the Maltese Islands, is the Thorny Burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum). Only a recently described and declared endemic, the Maltese Shrubby Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis hermanniae subp. melitensis,) does not follow this pattern, because it is widespread amongst other shrubs. Moreover, the White-hedge Nettle (Prasium majus), Yellow Germander (Teucrium flavum), the wild Olive (Olea europea subp. sylvestris), Eastern Phagnalon (Phagnalon graceum ssp. ginzbergeri) and the Spiny Chicory (Cichorium spinosum) are other shrubs that seem very scattered within the garigue. The Spiny Asparagus (Asparagus aphyllus), Carline Thistle (Carlina involucrata), Friar’s Cowl (Arisarum vulgare), Bladder Champion (Silene vulgaris), Pine Spurge (Euphorbia pinea), and the Serrated Plantain (Plantago serreria) are the rough herbaceous plants that occur in patches where shrubs are absent. Additionally, a healthy population of
Pembroke Garigue Heritage Project is also an oasis for orchids, especially during late winter and spring. The rare Autumn Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) flowers first when the rainy seasons arrive. Just behind the tower, there is a small area where over 200 individuals of the Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina) have been observed, along with a good number of the Conical Orchid (Orchis conica) growing together, which is unusual since throughout the rest of the site they are generally solitary or in pairs. The Common Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) grows very densely in the area, especially between the reverse osmosis plant and the tower. Those growing near the reverse osmosis plant have unusually large inflorescences. Just before the pyramidalis begins flowering, one may also encounter a few clumps of the endemic Maltese Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis urvilleana), which flower much earlier. Ophrys species can also be seen scattered all over the park. These include the rare and endemic Maltese Spider Orchid (Ophrys sphegodes subsp. melitensis) and the generally more