Close-ups of Maltese nature (8)

The sand broomrape is known in Maltese as budebbus tar-ramel. One of this plant's varieties is the Orobanche densiflora f. melitensis which is endemic to Malta and is only found on the mainland. This plant was first observed in Malta in 1895. Today it is found in coastal areas and has a rare and restricted distribution.

It is a small plant reaching 20-40cm in height. It is distinguished by its yellow-to-straw coloured stems which completely lack chlorophyll - that green pigment which allows the plant to obtain energy from the sun. Since the sand broomrape does not have any chlorophyll it needs to extract nourishment from the roots of neighbouring plants, which it does with the help of small suckers. Its brown scale leaves are lance-shaped and are around 20-30mm long.

The yellowish-light brown flowers on this plant are similar to the flowers of the snap-dragon and are found in a dense terminal spike. When it is not flowering, no part of the plant is visible above the soil. The seeds of the sand broomrape are small and may remain viable for many years. These germinate only when the right conditions are met, usually in response to chemicals exuded from the roots of other plants.

We should truly appreciate the importance of this species, noting that it is also protected under EU legislation. Indeed, protected areas have been selected through which the sand broomrape can be afforded protection.

Should you require more information, please contact nature.requests@mepa.org.mt.

The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. Malta, together with many other countries around the globe, is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: Biodiversity.