Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1272935
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 JULY 2020 CULTURE NATURE It doesn't grow in the sea, it's not related to holly, and it's not a Christmas decoration for mermaids either. The sea holly is a low spindly plant of coastal sand dunes. It's easy to recognise on account of its often bluish-tinged leaves, and its summer-opening flowers look like small explosions of lilac, green and white – all in all a pretty thing, though 'pretty' would hardly be your exclamation if you sit on it in your swimwear. Because you see, the sea holly (M. xewk ir-ramel) is a thistle and quite a prickly one. But it's a rare thistle, indeed it's a protected thistle. It's rare because its sand dune habitat is rare (just two or three spots). So if you find it growing on a sandy beach don't go pulling it up to clear a swathe for your towel. Thankfully, the few places where the species still occurs are more or less fenced off, so if you observe the beach rules at places like Ramla, your tender skin should never connect with the business end of this beach beauty. Text: Victor Falzon Photo: Raymond Vella 721. SEA HOLLY Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 614 Find out more: www.foemalta.org/beesaver Act Now: Save Bees and Farmers! Bees all over the world, including Malta – where more than 100 bee species can be found in the wild – are in trouble. Right now, they need us almost as much as we need them. The decline in bees' diversity and abundance would have a serious impact on how our natural world functions. This includes our food crops. Bees pollinate much of the food that makes our diets healthy and tasty – from the apple in our lunchbox, to the tomatoes on our pizza. To protect bees and people's health, we need your support in calling the EU Commission to propose legal acts to restore biodiversity and help bees and pollinators. The Gaulitanus Choir soloists in concert GOZO'S Gaulitanus Choir will be giving its share to the gradual resumption of live performing, by organising an open-air con- cert featuring its soloists. Fittingly entitled 'Meeting Again Through Song', the concert will feature its four soprano soloists: Anna Bonel- lo, Annabelle Zammit, Patri- cia Buttigieg and Stephanie Portelli. This feast of song will juxtapose light classical and semi-classical numbers – some by very renowned clas- sical composers as Puccini, Mascagni and Poulenc – with several of the best-loved mu- sical theatre numbers. The choir's founder-director will artistically direct the evening and will also be accompanying the singers. Indeed, the Gau- litanus Choir is positive that through this concert and this particular repertoire – which should please one and all – it will also be transmitting some much-needed positivity. The concert, organised with the support of the Cultural Heritage Directorate (Minis- try for Gozo), is being held on Thursday, August 6 at 20:00 at the Ministry for Gozo's Court- yard, Victoria - where the au- dience's seating arrangements can also very safely respect the social distancing guide- lines. Entrance is free on a first-come-first-served basis. Whereas no pre-reservations will be taken, the audience is encouraged to arrive in good time.