Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1518324
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 MARCH 2024 5 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 912. Maltese Ferule UNTIL a few years ago this species was known as the giant fennel but it has been recently confirmed as endemic (unique) to Malta, so a change of name was in order: it is now called the Maltese ferule (M. ferla) and at the moment it's one of the most conspicuous flowering plants. At up to 2m in height, it towers way above most other coun- tryside flowers (and humans too!). It is also very visible as it blooms in a candelabra of bright yellow, ball-shaped clusters. In this way the plant advertises to all insects in the vicinity that they are all welcome to the feast. And insects do indeed respond in profusion, as a host of bees, ants, wasps, hover-flies and beetles home in for the goodness in its thousand florets. The Maltese ferule grows mostly in steppes and along country lanes. Successful Comino Opening On Friday 15 March we successfully opened the exhibition Comino will be Different Next Summer at Valletta Contemporary! The exhibition brings together the works of Joanna Demarco, Lisa Attard, Inigo Tay- lor, Mario Asef, Sheldon Saliba which are complemented by an excerpt of text written by Daphne Caruana Galizia. Emerging from vastly dif- ferent artistic disciplines, their work seeks to tell the story of a so-called protected island that has endured decades of disrespect and highlights the calls from civil society to safeguard its natural heritage. Exhibition Dates: 16th March 2024 - 20th April 2024 | Wed-Sat | 14:00 - 19:00 Valletta contemporary, 15, 16, 17, East Street, Valletta Victor Falzon www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 786: For more information please visit https://foemalta.org/ 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 us by sending us a donation – www.foemalta.org/donate Don't miss this waX On April 28 Place: Groove Gardens at Gianpula Village Ready for the next round? 12-hour rave incoming for the waX winter season closer coming at you on Sunday 28th April with a very special guest. April will see the Georgian powerhouse and Bassiani Resident Newa serve up 4-hours of low-end bass and intense melodies. She will be joined by local techno mainstay Manthrax and residents Muski, Patient and Gordon Flash. This combination of selectors is going to keep you on your toes from the first minute, and we absolutely cannot wait. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Oliver! The Musical From April 5 to 14 Place: Mediterranean Conference Centre Oliver! is a Masquerade Malta Production by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh. Lionel Bart's Oliver! is freely adapted from 'Oliver Twist' by Charles Dickens. Oliver! is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.MTIShows.co.uk A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK The floating piece of wood that kept Titanic's Rose alive has been sold for $718,750 at auction. Ever since the release of the 1997 film, fans have wondered whether the panel was big enough to fit her love interest Jack as well, saving him from an icy death. Misogyny, sexual discrimination and harassment are still everyday problems for female musicians in the UK, a damning new report has found. It says that one third of women in the music industry have been sexually harassed at work, with many reporting it as a barrier to their career. The listing noted the prop "has caused much debate from fans". Women are also eight times more likely to face discrimination than men.