Work is continuing on the preservation of a variety of long existing trees within the the beautiful Lunzjata Valley Gozo, by the Education, Science and Culture Centre (ESCC).

It said that the Hedera helix (English Ivy – Liedna) from the family Araliaceae is another non-native plant, which is found climbing up trees on the right-hand side of Lunzjata valley, together with the other alien/invasive species that where mentioned previously.

The ESCC pointed out that on the left side going down the valley, the land is cultivated by the local farmers who grow seasonal crops all year round. When the crop producer grows produce in his fields it means that no other form of plants are found, except those which the farmer wants to grow.

The Hedera helix is commonly planted in urban areas where greenery is lacking to cover grounds, walls and buildings in order to produce immediate vegetational patches, the ESCC said.

Because it is such a fast grower and very resistant it can also be found in sites were other native trees grow, making them vulnerable to exclusion from their natural wildlife habitat. The ESCC said that the damage caused to the trees is easily noticed in the area where it is found.

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.

Permalink: English Ivy – another non-native plant causing damage to trees at Lunzjata