Our indigenous tree (5) : l-Gharghar : the Sandarac Gum Tree : a tree on the verge of extinction

Abstract

Gharghur and San Gwann ta' 1-Gharghar are familiar places to the local populace. There is a great possibility, however, that those who know or who have heard of these place names in Malta, do not know that such names are derived from an ancient tree, now rare, but which was once common in Malta - the Sandarac Gum Tree (or Alerce) locally known as L-Gnargnar and scientifically as Tetraclinis articulata. This tree once grew extensively, possibly in small forests, at places such as those which still bear its name.