The Maltese rock centaury, more popularly known as ‘Widnet il Bahar’ was declared the national flower of Malta in the early part of the 1970s. The plant is found only on the islands of Malta and is widely popular with the people of the country.

The reason it was selected as the national flower is quite interesting. The plant has been categorized as highly endangered species and is on the brink of extinction, so it holds all the more significance in Maltese life. The Government has declared it as the national flower to make the people aware about this protected species and prevent it from complete extinction. This adorable flower is often described as the ‘red flowered crest’ in Malta which indicates the red-purple cluster of flowers at the terminal end of the stalk. The lovely purple Maltese rock centaury flowers with a mild sweet fragrance blossom from the end of May till July and enchants everyone with its beauty.

The flower is of immense importance in the daily lives of the Maltese people. It has roots in ancient history and a few engravings of the Maltese rock centaury can be found depicted of the ten pound gold coins which were issued in 1974.