Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1311619
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 NOVEMBER 2020 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 737. Borage ALMOST Boeing 737 there! But borage is no big noisy flying air-pol- luting machine. On the contrary, it's a beautiful plant that in (not too) olden days was much sought for its medicinal value. Borage (M. fid- loqqom) is coming out in leaf now, along with myriad other species that have tasted the autumn rain. In a week or two the countryside will transform into a green carpet, as millions of young plants sprout and jostle for space and sunlight. Borage's large bristly leaves may not be very conspicuous at the moment, but when in a few weeks' time it opens its blue flowers – a scarce colour among Maltese flora – it will then catch the eye not only of nature lovers but also of nectar-seeking insects. Victor Falzon www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 630 Go for a walk in nature and collect edible wild plants Edible Wild Plants MALTA has a range of wild edible flora that are excellent for use in the kitchen. Wild edible plants are healthy because they are full of vitamins, minerals, fibre, antioxidants, and phytochemicals which protect one's body from ageing and pollutants. Some precautions need to be taken while collecting and consuming wild plants. Always be sure of the identity of the wild plant you are about to pick. If you have the slightest doubt on the identity of the plant you're about to pick, do not pick it. Then you need to handle and consume wild plants with caution if you try them for the first time, to make sure you are not allergic or ex- perience undesirable side-effects. You can eat the plants raw for the first time, and in small doses.Even if you do not pick the plants near fields sprayed with pesticides or on the side of roads, wash them thoroughly to prevent from ingesting dirt and excrement from other creatures. VISIT Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as information about how to join us. You can also support – www.foemalta.org/donate https://foemalta.org/foraging-guide Appster Smartphone fun and smarter work Nova Launcher 4.99 Euro Android Nova Launcher is a powerful, customizable, and versatile home screen replacement. Nova brings advanced features to enhance your home screens, but still remains a great, user-friendly choice for everyone. TECH RETAILERS contact afarrugia@ mediatoday.com.mt A GOOD WEEK FOR Good Week/Bad Week Don't miss this A BAD WEEK FOR Trouser Girl, part of the ZiguZajg Festival 2020 Until 29 November Online event Find out more about Trouser Girl at https://www.ziguzajg.org/ project/trouser-girl/ Lukey's music homework is stolen by a pair of mysterious creatures from another world. His girlfriend Chris, aka superhero Raybeam, sets off on a pan-dimensional quest to get it back. As usual, she takes her best friend Danny, aka Transformo, as her trusty sidekick. Not wanting to be left out, Lukey disguises himself as Trouser Girl and follows them on their crazy- cool adventure. For the world, multiple vaccine companies have revealed breakthroughs during their trials. The latest this week, with the Oxford vaccine showing a strong immune response in older people. For people in the US. COVID-19 has now claimed the lives of over 258,000 people; a quarter of a million, amounting to 3%. The US has registered over 12 million COVID-19 cases since March. More than 99% of trial participants appeared to be protected Over 7 million people have recovered from the virus in the US already. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member