Our indigenous tree (1) : a tree that can make Malta green - "iz-Znuber"

Abstract

The toponomy of the Maltese Islands gives a clear indication that our Islands were once endowed with indigenous wild trees forming woods and groves and giving a different appearance to the country as compared to the barren rocky image so conspicuous nowadays. Wied Znuber, Ghajn Znuber, Wied il-Luq, Ballut il-Wardija, Gharghur, San Gwann ta' l- Gharghar, are just relics of majestic trees carved in the places' names. Further indications of the existence of such woods are the soils rich in humus found at Rabat, Imtarfa, Tarxien and other places.