In an effort to save two plant species which are endemic to the Maltese Islands, HSBC Cares For The Environment Fund has embarked on a project, together with the Plant Health Department of the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry, aimed at preserving the Yellow Spider Orchid (Brimba Safra) and Wild Tulip (Tulipan Selvagg). The project involves the in vitro multiplication of the plants.

Dr Elena Yasnetskaya from the Plant Biotechnology Centre in Lija said: “The plants themselves are difficult to propagate in large numbers by conventional methods. In the first place, seeds fail to be produced due to unsuccessful pollination. Furthermore, any fertile seeds produced are difficult to germinate in nature, either due to their low viability or long lifecycle. The only solution is micropropagation.”

The new joint project will see HSBC Cares For The Environment Fund providing the financial resources required in order for this project to be successfully completed.