The Palaeocyonus crassifolius is an endemic plant to the islands of Malta and Gozo.
Terminology
Endemic is the ecological state of being unique to a particular geographic location, such as a specific island, habitat type, nation, or other defined zone. To be endemic to a place or area means that it is found only in that part of the world and nowhere else. Endemics can easily become endangered or extinct because of their restricted habitat and vulnerability to the actions of man, including the introduction of new organisms.
Indigenous. A species is known to be indigenous or native to a given region or ecosystem if its presence in that region is the result of only natural resources, with no human intervention. Every natural organism (as opposed to domesticated organisms) has its own natural range of distribution, in which it is regarded as native. Outside this native range, a species may be introduced by human activity; it is then referred to as an introduced species within the regions where it was anthropogenically introduced.
History
This plant was first described by Stefano Zerafa, a Maltese botanist, in 1827, as Centaurea spathulata, a name already used for another plant and hence was then re-named Centaurea crassifolia by the Italian botanist Bertoloni in 1829. However, since it differs considerably from other Centaurea species, the Czech Josef Dostál described a new genus in 1975 to represent the species, Palaeocyanus
This plant has been declared Malta's national plant in 1971 and is endemic to the Maltese Islands, being found only in Malta and Gozo in the world. It's habitat is mostly seaside coralline limestone cliffs, where it grows with other Maltese endemic plants. It's English name amongst others is Maltese - Rock Centuary, and it's scientific name is : Palaeocyonus Crassifolius (Bertoloni) Dostal.
Height and shape: An evergreen shrubby plant with fleshy leaves shaped like a spoon-handle usually growing up to 50 cm. The leaves do not usually have a toothed margin (called serrations) but some plants, especially in Gozo, may show such serrations. By the end of May it starts to open its beautiful magenta coloured flower-heads which are borne on long stalks. Flowering continues till July.
Propagation Sow them in the fall supplying chalky soil with very good drainage. Do not fertilize much in the beginning and never overwater. Full sun, air moisture is a bonus
Cuttings in Sept/Oct
Cultural Importance Besides its cultural importance as an endemic, this plant was, as stated previously, declared as the Maltese National Plant in 1971; it was subsequently depicted in a set of postage stamps and on a commemorative coin as well as on paper money. The emblem of the Society for the Study and Conservation of Nature, a local non-governmental organisation.
As from 1971, it has been declared the Maltese National Plant. * Legally protected by virtue of Legal Notice 49 of 1993, published under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act (Act V of 1991). * Some of the cliffs on the island of Malta where this species occurs are protected as Areas of Ecological Importance by virtue of Government Notice 400 of 1996 published under the provisions of the Development Planning Act of 1992. * Listed in the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants as a rare species. * Listed in the Red Data Book for the Maltese Islands as a rare endemic plant with a restricted distribution in the Maltese Islands.
This plant was first described by Stefano Zerafa, a Maltese botanist, in 1827, as Centaurea spathulata, a name already used for another plant and hence was then re-named Centaurea crassifolia by the Italian botanist Bertoloni in 1829. However, since it differs considerably from other Centaurea species, the Czech Josef Dostál described a new genus in 1975 to represent the species, Palaeocyanus
