The shrubby kidney vetch is known in Maltese as Il-ħatba sewda. Although this shrub is widespread in the central and eastern Mediterranean, it has quite a localised distribution. In Malta it is frequently found growing along our rocky coastline and in garrigue areas.

Since the Maltese population of this kidney vetch has been geographically isolated from the rest of the species, over time, it evolved characteristics which are different from the parent populations. The scientific community (Brullo & Giusso del Galdo, 2006) consider the Maltese population of the kidney vetch to be a separate subspecies and is given the scientific name of Anthyllis hermanniae subsp. melitensis. The word melitensis derives from the word Melita, which is the ancient name for Malta.

This dense, small, perennial shrub may reach a height of around 50cm. It has twisted and woody branches which terminate in a spine. The leaves, which are small and of a dark greyish-green colour, may either be simple or composed of up to three leaflets.

This shrub flowers in the early spring. Its small golden yellow flowers cover the whole plant. They may be solitary or in clusters of three to six flowers. The petals are imbricate, that is, have parts which overlap each other, similar to the tiles on a sloping roof. The shrubby kidney vetch is the dominant species of an important type of garrigue habitat, which calls for the selection of protected areas under EU legislation. Indeed, Mepa has designated a number of sites as Special Areas of Conservation in order to safeguard this type of habitat.

Should one 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.