The Mediterranean pink heath attracts wildlife to feed or nest.

The Mediterranean heath deserves to be called the Christmas bush. It is an evergreen indigenous species. In December it becomes covered in small, pink bell-shaped flowers that grow in such profusion that they give the bush an overall pink appearance. Very rarely, one finds plants with white flowers.

The flowers are rich in nectar, which is collected by honeybees to be converted into honey. This species is important for bees and should be used widely as a decorative plant instead of cultivated species, most of which do not attract bees.

It is found mostly in garigue areas especially in the north and northwest parts of Malta. It is especially common in the vicinity of the Red Tower north of Mellieħa, at Wardija, Dingli Cliffs, Wied Babu and Wied Qirda.

The plant grows in the shape of a low bush with small needle-like leaves clustered densely around woody branches. These features are crucial for the plant to survive during the hot dry Maltese summer as they help to reduce water loss to a minimum.

Some members of the heath family, such as cranberry and blueberry, are of economic importance

In Malta the Mediterranean heath is known by several names, some of which it shared with other wild plants. This was leading to so much confusion that some years ago it was renamed erika which was coined from its scientific name Erica multiflora.

The Mediterranean heath belongs to a large family of about 4,000 species. Some members of the family, such as cranberry and blueberry, are of economic importance while others, such as the rhododendrons, have become popular garden plants.

One family member, the strawberry tree, is a Mediterranean species that was never recorded in the Maltese natural environment, although it might have grown here in antiquity. A small number of strawberry trees have been planted in the Maltese islands and effort should be made to plant it especially in public areas.

portelli.paul@gmail.com