Designated as Malta's national plant in 1971, the Maltese rock-centaury is endemic to the Maltese islands (i.e. not naturally found anywhere else in the world). It grows as a perennial shrub, and its spatula-shaped leaves are usually smooth and fleshy. Flowering occurs from May to July, with each stalk bearing a single flower head consisting of many purple tubular florets.

The Maltese rock-centaury can mostly be found along coralline limestone cliffs towards the south-west of mainland Malta and Gozo. With a patchy distribution and a low natural recruitment, its range might be declining.

It is rare to find juvenile plants of this long-lived species, possibly due to the larvae of a moth which attack developing fruits.

It is also affected by non-native plants, cliff collapse and erosion, and human influence on accessible parts.

This plant is considered to be critically endangered. Indeed, it is protected through both national and international legislation. Special areas of conservation have been designated to further protect this species and its habitat. The management of such sites, law enforcement and research are crucial. Extensive cultivation has taken place, with this plant being frequently encountered in parks and along centre-strips.

The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. Malta together with many other countries around the globe is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity