The Germander group Teucrium has around 300 species* worldwide and the name is thought to derive from the ancient king of Troy, Teucer, who is said to have been a forerunner in using a germander plant for medicinal purposes. The specific name of fruticans in Latin refers to the Olive-leaved Germander’s shrubby growth. The Maltese name Żebbuġija links it to the Olive Tree ‘Żebbuġa’ – not because they are related but presumably because the small narrow leaves are distinctly white below and dark green above – similar to the olive tree’s leaves. 

Although the long drought we have just been through may be changing the seasonality of many plants, the Olive-leaved Germander usually starts flowering around this time of year and continues till May/June. This indigenous evergreen shrub grows in dry areas and flowers in pairs with the colour varying from light bluish to white. 

It is often used in landscaping and hedges as it lends itself to being pruned into various shapes – which is usually done by the wind in the wild. It is a great pollinator plant and a magnet for many insects. 

*In Malta we have another species which is the Yellow Germander (Teucrium flavum) Borgħom komuni. A third species, the Water germander, is extremely rare and was considered extinct locally.

Main photo by Annalise Falzon