Watch: ‘Ż**b L-Art’ – The Maltese Phallic Fungus Makes The Rounds On Social Media Once Again
It’s fascinating what peculiarities our planet is able to procure. A new social media platform Sugu TV is shedding light on a phallic-looking fungus cheekily referred to as “żobb l-art”.
The literal translation of this phrase is “penis of the earth” and we trust you can see why it was given this nickname.
This is not the first time the local fungus made the rounds on social media, with the YouTube channel Rare Earth doing a whole mini-doc all about Gozitan landmark Fungus Rock’s namesake: the Maltese Fungus.
This show had also shone a light on the Maltese Dolmen Temples that same year, referring to them as the “ancient temple that nobody loves”.
But, in case you need a recap, this peculiarly shaped parasitic flower was among Malta’s most sought-after commodities – it was hailed as a miraculous remedy by the Knights of St. John’s warriors who fiercely protected the plant.
The plant was directly overseen by Grand Master Jean de La Valette, who assigned his knights the task of harvesting it annually. They would then store it within Dwejra Tower, constructed in 1651 to safeguard Fungus Rock and defend the island of Gozo against potential enemy incursions.
It served as a preferred remedy for venereal diseases and was utilised as both a contraceptive and a toothpaste. Additionally, it found application as a textile dye, imparting vibrant hues to fabrics. It was even prescribed to address a range of ailments including high blood pressure, vomiting, and irregular menstrual cycles.
Today, the plant is scarcely recognized beyond the shores of Malta, despite its once widespread cultivation throughout the Mediterranean and presentation as a prestigious gift to European monarchs during the 16th century.
In that era, both Arabs and Europeans revered it as a miraculous panacea, a legacy largely overshadowed by the advancements of modern medicine
Have you ever seen this plant?
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