Xewk ta' Malta
An annual or biennial thistle with yellow flowers, found on arid rocky ground and in flower in April and May. It is native to the Maltese Islands and is listed as threatened in the Red Data Book.
The Maltese star thistle grows on arid rocky ground. It is an annual or biennial plant with erect stems up to about 80 cm tall, and its yellow flowers open in April and May.
The Online Flora of the Maltese Islands describes it as indigenous, present on the islands before people arrived. It is listed as threatened in the Red Data Book of the Maltese Islands, and the reference site notes that it was not legally protected as of its August 2025 update.
How to help
Do not pick the plant unnecessarily, and keep to paths on rocky ground.
Text: Online Flora of the Maltese Islands (Stephen Mifsud). Edited by the Editorial Team.
Photo: Javier martin, Public domain.
