The Alien Cape Sorrel

submitted by The Archbishop's Seminary : Kyle Fenech  for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, school magazine, school media, website
filed under Photos


The dazzlingly yellow flower which is commonly seen in the local countryside is locally known as Qarsu or Haxixa Ingliza, or scientifically as Oscalis pes-caprae is an alien plant species that was accidently brought over to the Maltese Islands nearly two hundred years ago. It is called alien since it is not a native plant of the Maltese islands. The Cape Sorrel as it is commonly known in English has however not only managed to survive but also to take over quite a bit of our countryside since it has found excellent climatic conditions to grow in. Although invasions of alien species can also occur naturally, more often than not it is the rate at which they spread and take over the local habitats which is of concern. The Cape Sorrel is one such case!