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Flowering plants this month

January

Mediterranean Heath (Erica multiflora, Erika)

The narrow pinkish bell-shaped flowers appear clumped at the end of the branches of the evergreen Mediterranean Heath. This plant is commonly found in the garrigue areas of Dingli Cliffs.

Borage (Borago officinalis, Fidloqqom)

The tiny star-shaped Borage flowers have numerous edible and medicinal properties. Flowers can be tossed in salads and the leaves can be made into soup. Medicinal properties of the Borage in traditional Maltese medicine include cough treatment, anti-inflammatory and nerve calmer.

Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae, Ħaxixa Ngliża)

The Bermuda Buttercup, also known as the Cape Sorrel, is a very common perennial. The plant sets up leaves in October/November, however the flowers appear from December to April. The flower is native to Cape, South Africa. It spread in Malta from its underground bulb, since the early 19th century, when the plant was introduced as an ornamental plant in the Maltese Islands. After escaping the Maltese Islands, this plant also spread throughout the Mediterranean coast.

Sweet Alison (Lobularia maritima, Buttuniera)

This common perennial flower grows in garrigue areas and also along waysides,producing very small whitish flowers (5mm in diameter). Its name derives from the sweet scent of the flowers.

 Friar’s Cowl (Arisarum vulgare, Garni tal-Pipi)

The unusual perennial flower is brown , hood-shaped with a curved tongue. The plant grows from underground rhizomes and is native to the Mediterranean region.