The valley sides of Wied Qirda include a very interesting matorral community, characterised by carob trees (ħarruba), olive trees (żebbuġ), almond trees (lewż) and the largest native population of the rare bay laurel (rand).
The latter is dominant in parts of the area, with some specimen crossing even over the valley bed. The undergrowth of this matorral community also includes a number of rare, protected species, such as the wild tulip (tulipani), only found in this locality in the Maltese islands.
The site is designated as a Nature Reserve and a Special Area of Conservation of National Importance. Mepa declared this site as a Tree Protected Area on May 24, in accordance with the provisions of the Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations (2011) as per Government Notice number 473/11.