The Top 50 Mediterranean Island

À crassifolius

Latin name: Cheirolophus crassifolius (Bertoloni) Susanna Synonym: Palaeocyanus crassifolius (Bertoloni) Dostál Common names: Widnet il-Ba’ar (Maltese); Fiordaliso Crassifoglio (Italian); Maltese rock- centaury, Maltese centaury (English) Family: Compositae (daisy family) Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)

Where is it found? Endemic to , Cheirolophus crassifolius has a patchy

distribution along the north-western and southern cliffs of the ALFRED E. BALDACCHINO islands of Malta, southern Gozo and Fungus Rock. It is confined to coralline limestone seaside cliffs and scree in full sun. attacking the developing fruits. Second, the habitat is under threat from quarrying, as fragile boulder cliffs collapse from the How to recognise it pressure wave of nearby dynamite explosions. Dust pollution This species is a perennial shrub growing up to 50 cm in from quarrying seems to be a minor problem. Third, a number height, occasionally taller and branching towards the top. of sites have been affected by human disturbance, especially Leaves are spatula-shaped and usually smooth and fleshy. those most easily accessible. Finally the species, even at Flowering occurs from May to July. Each stalk bears a single inaccessible sites, is threatened by introduced alien flower head, made up of numerous purple tubular florets. The species, particularly Opuntia ficus-indica, Agave americana and bracts, modified leaves surrounding the flower head, are Carpobrotus edulis. These species were originally planted on smooth and without spines or bristles. The plant produces the plateau but are now invading the cliffs. numerous seeds, each equipped with a parachute-like structure to facilitate wind dispersal. Cheirolophus crassifolius is What is being done to protect it? distinguished from species of the similar-looking genus Legally: Internationally, this species is listed in Annexes II and Centaurea because the latter have spiny bracts and non-fleshy IV of the EC Habitats Directive as a priority species, since leaves. Malta’s EU accession in May 2004. Nationally, it is protected by the Flora and Fauna Protection Regulations of 1993 and the Interesting facts Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations of The Maltese rock-centaury is the National Plant of Malta. This 2003. species displays some ancient traits in its habitat preference All cliffs on Malta and some cliffs on Gozo are protected locally, and flower morphology, and is considered to be a paleoendemic, either as Sites of Scientific Importance, Areas of Ecological meaning that it speciated in the distant past and may have Importance, or Special Areas of Conservation. Fungus Rock (il- been much more widely distributed than today. Previously this Gebla tal-General) is a Strict Nature Reserve. Access is species had been placed in a genus of its own (Palaeocyanus), forbidden except for valid scientific reasons. but was then grouped with species of the genus Cheirolophus. In situ: Management plans are being drafted for a number of To fully understand the of this species, it is impor- sites, including the Qawra-Dwejra Special Area of Conservation tant to study its relationship with (western Gozo). species of the similar-looking Ex situ: Cheirolophus crassifolius has been extensively genera Centaurea and Serratula. cultivated, especially since its designation as the Maltese National Plant in 1971. It is now frequently encountered in Why is it threatened? parks and along the centre-strips of main roads. Note that even This species has been categorized if the plant is under cultivation, this does not change its CR (Critically Endangered) according conservation status as the Red List criteria only apply to wild to IUCN Red List Criteria natural populations. B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v). This means that the area in which it is found is very What conservation actions are needed? restricted (covering less than The most effective conservation measures needed are protec- 100 km2), that the global popula- tion and management of the habitat, which means to better tion is severely fragmented, and control quarrying, prevent illegal dumping (fly-tipping), avoid the that the area where it grows, quality introduction of new invasive alien species, and manage the of its habitat, and number of invasives that exist. More cliffs on Gozo need to be protected UNIVERSITÀ DI CATANIA individuals is predicted to decline by law because of their extreme ecological importance. Law unless increased conservation Gozo and Malta enforcement regarding the protection of this species and its measures are taken. The total wild habitat needs to be strengthened. Finally, more research is population is estimated at a needed to identify the reasons for this species’ apparent thousand individuals, but has not population decline and habitat fragmentation. been counted. The species is threatened by a Scientific coordination number of factors. First, it is rare to Mr Darrin Stevens, Malta Environment and Planning Authority find juvenile plants of this long-lived (MEPA), Sliema, Malta. N species, possibly due to the larvae Dr Edwin Lanfranco, Department of Biology, University of Malta, 15 km of an unidentified moth observed ¢ Msida, Malta.