Sandarac Tree
Teraclinis articulata
Family Cupressaceae
Maltese name Sigra ta-l Gharghar
Habitat Maquis
Medium-sized evergreen tree rarely excedds 10m in height; in the wild up to about 6m. Delicate branches covered with small scale-like leaves arranged in four rows. Male cones about 3mm, terminally borne. Female cones up to 15mm, divided into four segments.
Grows in maquis, especially on slopes of coralline limestone. Wild specimems occur in very few localities, including Maqluba and Mellieha.
The National tree. Very rare.
Bottom picture shows a close up of the cones.
Sandarac tree