Families in this page(6)

DIOSCOREACEAE
Yam
Click to go to the DIOSCOREACEAE family.
HYACINTHACEAE
Hyacinth
Click to go to the HYACINTHACEAE family.
IRIDACEAE
Iris
Click to go to the IRIDACEAE family.
LILIACEAE
Lily
Click to go to the LILIACEAE family.
PONTEDERIACEAE
Water-Hyacinth
Click to go to the PONTEDERIACEAE family.
SMILACEAE
Catbrier
Click to go to the SMILACEAE family.
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DIOSCOREACEAE

Yam Family

 Description text for this family is under progress and unavailable at the moment ...
Scientific Name Generic Name Maltese Name Flowering Period Thumbnail Picture Status
Tamus communis
L.

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a RARE species. Please do not pick up! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Dioscorea communis
Black Bryony Brijonja Sewda Apr-May Tamus communisBlack Bryony Short Profile




HYACINTHACEAE

Hyacinth Family

 Description text for this family is under progress and unavailable at the moment ...
Scientific Name Generic Name Maltese Name Flowering Period Thumbnail Picture Status
Bellevalia romana
(L.) Sweet

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a RARE species. Please do not pick up! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Hyacinthus romana
Roman Hyacinth Ġjacint Selvaġġ Mar-May Bellevalia romanaRoman Hyacinth Short Profile
Muscari commutatum
Gussone

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a VERY RARE species. Never pick up or harm the plant! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Dark Grape Hyacinth Muskari Skuri Feb-Mar Muscari commutatumDark Grape Hyacinth Detailed Profile
Muscari comosum
(L.) Miller

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Leopoldia comosa
Tassel Grape Hyacinth Basal Il-ħnieżer Mar-May Muscari comosumTassel Grape Hyacinth Short Profile
Muscari neglectum
Gussone

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a RARE species. Please do not pick up! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Muscari compactum
Southern Grape Hyacinth,
Starch Grape Hyacinth 		No Name Mar-Apr Muscari neglectumSouthern Grape Hyacinth Short Profile
Muscari parviflorum
Desfontaines

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Autumn Grape Hyacinth,
Lesser Grape Hyacinth 		Ġjaċint Tal-Ħarifa Sep-Oct Muscari parviflorumAutumn Grape Hyacinth Detailed Profile
Ornithogalum arabicum
L.

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Large Star Of Bethlehem Ħalib It-Tajr Kbir Apr-May Ornithogalum arabicumLarge Star of Bethlehem Normal Profile
Ornithogalum divergens
Boreau

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a VERY RARE species. Never pick up or harm the plant! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Lesser Star Of Bethlehem Ħalib It-Tajr Skars Mar-Apr Ornithogalum divergensLesser Star of Bethlehem Normal Profile
Ornithogalum narbonense
L.

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Southern Star Of Bethlehem Ħalib It-Tajr Żgħir Apr-May Ornithogalum narbonenseSouthern Star of Bethlehem Normal Profile
Prospero autumnale
(L.) Speta.

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Scilla autumnalis
Autumn Squill Għansar Tal-Ħarifa Sep-Oct Prospero autumnaleAutumn Squill Detailed Profile
Scilla sicula
Tineo

SUB-ENDEMIC (found only on the Maltese islands and neighbouring islands or territories) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Scilla clusii
Sicilian Squill Għansal Ikħal Mar-Apr Scilla siculaSicilian Squill Short Profile
Urginea maritima
(L.) Baker

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Uriginea pancration
Sea Squill,
Sea Onion,
White Squill 		Basal Tal-Għansar Aug-Sep Urginea maritimaSea Squill Detailed Profile




IRIDACEAE

Iris Family

 The Iridaceae are perennial herbs from rhizomes, bulbs or corms comprising about 80 genera and 1,500 species. The leaves are distichous - thus arranged in two rows on opposite sides of a stem and so in the same plane. They have a covering sheath, equitant bases and a generally ensiform (sword-blade) or linear shape with parallel venation. The flowers are bisexual, usually showy, and are actinomorphic (symmetrical about more than one vertical plane) or zygomorphic (symmetrical about one plane only, usually the plane that bisects the flower vertically). The perianth consists of 6 petaloid tepals in two differentiated or undifferentiated whorls. Commonly all 6 tepals are united into a perianth tube or epigynous zone, which means that the petals and sepals are attached above the level of insertion of the ovary, and arising from tissue that is fused to the ovary wall. The androecium consists of 3 distinct or fused stamens positioned opposite and often joined to the outer tepals. The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 3 carpels, a single, commonly 3-branched style, and an ovary which is fully or at least partly below the level of attachment of the other floral parts. The ovary has 3 locules, each containing few to numerous axile ovules. The ovary is often located below ground and such a case the style goes through the flower long sheathed neck down the inferior ovary. The fruit is a loculicidal capsule.
Scientific Name Generic Name Maltese Name Flowering Period Thumbnail Picture Status
Chasmanthe bicolor
(L.) N.E. Brown

ALIEN (Introduced in our islands from foreign countries) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Chasmanthe No Name Dec-Apr Chasmanthe bicolorChasmanthe Short Profile
Crocus longiflorus
Rafinesque

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a RARE species. Please do not pick up! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Crocus Longiflorus Żagħfran Selvaġġ Nov-Dec Crocus longiflorusCrocus Longiflorus Detailed Profile
Freesia refracta
(Jacquin) Klatt

ALIEN (Introduced in our islands from foreign countries) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Freesia corymbosa
Common Freesia Friżja Mar-May Freesia refractaCommon Freesia Short Profile
Gladiolus byzantinus
Miller

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a RARE species. Please do not pick up! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus
Mediterranean Gladiolus Ħabb Il-qamħ Kbir Mar-May Gladiolus byzantinusMediterranean Gladiolus Short Profile
Gladiolus dubius
Gussone

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a RARE species. Please do not pick up! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Small Gladiolus,
Southern Gladiolus 		Ħabb Il-qamħ Tal-wied Mar-May Gladiolus dubiusSmall Gladiolus Short Profile
Gladiolus italicus
Miller

ARCHEOPHYTE (non-native, but which was introduced in ancient times, rather than being a modern introduction.(Eg. introduced prior to 1500 A.D.) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Field Gladiolus,
Italian Gladiolus,
Cornfield Gladiolus 		Ħabb Tal-Qamħ Tar-Raba Mar-Apr Gladiolus italicusField Gladiolus Detailed Profile
Iris florentina
L.

ALIEN (Introduced in our islands from foreign countries) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Iris germanica ssp. Florentina
Florentine Iris,
Orris Root 		No Name Mar-May Iris florentinaFlorentine Iris Short Profile
Iris foetidissima
L.

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a VERY RARE species. Never pick up or harm the plant! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Stinking Iris,
Gladwyn Iris,
Beefsteak Iris 		Fjurduliż Tal-Buskett Mar-May Iris foetidissimaStinking Iris Short Profile
Iris germanica
L.

ALIEN (Introduced in our islands from foreign countries) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Iris x germanica
Garden Iris,
German Iris,
Blue Flag Iris 		Fjurduliż Ikħal Mar-May Iris germanicaGarden Iris Short Profile
Iris pseudopumila
Tineo

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a RARE species. Please do not pick up! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Southern Dwarf Iris Bellus Jan-Mar Iris pseudopumilaSouthern Dwarf Iris Detailed Profile
Iris sicula
Todaro

SUB-ENDEMIC (found only on the Maltese islands and neighbouring islands or territories) This is a VERY RARE species. Never pick up or harm the plant! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Iris pallida
Sicilian Iris Fjurdulis Sqalli Apr-Jun Iris siculaSicilian Iris Normal Profile
Iris tectorum
Maximowicz

CASUAL ALIEN (Introduced in our islands but not invasive, hence found casually) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Iris fimbriata
Chinese Iris,
Wall Iris,
Japanese Iris 		No Name Mar-May Iris tectorumChinese Iris Short Profile
Iris xiphium
L.

ALIEN (Introduced in our islands from foreign countries) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Spanish Iris Fjurduliż Mar-May Iris xiphiumSpanish Iris Short Profile
Lapeirousia laxa
(Thunberg) N.E. Brown

ALIEN (Introduced in our islands from foreign countries) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Anometheca cruenta
African Lapeyrousia No Name Apr-May Lapeirousia laxaAfrican Lapeyrousia Short Profile
Moraea sisyrinchium
(L.) Parlatore

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Gynandriris sisyrinchium
Barbary Nut Iris Fjurdulis Salvaġġ Apr-May Moraea sisyrinchiumBarbary Nut Iris Normal Profile
Romulea columnae
Sebastiani & Mauri

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Sand Crocus (columnar),
Dark Veined Romulea 		Żagħfran Tar-Ramel Feb-Mar Romulea columnaeSand Crocus (columnar) Normal Profile
Romulea melitensis
Bèguinot

ENDEMIC (found only on the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Romulea columnae ssp. melitensis
Maltese Romulea Zagħfran Tal-blat Ta' Malta Feb-Mar Romulea melitensisMaltese Romulea Short Profile
Romulea ramiflora
Tenore

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Sand Crocus (branched) Żagħfran Tal-Blat Feb-Mar Romulea ramifloraSand Crocus (branched) Normal Profile
Romulea rollii
Parlatore

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Romulea columnae subsp. rollii
Sand Crocus (Rollii's),
Rolli's Sand Crocus 		Żagħfran Tar-Ramel (ta' Rolli) Feb-Mar Romulea rolliiSand Crocus (Rollii's) Normal Profile




LILIACEAE

Lily Family

 The Liliaceae are mostly perennial herbs growing from starchy rhizomes, corms, or bulbs comprising about 280 genera and 4,000 species. The leaves are alternate or less often opposite or whorled. The flowers are often showy and are nearly always bisexual and actinomorphic. The perianth typically consists of two whorls of undifferentiated or weakly differentiated petaloid tepals with 3 distinct members in each whorl, or less frequently all of the segments are connate (united at their bases) into a common perianth tube or perigynous or epigynous zone that sometimes has an adnate corona. The androecium usually consists of 6 fertile stamens attached to the receptacle or adnate to the perianth tube but rarely 3, 4, or up to 12 may be found. The gynoecium typically consists of a single compound pistil of 3 carpels, a single style commonly with 3 stigmas, and a superior or less often inferior ovary with 3 locules, each containing several to numerous axile ovules. Rarely there are 2 or 4 carpels and locules with axile placentation or only a single locule with intruded parietal placentation. The fruit is nearly always a capsule or berry.
Scientific Name Generic Name Maltese Name Flowering Period Thumbnail Picture Status
Tulipa australis
Link

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) This is a VERY RARE species. Never pick up or harm the plant! This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) Main Synonym: Tulipa sylvestris ssp. australis
Southern Tulip Tulipan Selvaġġ Mar-Apr Tulipa australisSouthern Tulip Short Profile




PONTEDERIACEAE

Water-Hyacinth Family

 Description text for this family is under progress and unavailable at the moment ...
Scientific Name Generic Name Maltese Name Flowering Period Thumbnail Picture Status




SMILACEAE

Catbrier Family

 Description text for this family is under progress and unavailable at the moment ...
Scientific Name Generic Name Maltese Name Flowering Period Thumbnail Picture Status
Smilax aspera
L.

INDIGENOUS (originating from the Maltese islands) Not rare This species is not protected by law Special Notes (n/a) No main synonyms for this species
Mediterranean Smilax,
Common Smilax 		Salsa Pajżana Sep-Nov Smilax asperaMediterranean Smilax Detailed Profile





All material and data on this webpage is under the copyright of the author of this site - Stephen Mifsud / www.MaltaWildPlants.com / Malta. (2002-2008)
This research project about the flora of Malta is sponsored by:
Middlesea Insurance p.l.c. A Fund established to help in the amelioration and enhancement of the environment in Malta and to take initiatives that enhance awareness on environmental issues amongst the public Empty space for sponsor Empty space for sponsor Benefit companies get by sponsoring this project
All material and data on this webpage is under copyright of the author of this site - Stephen Mifsud / www.MaltaWildPlants.com / Malta. (2002 - 2008)