Bajtar tax-Xewk - ritratt ta' Stephen Gatt

Arbuxxell kbir. Il-pal catt u mlahham tal-bajtar huma z-zkuk. Weraq imcekken hafna f'xewk u lanzit (ritratt). Fjuri kbar b'hafna petali. Meta l-insetti jmissu l-istami, dawn jiccaqalqu bil-mod lejn in-nofs tal-fjura biex id-dakra ssehh ahjar. Iwarrad l-izjed mill-ahhar tar-rebbiegha sal-bidu tas-sajf. Jithawwel l-izjed mal-gnub ta' l-ghelieqi. Dahal ukoll fil-makkja u fl-irdumijiet.

F'Ghawdex jintuza bhala ghalf ghall-bhejjem. Probabbilment indigenu tal-Karibew. Iddahhal ghall-frott, izda harab u sar parti mill-pajsagg Mediterranju. Jezistu hafna varjetajiet, u l-frott minn gewwa jkun orangjo, isfar car (Franciz), jew ahmar (tad-demm) skond il-varjeta'. Komuni.

Opuntia ficus-indica (Prickly pear)

Prickly Pear - photo by Stephen Gatt

A large shrub with flattened fleshy pads that form the stems. The leaves are reduced to spines (photo) and the flowers are large with lots of petals. When insects touch the stamens, these move slowly towards the centre of the flower so that pollination takes place more efficiently.

The prickly pear plant usually flowers from the end of spring till the end of summer. It is usually grown at the sides of fields. However it has also spread in the maquis and cliff ecosystems.

In Gozo it is used as a feed for farm animals (fodder crop). Most probably it is of Caribbean origin. It was introduced for its edible fruit, but later escaped cultivation and now forms part of the Mediterranean landscape. Several cultivars exist, bearing fruit whose flesh may be orange, pale yellow or red depending upon the cultivar (photo). Common.

Opuntia ficus-indica (Bajtar tax-Xewk)

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