Maltese Habitats

Rupestral Communities

These grow on sheer rock faces (sisien) and in cliff/scree environments (rdum). The south, southwest and west coasts of the island of Malta consist of vertical cliffs rising from the sea to heights of c.70-130m. In the Dingli cliffs area, these cliffs give way to a steeply sloping substratum. This sloping ground is terraced and partly under cultivation. further inland there is a second tier of vertical cliffs.

The south and southwest coasts of Gozo consist of sea cliffs similar to those of of southern Malta.Because of the shelter they provide and their relative inaccessibility, both the sea cliffs, and the second tier of inland cliffs with the boulder screes which form beneath them. provide important refuges for many species of Maltese flora and fauna, including may endemics. Cliffside communities are dominated by shrubs and are especially significant due to the presence of a large number of endemic plant taxa such as the Maltese Rock-centuary (Palaeocyanus crassifolius) and the Maltese Salt-tree (Darnellia melitensis)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fungus rock, Gozo Fungus Rock, Gozo

 

A very rare plant known as the Malta Fungus (Cynomorium coccineum) is found only on Fungus Rock on Gozo and on the Dingli Cliffs.It was once believed to have medicinal and magical powers. the Knights of St John enjoyed a monopoly on it's harvesting and distribution; those caught gathering the plant unlawfully were sent to the galleys.