The Education, Science and Culture Centre (ESCC), based at the Lunzjata Valley in Gozo is continuing with its work on preserving the variety of long existing trees within the valley.
It said that the Anredera Cordifolia (Madeira Vine) from the Basellaceae family is a species different from the Schinus terebinthifolius [1] (False Pepper) which had previously been identified in the valley, since not only does it spread easily, but it also strangles the native trees which have been surviving in the valley for a long period of time as well.
The ESCC added that this kind of alien tree suppresses trees by climbing onto them. Its presence is prevalent on the right upper side of Lunzjata valley. This succulent climbing plant has been proved to be invasive in several countries where it has been introduced as an ornamental climber.
The damage proceeds when its stems with heavy leaves and thick aerial tubers cover trees which then strangle branches not allowing them to survive and consequently the tree dies.
“This plant is a non-native and most probably has been introduced in this area of the valley by some individuals who had disposed of some of its branches together with some other waste. The species of trees that are under threat are the carob, almond, hawthorn and laurel trees among others,” the ESCC said.
The ESCC is coordinating a collective effort between the Ministry for Gozo and the Environment and Resources Authority. to obtain the necessary permits to have these alien species removed at the earliest possible.