Maltawildplants.com is now considered an online flora of the Maltese islands, portraying more than 900 species of plants found in Maltese habitats. It harbours a forum created in 2005 were memberes discuss topics about the Maltese flora and ID of plants.
Can anyone confirm whether the first picture is the determined species (Silybum marianum)? A lot of these plants look very much alike and they tend to be somewhat confusing!
I would also like to know the name of the plant in the second picture. It seems to be quite common in hedges and public gardens.
Excuse the not-so-hot photography!
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The first picture looks like Atriplex halimus if I can identify from that picture.
The second picture boq, ? Qaqocc salvagg - forgot the scientific name.
Qaqocc is Cynara. But many of the prickly asters have similar leaves and ID is quite difficult at times, especially when the flower has not appeared yet. The choice between Cynara, Silybum and Centaurea is what actually prompted my question!
When one has to remove spines of Qaqocc which adorn the "inflorescence" measuring up to 13mm long which happen to be penetratating one's shin straight to the bone , one tends to become very familiar with this plant... and gives it a wide berth at all seasons, especially in Summer when it is dry...
Species name is Cynara cardunculus L. but if the leaves are poorly spined, it could be the hybrid between the wild Cynara cardunculus and the cultivated Cynara scolymus (Qaqocc ta' l-ikel). Such hybrids are often seen in clay-soil in Gozo. The hybrids also have much less spiny involucre.
, one tends to become very familiar with this plant... and gives it a wide berth at all seasons, especially in Summer when it is dry...