A project started a few years ago to save the endangered species ambrosia maritima, known as sea ragweed or mentna or ambrożja in Maltese.

Ambrosia maritima was found in several coastal localities around Malta, including sand dunes. However, the plant has become almost extinct. Only a small fragile population survives outside the perimeter of Għadira nature reserve.

So, seeds were collected and sowed in trays during the beginning of autumn.

Ambrosia seeds showed a high percentage of sprouting success and in a short time seedlings were available for transplanting into the ground in suitable areas of the nature reserve.

Għadira nature reserve, managed by Bird Life Malta, offers a safe place for the plants to grow. New seedlings are growing naturally on their own under the parent plants, mostly visible in summer, when other vegetation dries out.

Unlike other members of this family, its flowers are inconspicuous and produced in summer. It is generally a biennial plant and has a shrub-like habit.

The plant’s growth period is mostly in summer, during the dry period. It is aromatic and in Greek mythology ambrosia was the food of the Greek gods.