Close-ups of Maltese nature (24)
Plants around us – Aleppo pine
The Aleppo pine, is-siġra taż-żnuber, is an evergreen tree having needle-like green leaves, which are produced in pairs. It has both male and female cones displayed on the same tree. The male cones are small, yellowish-brown and are found at the base of young shoots. The larger female cones are reddish in colour and may be oval or oblong.
The Aleppo pine, which is native of the Mediterranean region, had regrettably been completely eradicated from the wild in Malta at the beginning of the last century. At the time, however, there were a few pine trees of native stock growing at San Anton Gardens and the Maltese population was saved since the seeds from these trees were used in afforestation schemes. Today, the Aleppo pine is indeed regenerating in certain areas.
This tree is strictly protected through national legislation. One should not cut, prune, fell or uproot such trees without the necessary permits from the competent authorities.
Noting the importance of this habitat type, protected areas are to be designated as per requirements emanating from the EC Habitats Directive. This is of utmost importance in Malta, especially since the conservation status of this habitat type needs to be improved. Mepa is aiding in this respect, with a number of special areas of conservation having been designated to afford the required protection.
More information may be obtained by e-mail: 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 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: Biodiversity.