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Vol. V ANNALI DI BOTANICA nuova serie 2005
A SYNTAXONOMICAL SURVEY OF
THE SICILIAN DWARF SHRUB VEGETATION BELONGING
TO THE CLASS RUMICI-ASTRAGALETEA SICULI
S. BRULLO*, A. CORMACI*, G. GIUSSO DEL GALDO*, R. GUARINO**, P. MINISSALE*,
G. SIRACUSA*, G. SPAMPINATO***
*Dipartimento di Botanica, Università di Catania,
Via A. Longo 19, I-95125 Catania, e-mail: brullo@dipbot.unict.it
**Dipartimento di Scienze Botaniche, Università di Cagliari,
Viale Frà Ignazio da Laconi 13, I-09123 Cagliari, e-mail: guarinotro@hotmail.com
***Dipartimento S.T.A.F.A., Piazza San Francesco 4, I-89061 Gallina,
Reggio Calabria, e-mail: gspampinato@unirc.it
ABSTRACT - Basing on literature data and unpublished relevés from Sicily, a survey of the syntaxa
belonging to the class Rumici-Astragaletea siculi Pignatti & Nimis 1980 em. Mucina 1997 (=
Cerastio-Carlinetea nebrodensis Brullo 1984) is presented. The class groups orophilous plant
communities dominated by hemicryptophytes and by dwarf-shrubs, often with a pulvinate and
thorny growth-form. The class is represented in Sicily by two orders: Rumici-Astragaletalia siculi
Pignatti & Nimis 1980, including the sole alliance Rumici-Astragalion siculi Poli 1965, restricted
to Mount Etna, and Erysimo-Jurinetalia bocconei Brullo 1984, including two alliances: the aci-
dophilous Armerion nebrodensis Brullo 1984 and the basiphilous Cerastio-Astragalion nebroden-
sis Pignatti & Nimis ex Brullo 1984. Within the class, nineteen associations have been recognized.
Nomenclature, floristic settlement, ecology and chorology are examined for each syntaxon. The
floristic autonomy of the class Rumici-Astragaletea siculi is examined from the phytogeographic
viewpoint and is confirmed by numerical analyses including not only the Sicilian phytocoenoses,
but also those occurring in Sila and Aspromonte (Calabria) and ascribed to the same class by
Brullo et al. (2001, 2004). It is, as well, highlighted that the Pollino massif represents the south-
ernmost limit to the distribution range of the class Festuco-Brometea, whose southward expansion
is hampered by the lack carbonatic highlands in the southernmost tip of the Italian Peninsula.
KEY WORDS - Sicily, orophilous vegetation, dwarf shrubs, phytosociology, Rumici-Astragaletea siculi.
INTRODUCTION
In the high mountain vegetation of Sicily, the most peculiar structural types are
extensively dominated by dwarf shrubs, often with a thorny and pulvinate habit.
These shrubs are particularly effective in retaining soil particles and organic matter
under their canopies, therefore providing a shelter from the harsh environmental
conditions to manifold herbaceous species (geophytes, therophytes and hemicryp-
tophytes). The vegetation at issue, in its typical aspect, forms spotted, discontinu-
ous layers on windy slopes and rocky habitats.
The high scientific attractiveness of this vegetation is given by the high num-
ber of endemic or relict species, a real highlight for Mediterranean phytogeogra-
phers, and by the morphologic and physiologic adaptations of chief species.
Several phytosociological data are available on this topic: Frei (1940) and Gilli
(1943) provided the fist contributions on the plant communities occurring in the
summit area of Etna. Afterwards, the orophilous vegetation of Etna was re-exam-
ined by Poli (1965) and by Pignatti et al. (1980) who first extended the survey to
the Madonie massif. In addition to the phytosociological treatment of the surveyed
vegetation, the latter contribution provided a peer analysis on the ecologic adapta-
tions, origin and chorologic features of the Central Mediterranean orophilous flora.
Further contributions on the Madonie highlands were provided by Raimondo
(1980) and by Brullo (1984), who proposed a new syntaxonomical survey of the
Sicilian orophilous dwarf vegetation.
Since then, with the exception of a phytosociologic map of Madonie (Raimondo
et al. 1994), no other contributions have been published on such an interesting
topic, although many additional data progressively accumulated in doctoral thesis
(Siracusa 1996; Guarino 1998; Giusso 2001; Cormaci 2001) and other specific
studies. On such basis, a general survey on the distribution of the orophilous dwarf
plant communities of Siciliy is presented here, by taking into account, as well, the
relationships with strictly allied communities of the siliceous massifs of Calabria.
STUDY SITES
The vegetation examined in this paper has a scattered distribution along the main
elevations of Sicily, wherever the altitude exceeds 1400 m a.s.l., with exceptional
descents at lower altitudes on windy, rocky ridges and summit outcrops. The surveyed
plant communities have their maximum diversity on Etna and Madonie, but they have
been recorded, as well, on Sicani, Nebrodi and Peloritani massifs (FIGURE 1):
– Etna is an active volcano, including the highest elevation of Sicily (currently 3314
m a.s.l.). In the summit area, the substrata are represented by volcanic scoriae,
lava flows and basaltic outcrops.
– Madonie are forming the highest part of the northern range of Sicily. This massif
includes several peaks higher than 1700 m a.s.l., the highest being Pizzo
Carbonara (1979 m a.s.l.). Many lithotypes are here represented, including
Mesozoic limestones and dolomites, quartzarenites, schists and flaky clays.
– Nebrodi are the longest part of the northern range of Sicily. The highest point is
Mt. Soro (1847 m a.s.l.) and the lithotypes of the summit areas are flysch with
sparse outcrops of Mesozoic limestones and siliceous metamorphic rocks.
– Peloritani are the oldest part of the northern range of Sicily, chiefly formed by
siliceous rocks with different metamorphic degree. The vegetation at issue only
104
occurs on a small outcrop of Mesozoic limestones, forming the summit plateau of
Mt. Scuderi (1253 m a.s.l.).
– Sicani are the westmost massif of Sicily, quite isolated from the other high moun-
tains of the island. The highest peaks are Mt. Cammarata (1578 m a.s.l.) and
Rocca Busambra (1613 m a.s.l.), both made of Mesozoic limestones.
The surveyed plant communities grow on various substrata, with different pH
and granulometry, derived from the degradation of the above mentioned lithotypes.
The severe environmental conditions hamper the development of soils: the most
typical habitats of the vegetation at issue look very stony, although a feeble accu-
mulation of finer particles may occur under the shrubs. Grounds are often eroded
and, being scarcely developed, they are reflecting with unusual fidelity the chemi-
cal composition of the bedrock. All surveyed sites were very windy and exposed to
an intense solar radiation (Etna: Casa Cantoniera, 1882 m: 17830 kJ/m2); traces of
cryoturbation were evident at more than 1.700 m a.s.l.
The average year temperature in these habitats ranges between 3° and 11° C,
with average min. daily temperatures between 8° and 1.5° C and av. max. daily
temperatures between 17° and 26° C. The thermic excursion of the daily tempera-
tures averages between 13° and 25° C, while the yearly thermic excursion averages
between 19° and 34° C.
Rainfalls range between 800 and 1250 mm/yr, but their distribution shows the
neat gap in summer, that is typical of Mediterranean climates. The snow-deck is
rather changeable, depending on altitudes, topography and wind. The only available
record reports, on average, 3-4 months with snow-deck/yr (Etna, Casa Cantoniera,
1882 m a.s.l.).
Winds are rather frequent and strong, due to thermic and baric gradients. The
vicinity of the sea acts as a main environmental factor, especially in summer: the
105
FIGURE 1- Map of the Sicilian mountains exceeding 1000 m a.s.l..
moisty air, blown upwards by the sea breeze, is responsible for abundant dew in the
early morning, that partially buffers the summer drought (Pignatti et al. 1980).
Following the bioclimatic classification of Rivas-Martínez & Loidi Arregui
(1999), the surveyed plant communities find their optimal ecological requirements
within the supra- and oromediterranean thermotypes, but they are also occurring
within the supra-temperate submediterranean thermotype, limited to the Nebrodi
summits, and within the cryo-oromediterranean thermotype, on the top of Etna. The
ombrotypes range from subhumid to humid, depending on the altitude, on the expo-
sure and on the distance from the sea, with Nebrodi and Peloritani being the most
humid sites and Sicani the driest ones (Brullo et al. 1996).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The present survey is based on literature data (305 relevés) and unpublished
ones (259 relevés), all from Sicily. In order to compare the vegetation at issue with
allied syntaxa described for Central-Southern Italy, further 307 relevés taken from
literature have been merged into synoptic tables, 56 of which from Sila Massif
(Central Calabria) and 70 from Aspromonte Massif (Southern Calabria).
Particular attention was paid to the relevés from Central and Southern Calabria,
because of the close affinity between the orophilous pulvinate vegetation of Sila and
Aspromonte with that of Sicilian mountains.
All relevés were sampled according to the Braun-Blanquet’s method (Braun-
Blanquet, 1964; Westhoff & van der Maarel, 1973). To compare the similarity across
the relevés, a multivariate analysis has been performed on a matrix of 213 species x
124 relevés, by means of the software package Syn-tax 5.1 (Podani, 1995).
The numerical analyses were based on presence/absence (binary) data. The
matrix was made of 60 relevés from Sicily and 64 from Calabria. The processed
relevés were selected across the whole data set, preferring those with the highest
floristic richness. To obtain the hierarchical clustering, the Sørensen algorithm was
adopted as resemblance coefficient and the single link was adopted as distance-
optimizing method. A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) has been performed
too, aiming to detect ecological gradients related to the data set.
Besides, a second numerical analysis was performed by the same methodology
on a matrix of 62 relevés x 226 species, in order to compare the relevés of Sicily,
Aspromonte and Sila with some relevés sampled in the orophilous hemicrypto-
chamaephytic vegetation of Central and Southern Apennines. This was aimed to
sound out the floristic autonomy of the issued vegetation with respect to that of the
southernmost massifs of the Apenninic range.
The floristic analysis was based on the taxa listed in the phytosociological tables.
The Raunkiaer’s classification of the growth forms was followed in the biological
spectrum and the chorologic types proposed by Brullo et al. (1998) were adopted in
the chorological spectrum.
For the critical examination of the surveyed syntaxa, the international code of
phytosociological nomenclature was followed (Weber et al.,2000). The taxonomic
nomenclature follows Pignatti (1982), in some cases partially updated on the basis
of more recent papers: Stipa sicula Moraldo, Galium venustum Jordan, Scleranthus
106
venustus Rchb., Bellardiochloa violacea (Bellardi) Chiov., Bellardiochloa aetnen-
sis (C. Presl) Brullo & Siracusa, Avenochloa cincinnata (Ten.) Holub, Sesleria niti-
da Ten. ssp. sicula Brullo & Giusso, Scabiosa crenata Cyr. var. hirsuta Guss.,
Pimpinella tragium Vill. var. glauca (C. Presl) Lojac., Asperula scabra Link var.
incana Guss., Senecio chrysanthemifolius Poir., Herniaria microcarpa C. Presl.
RESULTS
The orophilous pulvinate vegetation of Sicily is characterized by a pool of
species having a remarkable phytogeographical interest. The chorologic spectrum
107
FIGURE 2- Chorologic spectrum of the flora of the surveyed plant communities.
FIGURE 3- Life-forms spectrum of the flora of the surveyed plant communities (NP: nanophanero-
phytes; Ch: chamaephytes; H: hemicryptophytes; G: geophytes; T: therophytes).
(FIGURE 2) highlights a 35.4% of endemic taxa, of which 21% restricted to Sicily.
The Mediterranean element includes 49.4% of the sampled flora, that is chiefly rep-
resented by Circum-Mediterranean taxa (21%).
With reference to the life-forms spectrum displayed in FIGURE 3, the surveyed
vegetation is clearly dominated by hemicryptophytes (42.8%) and chamaephytes
(31%). These two groups are not only the richest in species, but also including the
species characterizing the physiognomy of these plant communities.
The syntaxonomical treatment of this vegetation has been quite controversial, up
to a recent past, probably because the whole perspective was missing, as most of the
published data focussed on Etna and/or Madonie. At first, three associations from
Etna have been validly published by Frei (1940), two of which revived by Gilli
(1943), Lüdi (1956) and Poli (1965). The last author, in particular, was the first who
highlighted how problematic was the framing of the orophilous pulvinate associa-
tions of Etna into any of the known higher syntaxa. She therefore proposed a new
alliance, Rumici-Astragalion siculi, and postulated the occurrence of a new order,
proposed by Giacomini under the provisory name of Astragaletalia siculae.
Pignatti et al. (1980) proposed the new class Rumici-Astragaletea siculi, where
the Etnean vegetation belonging to Rumici-Astragalion siculi was included. The
same authors, who investigated, as well, the orophilous pulvinate vegetation of
Madonie, ascribed them the classes Ononido-Rosmarinetea and Cisto-
Lavanduletea, on the basis of a somewhat physiognomical convergence, due to the
presence of very few and sporadic character species of these two classes. In par-
ticular, the recorded basiphilous communities were included in an endemic
alliance, Cerastio-Astragalion nebrodensis, framed into the order Erinacetalia;
while the two acidophilous association, exclusively on the basis of their ecology,
were referred with some perplexities one (Genistetum cupanii) to the Cisto-
Lavanduletea and the other (Plantagini-Armerietum nebrodensis) to the Trifolion
humilis (Erinacetalia).Successively Brullo (1984), in a study about the vegetation
of Madonie, emphasized the importance of a group of endemic taxa common to all
the Sicilian high mountains and noted that the occurrence of these species was
largely superior in number and cover abundance than the occurrence of those char-
acterizing the two classes considered by Pignatti et al. (1980). He therefore pro-
posed a new class, Cerastio-Carlinetea nebrodensis, including all the Sicilian
hemicrypto-chamaephytic orophilous vegetation. The possibility to emend the
name Rumici-Astragaletea siculi, by following the Art. 47 of the code, was actual-
ly considered unproper by Brullo because it was explicitly excluded by Pignatti et
al. (l.c.)that the Etnean class could include, as well, the communities of Madonie.
Moreover, the species choosen by Pignatti for the name Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
are endemic to Etna and therefore not really suitable for a class including all the
Sicilian communities. Mucina (1997) had a different opinion: in a survey of the
European phytosociological classes, he emended the Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
and included within this class the Cerastio-Carlinetea nebrodensis.
Within this class, two orders can be recognized (FIGURE 4): one restricted to
Etna, Rumici-Astragaletalia siculi with the sole alliance Rumici-Astragalion siculi,
and one stretched over the heights of the mountains of Northern Sicily, Erysimo-
Jurinetalia bocconei, with two alliances: one basiphilous (Cerastio-Astragalion
nebrodensis) and one acidophilous (Armerion nebrodensis).
108
More recently, the range of this class have been enlarged up to the siliceous mas-
sifs of Calabria (Brullo et al. 2001, 2004), where an independent order have been
recognized (Anthemidetalia calabricae), comprising two alliances, one limited to
the Aspromonte heights (Armerion aspromontanae) and one restricted to Sila
(Koelerio-Astragalion calabrici).
This syntaxonomic arrangement is well supported by the cluster diagram in
FIGURE 5, where the first three branches correspond to the orders and the five
alliances merge at more than 0.45 dissimilarity index. The PCA (FIGURES 6-7)
confirms the segregation of these groups also from the ecological viewpoint. In
particular, the first axis could be related to a gradient of water availability, iden-
tifying the phytocoenoses belonging to the Aetnean alliance as the most
edaphoxerophilous (they are growing under dry ombrotypes, on mineral terrains,
109
FIGURE 4- Geographical distribution of the alliances and orders included in the class Rumici-
Astragaletea siculi.
FIGURE 5- Cluster diagram of the associations ascribed to the class Rumici-Astragaletea siculi.
whose water capacity is very low), and those of Sila as the most edaphohy-
grophilous (they are growing under humid ombrotypes, on relatively deep and
moisty granitic soils). The second axis could be related to the meteoric alteration
of the soils, that is very low on Etna (where substrata are constantly renewed by
the volcanic activity) and on Sila (where the incoherent substrata, deriving from
the alteration of old granites, crumble very easily and are quickly eroded by the
weathering), while it is relatively high on Aspromonte and on the siliceous tops
of Madonie, where substrata are altered by very slow pedogenetic processes, act-
ing since ancient times on the flattened plateaux that are typical of these massifs.
The third axis could be related to the pH of the substrata, identifying the phyto-
coenoses belonging to the Rumici-Astragalion siculi as the most acidophilous
and those belonging to Cerastio-Astragalion nebrodensis as the most
basiphilous.
110
FIGURE 6- PCA - first vs. second axis of the associations ascribed to the class Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
FIGURE 7- PCA - first vs. third axis of the associations ascribed to the class Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
Aiming to outline a synthesis about the phytosociological treatment of the
Sicilian representatives of these interesting plant communities, the following syn-
taxonomic scheme is commented:
RUMICI-ASTRAGALETEA SICULI Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980,
CNR AQ/1/79: 56 em. Mucina 1997.
HOLOTYPUS:Rumici-Astragaletalia siculi Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980.
SYN.: Ononido-Rosmarinetea sensu Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980 non
Br.-Bl. 1947.
111
FIGURE 8- Geographical ranges of the endemics occurring in the associations of Rumici-Astragaletea
siculi. Numbers are indicating how many species do have the same range.
FIGURE 9- Cluster diagram of the associations of Rumici-Astragaletea siculi, compared to some asso-
ciations of Phleo ambigui-Bromion erecti (Festuco-Brometea). Two relevés, the richest in species,
have been processed for each phytosociological association.
Cisto-Lavanduletea sensu Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980 non Br.-Bl. 1940.
Cerastio-Carlinetea nebrodensis Brullo 1984, Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16
(322): 377 nom. illeg. (Art. 22).
CHARACTER SPECIES:Acinos aetnensis, Arabis rosea, Bellardichloa nebrodensis,
Bunium petraeum, Carlina nebrodensis, Centaurea parlatoris, Cerastium tomento-
sum, Galium aetnicum, Herniaria microcarpa, Hieracium macranthum,
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii, Phleum ambiguum (diff.), Rumex multi-
fidus (diff.), Saponaria sicula, Scleranthus marginatus, Silene sicula, Tragopogon
nebrodensis, Valeriana tuberosa (diff.).
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:Heliophilous vegetation dominated by hemicriptophytes,
pulvinate chamaephytes and nanophanerophytes, colonizing initial soils derived
from limestones, dolomites, quartzites, granites, metamorphic and volcanic rocks.
The habit of the chief species let them to tolerate the strong winds and the seasonal
drought stress characterizing their growing sites, represented by summit plateaux,
slants and ridges. The communities of this class, even if primarily colonizing the
summit extension above the timber-line, or rocky outcrops in the altitudinal belt of
the orophilous woodlands, largely occur on eroded soils and debris in secondary
habitat created by the human or the volcanic activity. The bioclimatic belts relat-
ed to this vegetation are between the supra- and the cryo-oromediterranean.
DISTRIBUTION:High mountains of Sicily (Sicani, Madonie, Nebrodi, Etna,
Peloritani), Central and Southern Calabria (Sila and Aspromonte massifs).
RUMICI-ASTRAGALETALIA SICULI Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980,
CNR AQ/1/79: 56.
HOLOTYPUS:Rumici-Astragalion siculi Poli 1965.
SYN.: Astragaletalia siculae Giacomini ex Poli 1965, Fl. Veg. Ital. 5: 230, nom.
prov. (Art. 3b).
CHARACTER SPECIES:Anthemis aetnensis, Astragalus siculus, Bellardiochloa aet-
nensis, Erysimum etnense, Robertia taraxacoides (diff.), Rumex aetnensis, Senecio
aetnensis, Senecio chrysanthemifolius, Tanacetum siculum, Viola aethnensis.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: Order grouping herbaceo-chamaephytic orophilous com-
munities occurring on volcanic substrata. The maximum expression of this vegeta-
tion is found in the oro- and cryo-oromediterranean bioclimatic belt, but sometimes
it occurs within the supramediterranean one (altitudinal range: 1400-2900 m a.s.l.).
DISTRIBUTION:Etna (Eastern Sicily).
RUMICI-ASTRAGALION SICULI Poli 1965, Fl. Veg. Ital. 5: 59.
LECTOTYPUS: Astragaletum siculi (Frei 1940) Gilli 1943
CHARACTER SPECIES: see order.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: see order.
DISTRIBUTION: see order.
Astragaletum siculi (Frei 1940) Gilli 1943: Beih. Bot. Centr. 62: 66, corr. (TABLE 1).
NEOTYPUS:Rel. 5, in Gilli (1943), hoc loco.
SYN.: Astragaletum siculum aetnense Frei 1940, Ber. Geob. Inst. Rubel
(Zurich)1939: 90, nom. illeg. (art. 34).
112
Astragaletum siculae (Frei 1940) Gilli 1943: Beih. Bot. Centr. 62: 66 (art. 41 a).
Astragaletum siculi Poli 1965, Fl. Veg. Ital. 5: 61, nom. illeg. (art. 22).
CHARACTER SPECIES: Astragalus siculus (dom.), Cuscuta kotschyi, Scleranthus
etnensis.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: pulvinate vegetation, forming a patchy layer, 30-50 cm
high. The peak of the flowering time happens around the mid of June. This asso-
ciation is remarkably pioneer, colonizing volcanic sands, eroded soils and stony
slopes in windy sites. In optimal conditions, this vegetation normally reaches very
high cover values. The structure is given by the dominance of the big thorny pul-
vines of Astragalus siculus, having the maximum spread within the supra- and
oromediterranean belt (altitudinal range: 1500-2200 m a.s.l.). The association can
be found, however, at lower altitudes in secondary habitats.
DISTRIBUTION: Etna (Eastern Sicily).
Senecioni aetnensis-Anthemidetum aetnensis Frei 1940, Ber. Geob. Inst. Rubel
(Zurich) 1939: 87 (TABLE 2).
NEOTYPUS:Rel. 8, in Gilli (1943), hoc loco.
SYN.: Senecio aetnensis-Anthemis aetnensis ass. Frei 1940 Ber. Geob. Inst. Rubel
(Zurich) 1939:87.
Rumici-Anthemidetum aetnensis Poli 1965, Fl. Veg. Ital. 5: 61, nom. illeg. (art.22).
CHARACTER SPECIES:Anthemis aetnensis (dom.), Scleranthus vulcanicus,
Cardamine glauca.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:hemicrypto-chamaephitic vegetation, forming a discon-
tinuous layer, 5-15 cm high. The peak of the flowering time happens in July. The
association represents the highest altitudinal record of the Sicilian vegetation: it
has its optimum in the cryo-oromediterranean belt (2200-2900 m a.s.l.), where it
vicariates the Astragaletum siculi. The association may also occur at lower alti-
tudes, on volcanic sands, where it represents a seral stage, dynamically preceding
the Astragaletum siculi.
DISTRIBUTION: Etna (Eastern Sicily).
Festuco circummediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis Frei 1940, Ber. Geob.
Inst. Rubel (Zurich) 1939: 88, corr. (TABLE 3).
NEOTYPUS: TABLE 32, rel. 3, in Poli (1965), hoc loco.
SYN.: Poa aetnensis-Festuca nebrodensis ass. Frei 1940: Ber. Geob. Inst. Rubel
(Zurich) 1939: 88.
CHARACTER SPECIES: Bellardiochloa aetnensis (dom.).
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: discontinuous vegetation dominated by caespitose
hemicryptophytes, forming a patchy layer, 5-15 cm high. The peak of the flower-
ing time happens around the mid of June. The association dwells markedly erod-
ed soils and rocky slopes on windy ridges and at the basis of the volcanic dykes.
The altitudinal range of the association is between 1700 and 2300 m a.s.l.; being
the optimal aspects included in the oromediterranean belt.
DISTRIBUTION: Etna (Eastern Sicily).
NOTE:This vegetation was described first by Frei (1940) as “association with Poa
aetnensis and Festuca nebrodensis”. The name proposed by Frei must be correct-
113
ed (art. 43) because Festuca circummediterranea has been mistakenly determined
as F. nebrodensis, while Poa aetnensis, for the unkeeled lemma and the strictly
conduplicate leaves must be ascribed to the genus Bellardiochloa (Chrtek, 1970).
Phleo ambigui-Secaletum stricti Siracusa 1998, Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 30
(353): 324.
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 1, rel. 1, in Siracusa (1998).
CHARACTER SPECIES: Secale strictum.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: hemicryptophytic vegetation forming a continuous layer,
40-60 cm high. The structure is given by the dominance of two big caespitose
grasses, that are particularly successful in colonizing flat or gently sloping sites,
where volcanic sands and finer particles can accumulate. The peak of the flower-
ing time happens around the mid of June. This vegetation requires hollowed sites,
not very windy, relatively moist substrata. When the environmental factors
become more extreme, the association is replaced by the Astragaletum siculi. The
association occurs in the supra- and oromediterranean belts (altitudinal range:
1500- 1900 m a.s.l.) but it can also be found at lower altitudes in forest clearings.
DISTRIBUTION: Etna (Eastern Sicily).
Festuco circummediterraneae-Populetum tremulae Brullo & Siracusa ass. nov.
(TABLE 4).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 4, rel. 6, hoc loco.
CHARACTER SPECIES: Populus tremula f.ma nana.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:nanophanerophitic vegetation forming a patchy layer, 30-
50 cm high. The peak of the flowering time happens at the end of June. The asso-
ciation colonizes lavic sheers, with a sloping angle of 30°-40°, covered by a thin
layer of volcanic sand, that is kept permanently humid by the water deriving from
the snow-melting. The water cannot percolate through the sheers, and soaks up the
sand accumulated against volcanic dykes, that shelter the slopes from the dry
north-westerly wind. This microhabitat occurs in the cryo-oromediterranean belt,
between 2300 and 2400 m a.s.l., and is successfully colonized by Populus tremu-
la, that at these heights puts on a prostrate-pulvinate dwarf growth form.
DISTRIBUTION: restricted to a small area of the southern flank of Etna (Timpa
dell’Albanello).
Cerastio tomentosi-Hieracietum pallidi Brullo & Siracusa ass. nov. (TABLE 5).
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 5, rel. 10, hoc loco.
SYN.: aggr. a Hieracium crinitum e Luzula sieberi Poli 1965, Fl. Veg. Ital. 5: 140.
CHARACTER SPECIES:Hieracium pallidum.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: Chasmophilous hemicrypto-chamaephytic vegetation,
colonizing fractured volcanic dykes and steep rocky slopes with northerly expo-
sures, in the supra- and oromediterranean belt (altitudinal range: 1600-2000 m
a.s.l.). The peak of the flowering time happens at the end of June.
DISTRIBUTION: restricted to the southern rim of Valle del Bove, along the ridge
named Schiena dell’Asino (SE flank of Etna).
114
ERYSIMO-JURINETALIA BOCCONEI Brullo 1984, Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat.
16 (322): 379.
HOLOTYPUS: Cerastio-Astragalion nebrodensis Pignatti & Nimis ex Brullo 1984,
Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 380.
SYN.: Erinacetalia sensu Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR AQ/1/79:
56, non Quezel 1953.
Lavanduletalia stoechadis sensu Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR
AQ/1/79: 56, non Br.-Bl. 1940.
CHARACTER SPECIES: Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis, Allium cupanii, Asperula
scabra var. incana, Dianthus arrostii, Erysimum bonannianum, Galium venustum,
Helianthemum croceum (diff.), Jurinea bocconei, Koeleria splendens ssp. splen-
dens, Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.), Minuartia verna ssp. grandiflora,
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.), Trisetum splendens.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:Order grouping herbaceo-chamaephytic orophilous com-
munities occurring on eroded initial soils derived from limestones, dolomites,
quartzites and metamorphic rocks (gneiss and schists). The maximum expression
of this vegetation is found within the supramediterranean bioclimatic belt, but
sometimes it occurs within the mesomediterranean one (altitudinal range: 980-
1950 m a.s.l.).
DISTRIBUTION:High mountains of Northern Sicily (Sicani, Madonie, Nebrodi, and
Peloritani).
CERASTIO-ASTRAGALION NEBRODENSIS Pignatti & Nimis ex Brullo 1984,
Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 380.
HOLOTYPUS:Lino-Seslerietum siculae Pignatti & Nimis 1980 em. Brullo 1984, Boll.
Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 381.
SYN.: Cerastio-Astragalion nebrodensis Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980,
CNR AQ/1/79: nom. illeg.( art. 5).
CHARACTER SPECIES:Astragalus nebrodensis, Alyssum nebrodense, Avenochloa
cincinnata (diff.), Cachrys ferualacea (diff.), Helianthemum cinereum, Inula mon-
tana (diff.), Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.), Pimpinella tragium var. glauca, Sesleria
nitida ssp. sicula, Sideritis sicula, Knautia calycina, Viola nebrodensis, Onosma
canescens.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:This alliance includes basiphilous and neutrophilous
communities occurring on limestones, dolomites, diagenized clays and flysch. The
structure of the communities and the altitudinal range are the same of the order.
DISTRIBUTION: see order.
Lino punctati-Seslerietum siculae Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR
AQ/1/79: 59, em. Brullo 1984, Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 381, corr.
(TABLE 6).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 8, rel. 74, in Pignatti et al. (1980).
SYN.: Lino-Seslerietum nitidae Pignatti & Nimis 1980 em. Brullo 1984, Boll. Acc.
Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 381.
CHARACTER SPECIES: Onosma canescens, Teucrium montanum, Laserpitium sicu-
lum, Linum punctatum, Stipa sicula, Helianthemum nebrodense.
115
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: xerophilous association forming a discontinuous layer,
20-45 cm high. It colonizes lithosoils on rocky slopes and eroded sites. The rich
floristic settlement is caracterized by the codominance of hemicriptophytes and
chamaephytes, normally equally distributed, although Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula
may become dominant. The peak of the flowering time happens at the beginning
of June. The ecological optimum is in the supramediterranean belt (altitudinal
range: 1200-1800 m a.s.l.).
DISTRIBUTION: Madonie, on carbonatic outcrops.
Carduncello pinnati-Thymetum spinulosi Brullo & Marcenò 1984, Boll. Acc.
Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 383 (TABLE 7).
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 8 rel. 12, in Brullo (1984).
CHARACTER SPECIES:Carduncellus pinnatus, Scorzonera villosiformis, Teucrium
chamedrys, Thymus spinulosus.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:vegetation dominated by chamaephytes, normally with a
prostrate growh, forming a discontinuous layer, 20-35 cm high. The peak of the
flowering time happens in June. Cover values are rather changeable, depending on
the intensity of the pasturage. This association colonizes debris and eroded soils
derived from flaky clays, flysch, limestones and dolomites, always characterized
by a relevant percentage of silt and clay. Colonized sites are often windy, gently
sloping summits, in the meso- and supramediterranean belt (altitudinal range:
1100-1400 m a.s.l.).
DISTRIBUTION:Madonie (namely on Mt. Quacella); Sicani (Mt. delle Rose, Mt.
Cammarata, Rocca Busambra); Nebrodi (common on eroded slopes and flysch
outcrops, although floristically quite poor).
Astragaletum nebrodensis Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR AQ/1/79:
58 (TABLE 8).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 7, rel. 66, in Pignatti et al. (1980).
CHARACTER SPECIES: Astragalus nebrodensis (dom.), Dianthus siculus.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: Markedly pioneer association, colonizing eroded soils
rich in skeleton, stony slopes and windy ridges. This vegetation forms a patchy
layer, 30-70 cm high. The peak of the flowering time happens around the mid of
June. The extreme environment is responsible for a relatively poor floristic settle-
ment, and a large amount of the total biodiversity is found inside the pulvines of
Astragalus, whose thick cushions shelter the other species from the strong wind
and let a slight accumulation of organic matter. The optimal aspect of the associa-
tion is in the supramediterranean belt, even if, sometimes, this vegetation can be
found at lower altitudes, in secondary habitats, on steep eroded slopes. The altitu-
dinal range is between 1400 and 1900 m a.s.l.
DISTRIBUTION: Madonie, on carbonates and flaky clays.
Cachryetum ferulaceae Raimondo 1980, CNR AQ/1/89: 21 (TABLE 9).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 5, rel. 1, in Raimondo (1980).
SYN.: Cerastio-Cachryetum ferulaceae Brullo & Marcenò 1984,: Boll. Acc. Gioenia
Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 385, nom. ill. (art. 22).
116
CHARACTER SPECIES: Cachrys ferulacea (dom.), Astragalus depressus var. leu-
cophaeus.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: Among the association belonging to the Cerastio-
Astragalion nebrodensis, this is one of the most mesophilous and nitrophilous, as
it prefers north-facing gently-sloping sites, with relatively deep soils with a fairly
good hydratation up to the late summer, due to an intense moisture condensation
and relatively frequent rains. Nevertheless, it is linked to rocky, karstic habitats,
with very primitive soils. The structure is given by the dominance of Cachrys fer-
ulacea, a big hemicriptophytes, that covers from 30 up to 80% of the ground. The
peak of the flowering time happens around the mid of June. The altitudinal range
is between 1600 and 1900 m a.s.l., in the oromediterranean belt.
DISTRIBUTION: Madonie, namely Pizzo Carbonara, Monte Mufara and Monte dei Cervi.
NOTE: in the original description, within this association, three subassociations were
recognized (Raimondo, 1980): typicum, artemisietosum albae and vicietosum glau-
cae. The subassociation typicum is a result of the overgrazing affecting the Madonie
heights, that enhances the growth of Cachrys ferulacea, an unpalatable, feebly
nitrophilous species. The other two subassociations, both characterized by the pres-
ence of Artemisia alba, are growing in primary habitats, represented by steep and
stony slopes. To give more emphasis to the well defined ecologic requirements of
Artemisia alba, in Sicily extremely rare and localized, it is here preferred to attrib-
ute the rank of association to the vegetation characterized by this species.
Sideritido siculae-Artemisietum albae (Raimondo 1980) Brullo & Giusso stat. nov.
(TABLE 10).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 5, rel. 2, in Raimondo (1980).
a) artemisietosum albae (Raimondo 1980) Brullo & Giusso comb. nova (= typ-
icum).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 5, rel. 2, in Raimondo (1980).
SYN.: Cachryetum ferulaceae artemisietosum Raimondo 1980, CNR AQ/1/89: 22.
Cerastio-Cachryetum ferulaceae artemisietosum Brullo & Marcenò 1984: Boll.
Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 385, nom. ill. (art. 22).
CHARACTER SPECIES: Artemisia alba, Verbascum siculum, Sternbergia exscapa.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: This subassociation, corresponding to the typical aspect
of the association, colonizes stony carbonatic substrata, on steep and windy slopes
(sloping angle up to 50°), between 1500 and 1900 m a.s.l., in the oromediterranean
bioclimatic belt. This vegetation forms a discontinuous layer, 20-40 cm high, dom-
inated by chamaephytes and caespitose hemicriptophytes. The peak of the flower-
ing time happens at the end of June. This association turns into the previous one
on less steep slopes and by the increase of the grazing pressure.
DISTRIBUTION: Madonie, namely Pizzo Carbonara.
b) vicietosum glaucae (Raimondo 1980) Brullo & Giusso comb. nova.
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 5, rel. 3, in Raimondo (1980).
SYN.: Cachryetum ferulaceae vicietosum Raimondo 1980, CNR AQ/1/89: 22.
CHARACTER SPECIES:Vicia glauca.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:This vegetation type substitutes the previous one on
screes and karstic crests. In this context, the plant density is lower and their height
117
usually does not exceed 30 cm. Hemicryptophytes are more abundant than
chamaephytes and the occurrence of Vicia glauca, a rare orophyte restricted to the
carbonatic mountains of Atlas, Sicily and Sardinia, clearly identifies this subasso-
ciation.
DISTRIBUTION:Madonie, namely Pizzo Carbonara. This subassociation can be con-
sidered a Sicilian vicariant of Cerastio supramontani-Helianthemetum crocei,
belonging to the alliance Polygalo sardoae-Seslerion barbaricinae (Carici-
Genistetea lobelii), restricted to the carbonatic relieves of Sardinia (Arrigoni & Di
Tommaso 1991).
Seslerio siculae-Melicetum cupanii Brullo & Giusso ass. nova (TABLE 11).
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 11, rel. 4, hoc loco.
CHARACTER SPECIES: Melica cupanii.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: discontinuous vegetation dominated by caespitose
hemicryptophytes, forming a patchy layer, 10-20 cm high. The peak of the flow-
ering time happens around the mid of June. The association dwells rocky carbon-
atic slopes on windy ridges, in the oromediterranean belt (altitudinal range 1800-
1950 m a.s.l.). On more stony and less steep sites, this association turns into the
Sideritido siculae-Artemisietum albae.
DISTRIBUTION: Madonie, namely Pizzo Carbonara.
Peucedanetum nebrodeFnsis Brullo & Giusso ass. nova (TABLE 12).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 12, rel. 8, hoc loco.
CHARACTER SPECIES: Peucedanum nebrodense.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: This association occurs in small depressions and around
the inner slopes of the dolines with northern exposure, where it forms a dense
layer, interrupted only by small outcrops of rocks. This vegetation benefits of a rel-
atively good accumulation of fine particles and organic matter. In these habitats,
the snow-bed lasts for quite a long time and the hydratation of the soil is fairly
good up to the late summer. The association is linked to the omediterranean belt
(altitudinal range: 1800-1900 m a.s.l.) and the peak of the flowering time happens
at the end of July, up to the mid of August.
DISTRIBUTION: Madonie, namely Pizzo Carbonara.
Seslerio siculae-Helictotrichetum convolutae Brullo & Cormaci ass. nova (TABLE 13).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 13, rel. 5, hoc loco.
CHARACTER SPECIES: Helictotrichon convolutum (dom.).
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: discontinuous vegetation dominated by caespitose
hemicryptophytes, forming a dense layer, 25-40 cm high. The peak of the flower-
ing time happens at the beginning of June. The association occurs in secondary
habitats, related to the irreversible degradation of woodlands, where it dwells
heavily eroded soils on carbonatic slopes. The association finds its optimum in the
supramediterranean belt (altitudinal range 1300-1570 m a.s.l.), although it may
also occur at lower altitudes, where it merges into more thermophilous dry grass-
lands, dominated by Ampelodesmos mauritanica.
DISTRIBUTION: Sicani.
118
Festuco rubrae-Seslerietum siculae Brullo & Cormaci ass. nova (TABLE 14).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 14, rel. 2, hoc loco.
CHARACTER SPECIES:Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula (dom.), Festuca rubra (diff.).
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: vegetation dominated by caespitose hemicryptophytes,
forming a dense layer, 15-25 cm high. The peak of the flowering time happens
around the mid of June. The association dwells rocky carbonatic slopes on windy
ridges, in the supramediterranean belt (altitudinal range 1300-1570 m a.s.l.). On
screes, this association shifts towards glareicolous communities belonging to the
alliance Linarion purpureae (Scrophulario-Helichrysetea italici).
DISTRIBUTION: This association, for its structure and adaptative behaviour, can be
seen as an ecological vicariant, on Sicani, of Seslerio siculae-Melicetum cupanii.
Helichryso italici- Onosmetum canescentis Brullo & Guarino ass. nova (TABLE 15).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 15, rel. 4, hoc loco.
CHARACTER SPECIES: Onosma canescens (dom.), Helichrysum italicum (diff.),
Festuca nigrescens ssp. microphylla (diff.).
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: Hemicrypto-chamaephytic vegetation, forming a discon-
tinuous layer, 20-25 cm high. The peak of the flowering time happens at the begin-
ning of June. The habitat is constituted by carbonatic screes and steep rocky
places, between 980 and 1140 m a.s.l.. The bioclimatic type is supramediterranean
lower humid. Within the association, two facies can be recognized, one character-
ized by Lomelosia crenata ssp. hirsuta, that is typical of rocky habitats, and one
by Pimpinella tragium var. glauca, Euphorbia myrsinites and Galium venustum,
tipically occurring on screes.
DISTRIBUTION: this association has been observed around the summit of Mt. Scuderi
(Peloritani), and it can be considered a local vicariant of the Lino-Seslerietum niti-
dae. The lower altitude of Mt. Scuderi does not allow the growth of many of the
orophytes characterising the latter association, the occurrence of Helichrysum
italicum as differential species is a further proof of the relative xero-thermophily
of the association at issue. Although the character species of Erysimo-Jurinetalia
bocconei are poorly represented on Mt. Scuderi, this mountain has got an high
phytogeographic interest, because it represents the easternmost outpost of the dis-
tribution range of the above mentioned order, having its barycentre on Madonie,
where the higher elevations better satisfy the ecological requirements of the vege-
tation at issue. It is likely that, during the Messinian age, the indirect uplift of the
mountains enabled the vegetation belonging to this order to form a continuous belt
along the mountain ranges of northern Sicily, of which the Helichryso italici-
Onosmetum canescentis represents a last, floristically poor, fragment.
Plantagini humilis-Asperuletum gussonei Brullo & Guarino ass. nova (TABLE 16).
HOLOTYPUS: TABLE 16, rel. 2, hoc loco.
CHARACTER SPECIES:Plantago humilis, Asperula gussonei.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY: Hemicrypto-chamaephytic vegetation, forming quite a
continuous layer, 5-15 cm high. The peak of the flowering time happens at the
beginning of June. The habitat is constituted by flattened or stepped outcrops of
carbonatic rocks, between 1100 and 1253 m a.s.l.. The bioclimatic type is
119
supramediterranean lower humid. Both the character species are rather untypical
of this ecological context: Asperula gussonei is well known as an orophilous cal-
ciphilous chasmophyte, endemic to Northern Sicily, where it is a member of
Asplenietea trichomanis-vegetation, while Plantago humilis is a calcifuge pulv-
inated chamaephyte, normally growing on siliceous substrata.
DISTRIBUTION:this association has been observed on the summit of Mt. Scuderi
(Peloritani), and it can be considered an edaphic vicariant of the Plantagini
humilis-Armerietum nebrodensis. Both these associations are phisiognomically
characterized by Plantago humilis, but on Mt. Scuderi the species composition is
formed by a pool of calciphilous elements that are missing on the quartzarenitic
outcrops of Madonie, where Plantago humilis finds its optimal ecological require-
ments. It is likely that during the Messinian Age, and, perhaps, even during some
phases of the Quaternary glaciations, Pl. humilis was well represented along the
siliceous ridge of Peloritani. This species is nowadays confined to the small car-
bonatic outcrop of Mt. Scuderi by the relatively low elevation of the Peloritani
range, that reduces the chances of this pioneer but poorly competitive species.
ARMERION NEBRODENSIS Brullo 1984 Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 380.
HOLOTYPUS: Plantagini-Armerietum nebrodensis Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al.
1980, CNR AQ/1/79: 60.
SYN.: Trifolion humilis Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, non Quézel 1957.
CHARACTER SPECIES:Armeria nebrodensis, Genista cupanii, Avenella flexuosa,
Festuca pignattiorum.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:This alliance includes the acidophilous communities
occurring on quartzites and quartzarenites. All the communities belonging to this
alliance are dominated by small pulvinate plants and the altitudinal range is the
same of the order.
DISTRIBUTION: Siliceous peaks of Madonie.
Plantagini-Armerietum nebrodensis Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR
AQ/1/79: 60 (TABLE 17).
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 10, rel. 92, in Pignatti et al. (1980).
CHARACTER SPECIES:Plantago humilis (dom.), Bellardiochloa violacea,Minuartia
condensata,Scleranthus venustus.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:patchy vegetation dominated by small pulvinate chamae-
phytes and caespitose hemicriptophytes. The peak of the flowering time happens
at the end of June. This phytocoenosis dwells markedly eroded soils on sunny
plateaux and windy ridges. The altitudinal range of the association is between
1700 and 1900 m a.s.l., in the oromediterranean belt. The soils colonized by this
vegetation are extremely leached and acid (pH: 5,4-6), often altered by cryoturba-
tion. Owing to the aeolic erosion, the habitat looks very stony, even there is a fee-
ble but constant accumulation of fine sediments under the surface, where a very
slow pedogenesis may explain the acidity of the soil (Pignatti et al. 1980).
DISTRIBUTION: Siliceous peaks of Madonie, namely on Mt. San Salvatore and
Vallone Madonna degli Angeli.
120
Genistetum cupanii Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR AQ/1/79: 62
(TABLE 18).
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 11, rel. 100, in Pignatti et al. (1980).
CHARACTER SPECIES:Genista cupanii (dom.), Tolpis virgata var. sexaristata.
STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY:This association finds its primary habitats on quartzitic
sunny slopes where the pedogenesis is hindered, but nowadays it covers large
areas in secondary habitats, where it plays a role in the dynamic processes linked
to the degradation of orophilous woodlands. The physiognomy of the association
is given by the growth-form of Genista cupanii, a nanophanerophyte forming
dense pulvines up to 1 m in diameter and 60 cm high. This vegetation is linked to
the supramediterranean bioclimatic belt, between 1100 and 1700 m a.s.l., and the
peak of the flowering time happens in June.
DISTRIBUTION:Siliceous peaks of Madonie.
DISCUSSION
Rumici-Astragaletea siculi is a narrowly ranging class, having a spotted distri-
bution on the highest mountains of Sicily, Central and Southern Calabria. The class
is clearly outlined by a group of orophytes that, becoming isolated in their restrict-
ed habitats at the end of the Tertiary, originated many vicarious populations, often
endemic to a sole mountain (TABLE 19). In FIGURE 8, the ranges of the most frequent
species in the surveyed vegetation are displayed. These orophytes confer to the
plant communities where they are dominating a strong phytogeographic connota-
tion (TABLE 21).
As a consequence of the Messinian Age, something similar happened all around
the Mediterranean basin, giving rise to an interesting system of vegetation com-
plexes, similar in their ecological specialization, structure and physiognomy, but
having such a remarkable floristic autonomy that justify the phytosociological treat-
ment as different classes, each endemic to a well defined Mediterranean mountain
district. Among these: Carici-Genistetea lobelii Klein 1972 em. Pignatti & Nimis
1980, endemic to Corsica and Sardinia; Saturejetea spinosae Zaffran 1990, endem-
ic to Crete; Diantho troodi-Teucrietea cyprii Brullo, Giusso & Guarino 2005,
endemic to Cyprus; Daphno-Festucetea Quézel 1964, endemic to the Southern
Balcans and SW Anatolia; Astragalo-Brometea Quézel 1973, endemic to Anatolia
and Lebanon.
On Etna, Madonie, Aspromonte and Sila, the vegetation of Rumici-Astragaletea
siculi is often contiguous to Pino-Juniperetea communities, which can be seen as
the last remains of a vegetation dominating the oro-Mediterranean belt before the
Messinian Age (Brullo et al., 2001). In spite of the spatial contiguity, pulvinate
communities are well distinct from those dominated by conifers, both considering
the structural differences and the ratio of species diversity, as already noted by some
authors in other Mediterranean districts (Rivas-Martínez 1964; Barbero & Quèzel
1975; Quèzel & Barbero 1989; Stanisci 1997; Rivas-Martínez et al. 2001). In a
recent survey on the Italian woods, Pignatti (1998) proposed to include the vegeta-
tion dominated by Pinus laricio in Calabria and Etna within the class Rumici-
Astragaletea siculi. In our opinion, this syntaxonomical treatment disregards the
121
different history and structure of the fragmentary plots dominated by conifers and
gives too much emphasis to the occurrence of species having their ecological opti-
mum in the neighbouring vegetation, although sporadically occurring, as well, in
the Pinus laricio-communities.
Some years ago, it was proposed by Biondi et al. (1995) to ascribe one of the
associations treated in this paper, Lino punctati-Seslerietum siculae,to the alliance
Phleo ambigui-Bromion erecti. This alliance is grouping basiphilous herbaceo-
chamaephytic communities of Central and Southern Apennines, stretching up to the
Pollino massif, which represents the most notable biogeographic limit for many
orophilous Apenninic species.
Among the species characterising the Festuco-Brometea class, only Phleum
ambiguum has a fairly good presence in the Calabrian and Sicilian communities,
while few others (Artemisia alba, Bromus erectus, Carlina acanthifolia, Galium
lucidum and Teucrium montanum) are very rare and localized (TABLE 20). The pro-
posal of Biondi et al. (l.c.) is therefore not very sound, also on the basis of a numer-
ical analysis, that was performed in order to compare the syntaxa of Rumici-
Astragaletea siculi to the most representative orophilous pytocoenoses of Festuco-
Brometea, occurring in central and southern Apennines. The cluster diagram in
FIGURE 9clearly shows how different are the relevés belonging to these two classes.
The class Rumici-Astragaletea siculi, like the allied endemic classes described
for the other big mediterranean islands, represents a meanigful patch to understand
the biogeographical history of the Mediterranean area. Its communities, nowadays
extremely rare and isolated, are precious relict examples of the Tertiary
Mediterranean vegetation, in Southern Europe nearly completely erased by the gla-
cial age.
SYNTAXONOMICAL SCHEME OF THE CLASS RUMICI-ASTRAGALETEA SICULI
RUMICI-ASTRAGALETEA SICULI Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980,
CNR AQ/1/79: 56 em. Mucina 1997.
RUMICI-ASTRAGALETALIA SICULI Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980,
CNR AQ/1/79: 56.
RUMICI-ASTRAGALION SICULI Poli 1965, Fl. Veg. Ital. 5: 59.
Astragaletum siculi (Frei 1940) Gilli 1943: Beih. Bot. Centr. 62: 66, corr.
Senecioni aetnensis-Anthemidetum aetnensis Frei 1940, Ber. Geob. Inst. Rubel
(Zurich) 1939: 87.
Festuco circummediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis Frei 1940, Ber. Geob.
Inst. Rubel (Zurich) 1939: 88, corr.
122
Phleo ambigui-Secaletum stricti Siracusa 1998, Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 30
(353): 324.
Festuco circummediterraneae-Populetum tremulae Brullo & Siracusa ass. nov.
Cerastio tomentosi-Hieracietum pallidi Brullo & Siracusa ass. nov.
ERYSIMO-JURINETALIA BOCCONEI Brullo 1984, Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat.
16 (322): 379.
CERASTIO-ASTRAGALION NEBRODENSIS Pignatti & Nimis ex Brullo 1984,
Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 380.
Lino punctati-Seslerietum siculae Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR
AQ/1/79: 59, em. Brullo 1984, Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 381, corr.
Carduncello pinnati-Thymetum spinulosi Brullo & Marcenò 1984, Boll. Acc.
Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 383.
Astragaletum nebrodensis Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR AQ/1/79: 58.
Cachryetum ferulaceae Raimondo 1980, CNR AQ/1/89: 21.
Sideritido siculae-Artemisietum albae (Raimondo 1980) Brullo & Giusso stat. nov.
a) artemisietosum albae (Raimondo 1980) Brullo & Giusso comb. nova (= typ-
icum);
b) vicietosum glaucae (Raimondo 1980) Brullo & Giusso comb. nova.
Seslerio siculae-Melicetum cupanii Brullo & Giusso ass. nova.
Peucedanetum nebrodensis Brullo & Giusso ass. nova.
Seslerio siculae-Helictotrichetum convolutae Brullo & Cormaci ass. nova.
Festuco rubrae-Seslerietum siculae Brullo & Cormaci ass. nova.
Helichryso italici- Onosmetum canescentis Brullo & Guarino ass. nova.
Plantagini humilis-Asperuletum gussonei Brullo & Guarino ass. nova.
123
ARMERION NEBRODENSIS Brullo 1984 Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 16 (322): 380.
Plantagini-Armerietum nebrodensis Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR
AQ/1/79: 60.
Genistetum cupanii Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980, CNR AQ/1/79: 62.
ANTHEMIDETALIA CALABRICAE Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato, 2001 Veg.
Aspromonte: 152.
ARMERION ASPROMONTANAE Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato, 2001 Veg.
Aspromonte: 152.
Armerio aspromontanae-Potentilletum calabrae Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato,
2001 Veg. Aspromonte: 152.
Armerio aspromontanae-Plantaginetum humilis Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato,
2001 Veg. Aspromonte: 154.
Armerio aspromontanae-Dianthetum brutii Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato, 2001
Veg. Aspromonte: 157.
Poo alpinae-Minuartietum condensatae Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato, 2001 Veg.
Aspromonte: 158.
Armerio aspromontanae-Asperuletum scabrae Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato, 2001
Veg. Aspromonte: 158.
Anthemidetum pulvinatae Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato, 2001 Veg. Aspromonte: 159.
Phleo ambigui-Brometum caprini Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato, 2001 Veg.
Aspromonte: 161.
KOELERIO BRUTIAE-ASTRAGALION CALABRICI Giacomini & Gentile ex
Brullo, all. nov.
HOLOTYPUS:Astragaletum calabri Giacomini & Gentile ex Brullo ass. nova, hoc loco.
SYN.: Koelerio-Astragalion calabri Giacomini & Gentile 1961, Delpinoa 3: 57,
nom. inval. (art. 8).
Koelerio-Astragalion calabri Giacomini & Gentile 1966, Anthrop. Veg.: 136, nom.
inval. (art. 8).
Koelerio-Astragalion calabri Giacomini & Gentile 1966 ex Pignatti 1980, CNR
AQ/1/79: 66 nom. inval. (art. 5).
124
Koelerio-Astragalion calabri Giacomini & Gentile 1966 ex Brullo, Gangale &
Uzunov, 2004, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 125: 481 nom. inval. (art. 5).
Cirsio-Nardion Giacomini & Gentile 1961, Delpinoa 3: 58, nom. inval. (art. 8), p.p.
Cirsio-Nardion Giacomini & Gentile 1966 Anthrop. Veg.: 138, nom. inval. (art. 8), p.p.
Cytiso-Bromion caprini Barbero & Bonin 1969, Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 116: 237, nom.
inval. (art. 8).
Cytiso-Bromion erecti Bonin 1978, These doct., Marseille: 142, nom. inval. (art. 1).
Ranunculo-Nardion Bonin 1978, These doct., Marseille: 132, nom. inval. (art. 1).
CHARACTER SPECIES, STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION: see Brullo et al.
(2004).
Astragaletum calabrici Giacomini & Gentile ex Brullo, ass. nova.
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 2, rel. 1, in Brullo et al. (2004), hoc loco.
SYN.: Astragaletum calabri Giacomini & Gentile 1961 Delpinoa 3: 56, nom. inval.
(art. 2b).
Astragaletum calabri Giacomini & Gentile 1966 Anthrop. Veg.: 136, nom. inval.
(art. 2b, 7).
Astragaletum calabri Giacomini & Gentile ex. Bonin 1978, These doct.,
Marseille:140, nom. inval. (art. 1).
Astragaletum calabri Giacomini & Gentile ex Pignatti 1980, CNR AQ/1/79: 66,
nom. inval. (art.5).
Astragaletum calabrici Giacomini & Gentile ex Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov, 2004,
Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 125: 469, nom. inval. (art.5).
CHARACTER SPECIES, STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION: see Brullo et al.
(2004).
Armerio brutiae-Potentilletum calabrae Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov, ex Brullo ass. nova
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 5, rel. 11, in Brullo et al. (2004), hoc loco.
a) potentilletosum calabrae Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov, ex Brullo subass. nova (=
typicum).
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 5, rel. 11, in Brullo et al. (2004), hoc loco.
SYN.: Hypochoerido-Potentilletum calabrae Giacomini & Gentile 1961 Delpinoa 3:
56, nom. inval. (art. 2b).
Hypochoerido-Potentilletum calabrae Giacomini & Gentile 1966, Anthrop. Veg.:
136, nom. inval. (art. 2b, 7).
Armerio brutiae-Potentilletum calabrae potentilletosum calabrae Brullo, Gangale
& Uzunov 2004, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 125: 473, nom. inval. (art.5).
CHARACTER SPECIES, STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION: see Brullo et al.
(2004).
b) seselietosum peucedanoidis Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov, ex Brullo subass. nova.
HOLOTYPUS:TABLE 5, rel. 21, in Brullo et al. (2004), hoc loco.
SYN.:Foeniculo-Festucetum spadiceae Giacomini & Gentile 1961 Delpinoa 3: 57,
nom. inval. (art. 2b).
Foeniculo-Festucetum spadiceae Giacomini & Gentile 1966, Anthrop. Veg.: 136,
nom. inval. (art. 2b, 7).
125
Foeniculo-Festucetum spadiceae Giacomini & Gentile ex Bonin 1978, These doct.,
Marseille: 135, nom. inval. (art. 1).
Armerio brutiae-Potentilletum calabrae seselietosum peucedanoidis Brullo,
Gangale & Uzunov 2004, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 125: 473, nom. inval. (art.5).
CHARACTER SPECIES, STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION: see Brullo et al.
(2004).
Festuco microphyllae-Genistetum silanae Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov, ex Brullo,
ass. nova.
HOLOTYPUS:T
ABLE 4, rel. 7, in Brullo et al. (2004), hoc loco.
SYN: Festuco microphyllae-Genistetum silanae Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov 2004,
Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 125: 473, nom. inval. (art.5).
CHARACTER SPECIES, STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION: see Brullo et al.
(2004).
Plantagini serpentinae-Chamaecytisetum spinescentis Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov,
ex Brullo ass. nova.
HOLOTYPUS:T
ABLE 3, rel. 2, in Brullo et al. (2004), hoc loco.
SYN: Festuco microphyllae-Genistetum silanae Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov 2004,
Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 125: 469, nom. inval. (art.5).
CHARACTER SPECIES, STRUCTURE AND ECOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION: see Brullo et al.
(2004).
126
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128
TABLE 1- Astragaletum siculi (Frei 1940) Gilli 1943.
129
Relevé 1234567891011121314151617181920212627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 140 140 140 140 185 185 185 185 180 185 185 185 185 185 185 185 165 165 165 170 170 165 190 190 190 190 182 182 182 182 182 182 200 200 200 200 200 205 205 205 205 205 215 215 215 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 230 230
Cover (%) 100 100 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 70 80 80 80 90 90 90 100 100 100 80 80 100 90 90 100 90 90 80 90 90 100 100 100 100 50 50 50 70 70 70 100 70 70 70 100 80 80 80 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
Plot size (sq. m) 100 100 100 100 200 200 200 200 200 70 50 50 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 50 50 100 40 40 40 40 40 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 9 0 90 80 90808080808080
Char. association
Astragalus siculus 34444334323331344543344343244455445444445543444344324343
Cuscuta kotschyi+.++2+11.......+......+122121++. 3342313323211 . . . 11 . .+ . ++
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
alion siculi e Rumici-Astra
g
aletalia siculi
Bellardiochloa aetnensis 2 1 + 1 . 112433333. 2 . . ++1+ ....231+1+3323211.+++++543345454 . .
Rumex aetnensis + . + + 1 + 1 1 . + + + . + . + . + + . . + + + 1 1 + .....++1.+111+++++ . . .+++ . . .21
Senecio aetnensis + + + . 1 + + + .......1+++..111+12.....1+111+1211+1+ . .++ .11 . .1+
Viola aethnensis . + + . 1 1 + + + . + + + + 1 .....+.+++11..+..11++1+++.+....++..+++...
Robertia taraxacoides (diff.) ....+.++.......+.+..++.......122.11+.++11+.++12111+ . . 1++
Erysimum etnense 1 1 + + 2 1 + 1211111211++ . .+ . . .++21++.........................
Anthemis aetnensis ....2..+1..................+121+...+.+..++...232212232 . .
Tanacetum siculum 3211 ...........1...........2++..2332332121444...........
Senecio chrysanthemifolius ..........+..1+.........................................
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Galium etnicum 2 + + 1222111222111. . +1211+3222+111222322322223221221212122
Cerastium tomentosum ....11131..........22.22...32223332233212144422322232222
Silene sicula 2 1 + 1 2 2 + + 22212111 . . .+1 . .+. 1111111.............+121+11+122
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii 2 1 1 . . 2 1 + 2112212. . . 321.......1+23........................
Saponaria sicula ....1+++.......+......+..11.+.+.++.+.++..+............+1
Carlina nebrodensis ...........+++++..............11+++.+++.+.+.............
Phleum ambiguum 2222.....1222112..............11........................
Acinos aetnensis + . + . . + . . . 1 + + 1 + . . + ....+.....1+...........................
Herniaria microcarpa + . . + ....+1++1++1........................................
Tragopogon nebrodensis + + ......+...++++........................................
Centaurea parlatoris ........11+++.+.........................................
Rumex multifidus ....++..................................................
Trans
g
r. Pino-Juni
p
eretea
Berberis aetnensis .....3+..++1+11+...++.....1......2332311+...............
Juniperus hemisphaerica 1 . 1 + .....111.+1+........................................
Other species
Festuca circummediterranea 1 1 + 13333322222232121+223333122223222221+ . ++++32333233233
Secale strictum 222122221 . 1+1+1. 3222222212123 . ++2333322++++++12212121222
Festuca rubra 2 3 2 . + 1 + ........232........ .21332212111++++. + ............
Linaria purpurea 1 1 . + 12111+11. . 1. 1+1. . 11122221. . +........................
Achillea ligustica ....++23......1....+1.1+12211................1+...1+1+23
Jasione echinata ......++.......+...........+1+.+.............121121211 . +
Calamagrostis epigejos 2 2 + .........................+..1.34433+++ ...............
Potentilla calabra 1 + + + . . + + 2 2 1 + . 2 1 + ........................................
Sedum tenuifolium .........1+++++..............................+.++..+.+..
Chondrilla juncea ....1+1+1.............+.22+.+...........................
Genista aetnensis ........+.+...+.12111...................................
Crepis leontodontoides ...............+++++++..................................
Hypochoeris hispida .........+.++2++........................................
Lactuca viminea . . . + + ..................11+..............................
Brachypodium sylvaticum ................332.....................................
Festuca exaltata ...................22...................................
Hypochoeris neapolitana + . . + ....................................................
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-4, Monte Vetore, 15-7-1994
Rel. 5-8, Monti Calcarazzi, 11-6-1994
Rel. 9, Serra la Nave 10-6-1994
Rel. 10-15, Serra la Nave 11-6-94
Rel. 16
,
between Rifu
g
io Sa
p
ienza and Serra la Nave
,
14-6-1994
Rel. 17-19, downslope Rifugio Citelli, 8-7-1994
Rel. 20-23, Monte Baracca, 8-7-1994
Rel. 24-26, next to Rifugio Citelli, 8-7-1994
Rel. 27-31, La Montagnola, 31-7-1994
Rel. 32-36, Vallone del Tripodio, 29-7-1994
Rel. 37-49, Monte Frumento delle Concazze, 8-7-1995
Rel. 50-58, Schiena dell'Asino, 12-7-1995
Rel. 59-60, Valle del Bove, 21-7-1980
TABLE 2- Senecioni aethnensis-Anthemidetum aetnensis Frei 1940.
Relevé 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950515253
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 260260 260 260 260 260 260 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 260 260 260 265 260 260 265 280 280 280 280 280 280 280 280 250 250 250 250 250 250 230 190 190 180 180 180 180 190 190 195 195 205 205 205 205 210 210 210
Cover (%) 50 70 50 50 40 50 60 60 50 60 40 40 50 40 30 40 40 30 30 40 40 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 50 50 35 50 40 20 50 100200 50 50 50 50 22322123323
Plot size (sq. m) 40 40 40 40 50 50 40 50 40 50 40 40 40 40 30 35 35 50 40 40 50 40 35 35 30 35 30 30 40 40 40 40 50 60 60 50 40 40 40 30 30 40 50 50 50 40 40 40 50 40 40 50 40
Char. association
Anthemis aetnensis 2222232222233211234233231234322232311+4343122212211+1
Scleranthus vulcanicus 1 1 1 + 1212211221+++ ............121233+........23+..+...
Cardamine glauca ..........................................33431111444
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
alion siculi e Rumici-Astra
g
aletalia siculi
Rumex aetnensis 2233343343334323322121+1+1121343244221332322233333223
Senecio aetnensis + 1211+11+11. +1++11232+++.1 +1112+++12+.........1111. . .
Robertia taraxacoides (diff.) . + . 1 1 1 + + 1 + 1111+++....3433221311+++11++...............
Viola aethnensis + . . + . . + . . + . . ..................+...+..+...............
Bellardiochloa aetnensis ..........................................11+1....222
Astragalus siculus ....................................++...............
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Saponaria sicula ....++...+++.................++....233.....122.......
Cerastium tomentosum . + . . + . . + . + . . + . . + .............+..+..3.................
Rumex multifidus ......................................3112...........
Silene sicula ......................................1+..221+.+.....
Galium aetnicum .............+.....................1.................
Other species
Festuca circummediterranea . + . . + . . + + . . . ....+..++..............2++1+.21121. + . +222
Potentilla calabra ..........................................2112....2.2
Bromus tectorum ......................................33++...........
Anthemis sphacelata ......................................++++...........
Scleranthus aetnensis ......................................1+.1...........
Secale strictum .......................................1+............
Trifolium semipurpureum ...................................2.................
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-4, La Montagnola, 31-7-1993
Rel. 5-10, La Montagnola, 1-8-1995
Rel. 11-14, Piano del Lago, 1-8-1995
Rel. 15-17, La Cisternazza, 1-8-1995
Rel. 18-21, Piano delle Concazze, 1-8-1995
Rel. 22-29, Punta Lucia, 1-8-1995
Rel. 30-35, Torre del Filosofo, next to the old cableway, 1-8-1995
Rel. 36, Valle del Bove, 21-7-1980
Rel. 37, 38, Crateri Silvestri, 27-6-1994
Rel. 39-42, Rifugio Citelli, 3-6-1995
Rel. 43-53, Grotta del Gelo, 25-7-1999
130
TABLE 3- Festuco circummediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis Frei 1940 corr.
Relevé 123456789101112131415161718
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 230 230 230 170 170 170 170 170 170 170 170 170 170 170 170 170 170 170
Cover (%) 30 30 30 30 20 20 30 30 20 10 10 70 50 50 100 100 100 100
Plot size (sq. m) 50 50 50 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 70 80 80 80 80 90 90
Char. association
Bellardiochloa aetnensis 343544345444433333
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
alion siculi e Rumici-Astra
g
aletalia siculi
Astragalus siculus . 12233223233233313
Robertia taraxacoides (diff.) + 1 + 12111+. . 1 ......
Anthemis aetnensis . . . 231212222 ......
Viola aethnensis + + + .........++1+11
Erysimum etnense ............111112
Rumex aetnensis ............+++.+.
Senecio aetnensis ............+..1+.
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Cerastium tomentosum 1 1 + 223223222233313
Silene sicula 1 1 1 + 1 1 1 + 1 + + 1221211
Galium aetnicum . + + 212212121122221
Berberis aetnensis + + ..........++1+11
Herniaria microcarpa ............1++1++
Phleum ambiguum (diff.) ............122211
Acinos aetnensis ............1++1+.
Centaurea parlatoris ............1+++.+
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp.gasparrinii ............211221
Carlina nebrodensis ..............++++
Tragopogon nebrodensis ...............+++
Saponaria sicula + + ................
Transgr. Pino-Juniperetea
Juniperus hemisphaerica ............+.++2+
Other species
Festuca circummediterranea 323332332222222222
Jasione echinata . . . 121121211111 . +1
Sedum tenuifolium . . . + . + + . . + . + 1 +++++
Secale strictum . . . 122121212 ......
Achillea ligustica ...1+...1+1+.....+
Potentilla calabra ............21+.21
Linaria purpurea ............+11..1
Trifolium pratense ssp. semipurpureum .............++...
Genista aetnensis .............+...+
Centranthus ruber ................+.
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-3, Timpa degli Albanelli 1-8-1995
Rel. 4-12, Schiena dell'Asino, 12-7-1995
Rel. 13-18, Serra La Nave, 11-6-1994
131
TABLE 4- Festuco circummediterraneae-Populetum tremulae Brullo & Siracusa ass. nov.
TABLE 5- Cerastio tomentosi-Hieracietum pallidi Brullo & Siracusa ass. nov.
Relevé 1234567891011121314151617
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 200 2 00 2 0 0 1 9 0 1 9 0 1 80 180 18 0 1 90 190 18 0 1 60 16 0 1 60 160 16 0 1 60
Plot size (sq. m) 1 0 10 1 0 1 0 10 1 0 10 1 0 10 1 0 1 0 10 1 0 10 1 0 10 1 0
Cover (%) 40 4 0 40 4 0 4 0 40 4 0 40 4 0 4 0 5 0 50 5 0 40 5 0 5 0 50
Slope (°)7070707090909090907070808090807080
ExposureNNNNNNNENENENENENNNNNN
Char. association
Hieracium pallidum 1 1 111222122223434
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
alion siculi e Rumici-Astra
g
aletalia siculi
Anthemis aetnensis 12121122112221+12
Robertia taraxacoides (diff.) + 1 1 + 1 1 + +++1 . . +++1
Bellardiochloa aetnensis . . . . . . . . . 11221323
Rumex aetnensis + 1 1 1 .....12......
Senecio aetnensis . . 1 + 1 ....+.......
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Cerastium tomentosum 2 2 122222211111212
Galium aetnicum 2 1 1 2 1 + + 1 + 11121221
Silene sicula . . . + 1 + . 1 + + 1223212
Saponaria sicula 11211....11......
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp.gasparrinii . . . . .......121121
Rumex multifidus . . . . . . 1 ..........
Other species
Festuca circummediterranea 3 3 121122212232122
Trifolium pratense ssp. semipurpureum 1111+1+++........
Jasione echinata . . . . ......+212121
Asplenium septentrionale . . . . .......+11+11
Achillea ligustica . . . + 1 ....+1......
Festuca rubra . . . . .........+1+1
Luzula sicula . . . . ......+2.....
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-11, Valle del Bove, 21-7-1980
Rel. 12-17, Valle del Bove, 12-7-1995
Relevé 1234567891011
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 230
Cover (%) 50 50 70 70 60 50 80 80 70 70 65
Plot size (sq. m) 10 100 80 100 90 100 100 90 100 100 50
Char. association
Populus tremula fo. nana 55455455453
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
alion siculi e Rumici-Astra
g
aletalia siculi
Astragalus siculus 1122111111+
Bellardiochloa aetnensis 1221112112 .
Viola aethnensis ++++++++++ .
Robertia taraxacoides (diff.) 1 + + 1 + 1 + . + 1 1
Tanacetum siculum .....+.+++.
Rumex aetnensis ..........1
Senecio aetnensis ..........+
Anthemis aetnensis ..........+
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Galium aetnicum 1 + + 1 + 1 ++++2
Silene sicula + . + + 1 +++++ .
Other species
Festuca circumediterranea 211111111+2
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-10, Piano degli Albanelli, 1-8-1995
Rel. 11, after Poli 1965 rel. pg. 161
132
TABLE 6- Lino punctati-Seslerietum siculae Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980 corr.
Relevé 1234
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 13 7 1 3 7 1 31 15 9
Plot size (sq. m) 5 0 5 0 2 0 2 0
Cover (%) 6 0 6 0 9 0 1 00
Slope (°)30 50 60 45
Exposure NW NW NW NW
Char. association
Onosma canescens 3 1 1 +
Laserpitium siculum . 1 1 5
Teucrium montanum + . + .
Linum punctatum 1 . . .
Helianthemum canum ssp. nebrodense + . . .
Char. Cerastio-Astragalion nebrodensis
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula 3222
Astragalus nebrodensis + 3 4 1
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) 1111
Inula montana (diff.) + . + +
Alyssum nebrodense 1 + + .
Sideritis sicula 2 1 1 .
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca 1 . 1 1
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) 1 2 + .
Char. Erysimo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Asperula scabra var. incana 2 1 2 +
Koeleria splendens ssp. splendens 1 2 1 +
Galium venustum + + 1 +
Dianthus arrostii + 1 2 .
Jurinea bocconei + + . +
Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.) . 2 1 .
Minuartia verna ssp. grandiflora + . . .
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) + . . .
Dianthus siculus . . . +
Trisetum splendens (diff.) . . . +
Char. Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
Centaurea parlatoris ++++
Cerastium tomentosum + 1 2 1
Silene sicula 1 + + 1
Bunium petraeum ++++
Carlina nebrodensis + + + .
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii + . . +
Arabis rosea + + . .
Valeriana tuberosa (diff.) . + + .
Phleum ambiguum (diff.) . . . 2
Hieracium macranthum 1 . . .
Saponaria sicula 2 . . .
Other species
Festuca circummediterranea 1112
Sedum album ++++
Micromeria juliana 1 1 2 .
Hypochoeris laevigata . + + .
Anthemis cupaniana . + 1 .
Allium arvense . + . +
Odontites bocconei + . + .
Matthiola fruticulosa . + + .
Poa bulbosa + + . .
Helianthemum nummularium ssp. tomentosum . . + +
Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. maura . . . +
Aethionema saxatile . + . .
Silene vulgaris . . . +
Orchis brancifortii + . . .
Aceras anthropophorum . . . +
Orobanche sp. . . . +
Opopanax chironium + . . .
Crepis leontodontoides + . . .
Allium flavum . + . .
Teucrium flavum . + . .
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-3, Madonie, Mt. Quacella, 10-07-1999
Rel. 4, Madonie , Mt. Mufara, 13-07-2001
133
TABLE 7- Carduncello-Thymetum spinulosi Brullo & Marcenò in Brullo 1984.
Relevé 1234567
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 12 5 1 30 1 33 13 0 150 14 0 127
Plot size (sq. m) 2 0 30 10 20 40 30 1 00
Cover (%) 9 0 8 09090100 100 80
Slope (°)30 30 40 40 10 20 15
Exposure EEEEEEW
Char. association
Thymus spinulosus 4433433
Scorzonera villosiformis 1 + 21111
Carduncellus pinnatus 2 2 + 1 . . 1
Teucrium chamaedrys + + . + + + .
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) 3223232
Inula montana (diff.) + + 1111+
Helianthemum cinereum (diff.) . . 1 1 . . 1
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula ....12+
Astragalus nebrodensis ......+
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) ......1
Alyssum nebrodense ......+
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca ......2
Char. Er
y
simo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Dianthus arrostii + + 1 + + 1 +
Erysimum bonannianum +++++1 .
Asperula scabra var. incana + + . . + + 1
Koeleria splendens spp. splendens . . 2 2 . 1 1
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis + + + 1 . . .
Helianthemum croceum (diff.) . . 2 2 . + .
Allium cupani . . + + . .
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) . + . + . . .
Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.) .....++
Jurinea bocconei ......1
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Cerastium tomentosum 1 1 1 + + + .
Silene sicula 1 + 1 + . . +
Centaurea parlatoris . . 1 1 + 1 2
Arabis rosea + + . + . . .
Valeriana tuberosa (diff.) . . 1 1 + + .
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii ....++.
Carlina nebrodensis ......+
Bunium petraeum ......+
Hieracium macranthum ......+
Other species
Festuca circummediterranea 212211+
Dactylis glomerata 2 1 + + + 1 +
Sedum album + + 1 1 + + +
Iris pseudopumila 1 1 + 1 1 1
Poa bulbosa + + 1 + + +
Hypochoeris laevigata 1 1 ++++.
Cerastium semidecandrum 1 + 3 2 + + .
Aegylops geniculata 1 1 1 + 1 + .
Avena barbata 1 + 1 1 . +
Galium lucidum 2 1 + + . +
Asphodeline lutea 1 + + + . + .
Crupina crupinastrum + + 1 1 . + .
Alyssum minus 2222 . .
Filago pyramidata . . 1 1 + +
Trigonella gladiata + + 1 + . .
Hypochoeris neapolitana ++++. .
Medicago lupulina ++++ . .
Eryngium campestre . . + . + + 2
Hornungia petraea + + 1 + . . .
Lolium perenne . + + + . + .
Ranunculus millefoliatus + + 1 + . . .
Elaeoselinum asclepium . . 1 + + 1 .
Helictotrichon convolutum . + 1 1 . 1 .
Crepis bivoniana 1111 . . .
Trifolium scabrum 1 + 1 + . . .
Bonannia graeca + + . + . .
Ornithogalum gussonei + + . + . .
Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. maura 1 . + + . . .
Hyoseris radiata . + + + . . .
Bellis perennis . + + + . . .
Rumex bucephalophorus . . 2 1 . .
Dasypirum villosum . . 1 1 . .
Lactuga viminea ....11
Leontodon tuberosus . . 1 + . .
Pallenis spinosa + + ....
Carex serrulata . . + + . .
Orchis papilionacea . . + + . .
Sedum tenuifolium . . + + . .
Salvia argentea . . + + . .
Allium sadoum ....++
Crucianella angustifolia ....++
Erodium acaule + + .....
Orchis branciforti . . + . . . +
Medicago orbicularis + .....
Asphodelus ramosus ssp. ramosus ......2
Anthemis cupaniana .....+.
Allium arvense ......+
Aethionema saxatile ......+
Aceras anthropophorum ......+
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-6, Sicani, Mt. Cammarata, 8-8-1993
Rel. 7, Madonie, Mt. Quacella, 10-07-1999
134
TABLE 8- Astragaletum nebrodensis Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980.
Relevé 1 2 3 4
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 1 3 6 1 38 15 9 1 5 9
Plot size (sq. m) 5 0 5 0 1 0 0 5 0
Cover (%) 9 0 8 0 7 0 9 0
Slope (°)25 10 40 45
Exposure SW N NW NW
Char. association
Astragalus nebrodensis 4 4 3 3
Dianthus siculus 1 1 1 1
Char. Cerastio-Astragalion nebrodensis
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) 2 2 2 1
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula . 1 2 2
Helianthemum cinereum (diff.) . 1 + 1
Alyssum nebrodense . + 1 1
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca . 1 1 +
Cachrys ferulacea (diff.) + 1 + .
Inula montana (diff.) + + . .
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) + + . .
Linum punctatum . + . .
Char. Erysimo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Koeleria splendens ssp. splendens 2 1 2 2
Galium venustum + 1 1 1
Bunium petraeum + + + +
Asperula scabra var. incana 1 + 1 1
Trisetum splendens (diff.) + + . +
Jurinea bocconei + + + .
Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.) . . 2 2
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) . . + .
Erysimum bonannianum . . . +
Char. Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
Phleum ambiguum (diff.) 2 2 1 2
Hieracium macranthum + 1 + +
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii + + + +
Centaurea parlatoris 1 2 2 1
Arabis rosea + + + +
Carlina nebrodensis + + + +
Silene sicula . 1 2 2
Cerastium tomentosum . 1 2 2
Tragopogon nebrodensis + . . .
Other species
Festuca circummediterranea 1 + 1 2
Hypochoeris laevigata . + + +
Sedum album . + + +
Dactylis glomerata 2 1 + .
Allium arvense . + + +
Teucrium chamaedrys 1 + + .
Helianthemum nummularium ssp. tomentosum . 1 + +
Orobanche sp. + + + .
Pimpinella anisoides 1 1 2 .
Anthemis cupaniana . . 1 1
Eryngium campestre + + . .
Aethionema saxatile . + + .
Thymus spinulosus 1 1 . .
Bonannia graeca + + . .
Brachypodium rupestre 1 + . .
Carduus macrocephalus . . + +
Carex serrulata + + . .
Scabiosa maritima + + . .
Secale strictum 1 + . .
Asphodeline lutea . + . .
Convolvulus cantabrica + . . .
Daucus carota + . . .
Matthiola fruticulosa . . . +
Spot and date of relevés
Rel.1-2, Madonie, Mt. Quacella, 13-07-2001
Rel.3-4, Madonie, Mt. Mufara, 13-07-2001
135
TABLE 9- Cachryetum ferulaceae Raimondo 1980.
Relevé 12345678910111213141516
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 160 167 16 2 16 0 18 3 183 1 65 17 0 16 0 16 0 190 1 62 15 8 17 5 18 0 185
Plot size (sq. m) 50 15 0 15 0 1 00 5 0 1 00 5 0 5 0 30 3 0 5 0 40 5 0 6 0 15 0 5 0
Cover (%) 9 0 90 8 590958070507070407070607590
Slope (°)-101010 5 5 - 5 101010 - 25102010
Exposure -NEENWWW-SENENEW- EWSSE
Char. association
Cachrys ferulacea 5555543222223234
Astragalus depressus var. leucophaeus 1 + + . + 1 . . + + + 1 . + + .
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) . 1 1 1 . + 1 1 . . + . + + 1 1
Astragalus nebrodensis + + . . . + ....212211
Inula montana (diff.) ....+.1+..++.+++
Helianthemum cinereum (diff.) . . . 1 ....+.+.1+++
Alyssum nebrodense ......+.++.+.1+.
Knautia calycina ...........++1+.
Sideritis sicula .....+..+.2....3
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula ............11..
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca ..............+.
Viola nebrodensis .............+..
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) ...............1
Char. Er
y
simo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Erysimum bonannianum ++++ . ++1 1+ . 1+111
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) . + + + 2 1 . + + + 1 + 1 1 . +
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis ++++ . + .++ . +11+ . +
Valeriana tuberosa (diff.) + ....+1.+.+++1++
Galium venustum + + . + . + 2 1 . . . + 1 + . +
Dianthus arrostii . . . + . . . + . . . + 1 + . .
Trisetum splendens (diff.) ...........31...
Jurinea bocconei .............1.+
Helianthemum croceum (diff.) ..............+.
Asperula scabra var. incana ..............+.
Allium cupani ...............+
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Cerastium tomentosum . . + + 1 + 1222+1+312
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii . 1 1 1 . 1 ++++1+ 1++2
Centaurea parlatoris 1 + 1 1 . 1 1 + . . + 2 1 + + 1
Phleum ambiguum (diff.)1....11221221113
Silene sicula + + . 1 . . + + . . 1 1 1 + + 2
Bunium petraeum . . + . + 1 + + ....++++
Arabis rosea . + . + . . . + . . . + + + . +
Carlina nebrodensis ........++..+++.
Tragopogon nebrodensis ......++....+.+.
Hieracium macranthum ..............+.
Trans
g
r. Pino-Juni
p
eretea
Rosa sicula ...........1+.+.
Other species
Bromus tectorum ++++11++ . 1+1+++ .
Festuca circummediterranea 2 + + 2 . . 2 + 2 . 212212
Alyssum siculum + 1 1 1 + 1 + + + 1 1 . + . . .
Dactylis glomerata . + + + 1 2 + . . + 1211 . 1
Sedum tenuifolium + 1 + 1 . . + + . . + + 1 + + .
Cynosurus echinatus +++++ .++ . .+++ . . .
Arenaria serpyllifolia + + . + + 1 + . . + + . + + . .
Lolium perenne + + + . ++++11 . . .+ . .
Crepis vesicaria + . + + + . + . ++++ . + . .
Bromus mollis . . . + + + 1 + + 1 + + ....
Sinapis pubescens . +++++ . + .+ . + . + . .
Trifolium stellatum + . . + . + + . + 2 . + . + + .
Evacidium discolor . + + + . + . . 1 . + + 1 . + .
Asphodeline lutea . 1 1 + . . + 1 . . + 1 + . . .
Poa bulbosa + + . + . 1 + + + . . . + . . 1
Medicago lupulina . 1 + + . 1 . . + + . + . . 1 1
Xeranthemum inapertum . + . + . ++++ .....++
Anthemis sphacelata + . + + 1 1 + . . . + .....
Geranium rotundifolium + . + + + . + + . + ......
Veronica arvensis + + . + . + + .....++..
Hypochoeris hispida + + + . . . 1 + . . . + ....
Silene vulgaris ssp. angustifolia . . + ....+++.1+...
Vicia sativa + . . + . . ++++ ......
Silene conica ....+++.+...+.+.
Oglifa arvensis . . + + + . . + . . 2 . . . + .
Scandix pecten-veneris . + . + . . + + . . + . . . + .
Ornithogalum montanum + + + . . . + . . + ....+.
Hyoseris radiata . . + . . . + 1 + + ......
Stachys germanica ssp. dasyanthes .......1+++...++
Cerastium semidecandrum + . . + . . . + . . + . + . . .
Ranunculus millefoliatus + . + . . . + + ......+.
Lactuca viminea ....+.++......+1
Arrhenatherum nebrodense .......+++.1....
Bellis perennis . . + + . . . + . . + .....
Buglossoides arvensis . + . . + + ....+.....
Trifolium bivonae . + + + . . + .........
Trifolium campestre + .....++...+....
Trifolium phleoides + . . . + + + .........
Aethionema saxatile . . + . . . + + . . + .....
Linaria simplex . + . . . + ....+...+.
Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. maura .......+....+.+1
Melica cupanii ........+..1.+..
Thlaspi perfoliatum . + + + ............
Achillea ligustica ........22..+...
Cerastium glomeratum . . + . . . + . + .......
Trifolium strictum + .......+1......
Lamium amplexicaule . + + . . + ..........
Thlaspi rivale . + ....+.......1.
Galium verticillatum .....+.+.....+..
Erophila verna . . . + + + ..........
Carduus nutans .....+..+.....+.
Legousia speculum-veneris ......++......+.
Euphorbia rigida ........22......
Micromeria juliana .........+....++
Crepis leontodontoides + .....+.........
Linaria purpurea ..........+....+
Tolpis virgata .....+.+........
Spot and date of relevés
Rel.1-14 after Brullo 1984 - tab.15, rel.1-13, 15
Rel.15 after Raimondo 1980 - tab. 5, rel. 1
Rel.16 Madonie, Pizzo Carbonara, 24-7-2002
136
TABLE 10 - Sideritido siculae-Artemisietum albae (Raimondo 1980) Brullo & Giusso stat. nov.
a) artemisietosum albae (Raimondo 1980) Brullo & Giusso comb. nova;
b) vicietosum glaucae (Raimondo 1980) Brullo & Giusso comb. nova.
Relevé 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 170 1 72 17 3 175 175 175 175 176 182 160 163 170 161 158 165 155 157 156 125 167 161 154 158 164 167 181 169 165 180 178 185 178 178
Plot size (sq. m) 5 0 1 00 10 0 10 0 1 00 10 0 10 0 1 00 10 0 1 00 1 00 50 5 0 1 00 50 1 00 100 2 0 100 1 00 10 0 1 00 1 00 10 0 2 00 50 1 00 1 00 10 0 5 0 100 5 0 50
Cover (%) 90 90 90 909080708080606040604555706040405060605050655050506040402060
Slope (°)35 35 25 25 25 40 40 45 35 20 20 20 10 20 10 20 20 20 10 15 10 20 5 10 30 25 10 20 15 20 - 40 30
Exposure SW SW SW WWWWWSWNWNWSWSWNWWNWNWNWWSEWWSWWSWSNWSEWSW- WE
Subassociation aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabbbbbbbb
Char. association
Artemisia alba 3334332212312++322231+212+1+.. . + .
Verbascum siculum .........+.+..++...+..+.+.++.....
Sternbergia exscapa . + . + + . . . + ........................
Vicia glauca .........++.+.++.+.......21111222
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Sideritis sicula 2233242322211122221. 1+11++1. 11112
Astragalus nebrodensis 223111222+1111.+ 1 . 1+11211+11111. +
Cachrys ferulacea (diff.) + + 1 + + 1 1 + 1 + 1 + . + + 2 . . 1 . 22121111321+.
Alyssum nebrodense + 11211111+++.. + . ++1211+1+11 .+ 11 . .
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) 1 1 + + 1 + + + 1 1 + . + + 1 1 1 . + . . + 1 1 + + 1 + + . 1 . +
Inula montana (diff.) 121211111.........+.+++1.++++.+.+
Helianthemum cinereum (diff.) .........11111+11. 1++11++. 1+11 . . .
Knautia calycina ....2+422++11.+.+...+12...+.+.+.1
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) 2 + 1121121 . .+. . ........+++.......+
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula .......12...+.....1..+.+++..+.++.
Viola nebrodensis .......++...+1.......++..+...1112
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca .......+.................+.......
Car. Er
y
simo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis + . + + . ++++. ++++++++1++1++++++ 11+ .+
Erysimum bonannianum +++++++++11 .+ . 1+111+1+ 1 .++++ 1+ . .+
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) . + . + . + . + + + 1 + + + 1 1 + . 1 . + + 1 + . . 1 3 + . + + .
Galium venustum 1 + 1 2 ++++1++. . . + . 1 . + . + 1 . 1 . .++++ 1 . 1
Asperula scabra var. incana +++++++++1 . + . . 1++ . + .+ . +++ .+ ......
Dianthus arrostii (diff.) ...........1...+..+..11+..+..++..
Koeleria splendens ssp. splendens 1 +++++ . + .........................
Jurinea bocconei . . + . . + . + ..............++......+..
Allium cupanii . . + . . + + + .........................
Minuartia verna ssp. grandiflora ......++........................1
Helianthemum croceum (diff.) ........................1+.......
Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.) ........................+........
Hieracium macranthum ........................+........
.
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi .
Cerastium tomentosum 21111111222222132+2. 21121223222+2
Phleum ambiguum (diff.) 222223112222212322+. +1++1+2+1. +12
Silene sicula 112111111++ . + .++++1 .1++1+ . 1++. .+ 1
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii 1 1 1 + 1 1 + + + 1 1 + 1 . . 1 + + 1 + + + . + + . + 1 + + . . .
Centaurea parlatoris 2111+111 .+ . . . .+ . .+1 .++. . ++.++ . . .+
Carlina nebrodensis + + + . . + + . + + . + + . . + . . . . + . + . + . . . . + . . .
Bunium petraeum + + 1 ++++++++..........+.+......+..
Valeriana tuberosa (diff.) . + + . +++++..........+.....++..++..
Arabis rosea ++++++ . . + ................+...+..+
Tragopogon nebrodensis .....+++.........+.....+......+..
Trans
g
r. Pino-Juni
p
eretea
Rosa sicula 1 . + . . + ......1++1..+..12.1+..11..+
Berberis aetnensis ............+.+......1....++.....
Other species
Festuca circummediterranea 33333222333221232+1122131+22121 . 1
Dactylis glomerata 2211++++1+1++. . 11 . + .+ 1+1+++++ .+++
Sedum tenuifolium + + 1 + + + . + . + . . . . . + . . + + 1 1 + . + . . + + ....
Lactuca viminea + + . +++++. 11 ....11.....1.+..+.+.1.
Sedum album ++++++. + .+++ . . ......++..+.++.....
Arrhenatherum nebrodense + + . + + . + + . + . . . + . + + 1 . . . + .......++2+
Galium verticillatum .........+++.11++.+.+++...1++.+..
Crepis vesicaria + + + . . + . + . . + + . . .....+.++....++.+..
Poa bulbosa 1 1 + 1 ++++ ..........+...+...+2+....
Medicago lupulina .........11+..1++.+.++..+..1.+...
Asphodeline lutea ++++ . + ........++........1+++..+..
Helianthemum nummularium ssp. tomentosum 212121112...............++......1
Linaria simplex .........+....+.+.++.++..++++....
Alyssum siculum .........++....++..++.++...1++...
Achillea ligustica + ....+.+.+..2++.........+..+..+1.
Hyoseris radiata ......++.+..+..+.....++..+.+.+..+
Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. maura . . 1 + 1 + 1 1 1 ..........+....+....+..+
Silene conica ...........+..+++..++..++.+...+..
Cerastium semidecandrum .........+++...+...+..+++.+.+....
Oglifa arvensis ............+...+.++.++.+..+.++..
Teucrium chamaedrys . . . + . + + .......+11...+...+.+.....2
Cynosurus echinatus ...............++.+...+++..+++...
Silene vulgaris + + + . . + .........+.......++.++.....
Evacidium discolor ..........++..+.....++.+....++...
Arenaria serpyllifolia ...........+.+.+...+.+.1..+...+..
Bromus mollis ...............++.....++...+.++..
Allium arvense ..++.++++ ..........+.............
Micromeria juliana .........+....+.++....+.1.......1
Anthemis cupaniana . . . + . + . 1 ....+........+....+.....+
Astragalus depressus var. leucophaeus ..............++......++...+..+..
Leontodon cichoriaceus ...........++++.......+...+......
Geranium molle .........++.+..++....+...........
Sinapis pubescens .........+.....+..11.+.....+.....
Carduus nutans ............+..++.+...++.........
Rumex bucephalophorus .........+.....+..++..+.+........
Allium arvense ...............1.....+..++++.....
Scandix pecten-veneris .........+...+..........+.++.....
Xeranthemum inapertum .........+............+.+.++.....
Bromus tectorum .........+..............++...++..
Melica cupanii .............+..+.....+....+....+
Crepis leontodontoides .........+......+.....+...+......
Cuscuta sp. .........+..+...+.....+..........
Bellis perennis ..............++...+..+..........
Aegylops geniculata ................+.++...+.........
Senecio candidus ..............+++......+.........
Trifolium stellatum ...............+...+....+...+....
Anthemis gemellari ...................+....+..+..+..
Stachys germanica .....+......+...........+..+.....
Matthiola fruticulosa + + . + . . . + .........................
Thlaspi rivale ........................1+....+..
Euphorbia rigida ...............+...1....+........
Vicia sativa ............+.....+.........+....
Trifolium campestre ...............+...+..........+..
Dasypirum villosum ...............+.........+.1.....
Linaria purpurea ..............+..............+.1.
Melica ciliata + ....1...................+.......
Rumex nebroides .....+...................+.....+.
Allium flavum ......+++.......................+
Bonnania graeca ........................++.......
Melica magnolii ............+.+..................
Geranium rotundifolium ..............+....+.............
Ornithogalum montanum ..............+.........+........
Buglossoides arvensis ..........................++.....
Veronica arvensis ........................+.+......
Orobanche sp. ................+..........+.....
Legousia speculum-veneris ................+.......+........
Lamium amplexicaule ............+...............+....
Trifolium strictum ...........................+..+..
Hypochoeris achyrophorus ...........+...+.................
Origanum vulgare ...............+........+........
Erophila verna ssp. spathulata ........................++.......
Draba olympicoides ........................++.......
Scutellaria rubiconda ssp. linneana .........................+.....+.
Himantoglossum hircinum . + . + .............................
Pimpinella anisoides + . . . + ............................
Plantago lanceolata . . + + .............................
Trifolium sp. . + . + .............................
Hypochoeris hispida ..................+...........+..
Aethionema saxatile ..................+.............+
Spot and date of relevés
Rel.1-9 Madonie, Pizzo Carbonara, 14-07-2001
Rel.10-24 after Brullo 1984 - tab.14, rel.1-5, 7-10, 12-17
Rel.25-26 after Raimondo 1980 - tab.5, rel.2-3
Rel.27-28 after Brullo 1984 - tab.14, rel.6,11
Rel.29-31 after Brullo 1984 - tab.15, rel.14,16,17
Rel.32 Madonie, Pizzo Carbonara, 14-07-2001
Rel. 33, Madonie, Pizzo Carbonara, 24-7-2002
137
TABLE 11 - Seslerio siculae-Melicetum cupanii Brullo & Giusso ass. nova.
Relevé 1234567
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 1 9 5 1 9 5 1 9 2 1 92 19 0 1 85 18 5
Plot size (sq. m) 5 0 5 0 10 0 1 0 0 5 0 5 0 40
Cover (%) 7 0 70 7 0 80 7 0 70 8 0
Slope (°)0035105300
Exposure --ESWSWSE-
Char. association
Melica cupanii 2332222
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula 3223222
Sideritis sicula 2133333
Astragalus nebrodensis 3321113
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) 11111++
Cachrys ferulacea (diff.) 1 1 1 + + 1 +
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) 1 1 1 + 1 1 1
Alyssum nebrodense 1 2 1 + + . 2
Helianthemum canum ssp. nebrodense 1 1 + + + . +
Viola nebrodensis +++++ . .
Inula montana (diff.) . . 1 ++++
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca + + . + + . .
Helianthemum cinereum (diff.) .....1+
Char. Er
y
simo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis ++++11+
Galium venustum 22222++
Minuartia verna ssp. grandiflora 1 ++++. +
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) . . +++++
Erysimum bonannianum . . + + . + +
Asperula scabra var. incana 1 . . + + . .
Allium cupani .....++
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Centaurea parlatoris + 1 + + + 1 +
Cerastium tomentosum 2221211
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii +++++2+
Silene sicula 11111++
Bunium petraeum +++++++
Valeriana tuberosa (diff.) +++++++
Arabis rosea ++++ .++
Carlina nebrodensis . . + . + . .
Phleum ambiguum (diff.) .....1+
Other species
Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. busambarensis 1 + 1 1 1 + +
Dactylis glomerata ++++1 ++
Festuca circummediterranea 1222221
Helianthemum nummularium ssp. tomentosum 211221+
Sedum album + + + . + 1 +
Lactuca viminea . . + + + 1 +
Crepis vesicaria +++++. .
Allium arvense +++++ . .
Medicago lupulina . . + + + 2 +
Verbascum rotundifolium . . 1 . + + +
Allium flavum + + . . + . .
Poa bivonae + . . + + . .
Teucrium chamaedrys ....+++
Petrorhagia illyrica ssp. hainaldiana . . . + . 2 +
Anthemis cupaniana + + . . . . .
Hypochoeris laevigata . . + + . . .
Linaria purpurea + . . . . . +
Sedum tenuifolium .....++
Trifolium pratense ssp. semipurpureum .....++
Xeranthemum inapertum .....++
Micromeria juliana .....11
Asphodeline lutea . . . + . . .
Matthiola fruticulosa . . + . . . .
Musacri atlanticum + . . . . . .
Scutellaria rubicunda . . + . . . .
Senecio siculus . . + . . . .
Berberis aethnensis .....1.
Poa bulbosa .....+.
Spot and date of relevés
Rel.1-5 Madonie, Pizzo Carbonara, 14-07-2001
Rel. 6-7 Madonie, Pizzo Carbonara, 24-7-2002
138
TABLE 12 - Peucedanetum nebrodensis Brullo & Giusso ass. nova.
Relevé 1 2 3 456789
Altitude
(
dam a.s.l.
)
189 189 187 187 187 186 185 186 185
Plot size
(
s
q
. m
)
10 10 20 10 50 50 50 50 50
Cover
(
%
)
70 100 80 90 80908080100
Slo
p
e
(
°
)
000020201525 0
Ex
p
osure ----NWNWNWNW-
Char. association
Peucedanum nebrodense 353344434
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Cachr
y
s ferulacea
(
diff.
)
212122222
Eu
p
horbia m
y
rsinites
(
diff.
)
+1111122+
Astra
g
alus nebrodensis . . + . 1 . 1 + .
Helianthemum cinereum
(
diff.
)
...+++.+.
Char. Er
y
simo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Allium cu
p
ani +++ . ++++ .
Er
y
simum bonannianum + . + + 1 1 1 1 .
Galium venustum . + 1 + 1 1 + + .
Pol
y
car
p
on
p
ol
y
car
p
oides
(
diff.
)
..++1+++ .
Acinos al
p
inus var. nebrodensis .....++++
Minuartia verna ss
p
.
g
randiflora + + . . + . . + .
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Bunium
p
etraeum 2 1 2 21221+
Petrorrha
g
ia saxifra
g
a ss
p
.
g
as
p
arrini 21121121+
Centaurea
p
arlatoris 1 + 2221211
Cerastium tomentosum 1 1 1 + 1 1 2 2 +
Herniaria microcar
p
a+ 1++++. + .
Valeriana tuberosa
(
diff.
)
..++++ . + .
Tra
g
o
p
o
g
on nebrodense . . + . + ....
Arabis rosea ......++.
Silene sicula ......++.
Other s
p
ecies
Festuca circumediterranea 3 2 3 333442
Dact
y
lis
g
lomerata 2 1 1 21121+
H
yp
ocheris his
p
ida 1 2 1 ++221+
Cre
p
is vesicaria 1 + 1 ++++++
Trifolium
p
ratense ss
p
.semi
p
ur
p
ureum 1 1 + 122121
Sedum his
p
anicum + 1 + + 1 + + 1 +
Trifolium re
p
ens .+1222211
Malva moscata . . + + 1 1 + + 1
Aethionema saxatile + . . +++++ .
Medica
g
o lu
p
ulina 1 1 . . . + 1 + +
Anth
y
llis vulneraria ss
p
. maura..++++++ .
Anthemis s
p
hacelata + + . + + . . + .
Rumex nebrodes . . + + . . + 1 +
Astra
g
alus de
p
ressus var. leuco
p
haeus + + . . . + . . .
Cerinthe auriculata + .......+
Galium verum .......+3
Petrorrha
g
ia illirica ss
p
. hainaldiana .......1+
H
yp
ocheris laevi
g
ata .......+.
Cheno
p
odium bonus-hericus ........1
Lolium
p
erenne ........2
S
p
ot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-9, Madonie, Pizzo Carbonara
(
Fosse Gandolofo
)
, 24-7-2002.
139
TABLE 13 - Seslerio siculae-Helictotrichetum convoluti Brullo & Cormaci ass. nov.
Relevé 123456789101112131415
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 137 151 148 145 144 144 154 132 137 134 150 150 130 136 130
Plot size (sq. m) 50 50 100 100 50 100 100 100 100 100 50 50 50 50 50
Cover (%) 100 100 100 90 90 100 100 100 90 90 90 90 80 80 9 0
Slope (°)303035403025403535204515202045
Exposure N N N E SE E W SW W N N NE N N E N
Char. association
Helictotrichon convolutum 5 5 4 4 4 3 4 5 4432455
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Inula montana (diff.) 212323221211+1 +
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.)3221222132222+.
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula . 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2245322
Cachrys ferulacea (diff.) . . . 1 1 + . 1 1 + 1 . . 1 .
Helianthemum cinereum (diff.) . . . . + 1 1 . 1 1 . . . . .
Char. Er
y
simo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Erysimum bonannianum 1 + 1 1 1 2 1 1
22221+
.
Dianthus arrostii 1 1 2 + 1 2 1 1 1 + 1 1 . + 1
Allium cupani + + + + + . + + + + + . . + +
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis . . + 1 1 . + 1 + 1 1 + + . .
Galium venustum 1 111122122 . . . . .
Asperula scabra var. incana 1 2 + 2 1 1 2 1 1 + . . . . .
Koeleria splendens ssp. splendens . .... ...21.....
Trisetum splendens . . . . . .
+
.
Char. Cl. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Silene sicula 1 + 2 1 + 2 2 1 111111+
Centaurea parlatoris . + 1 1 . 1 1 1 1211+++
Arabis rosea . + 1 + 1 1 . 2 +++++ . .
Petrorrhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrini 1 1 1 1 + 1 1 + 1 1 . . . . .
Valeriana tuberosa (diff.) . + + 1 . + . 1 + . + 1 + . +
Other species
Festuca circummediterranea 2 2 2 2 2 2 + 1 222321+
Poa bulbosa + 1 1 1 + + 1 1 + + + 2 + 2 +
Sedum album 1 1 1111+. +++1+++
Elaeoselinum asclepium ssp. meoides 2 1 2 1 1 + 1 1 1 1 . + + + +
Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. busambarensis 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1111+ . +
Scorzonera villosa . . 1 1 1 + + 1 2 1 1 . 1 1 +
Thymus spinulosus 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 . . . 1 +
Eryngium campestre 1 + + 1 + + . + 1 1 . . . + +
Allium arvense + 1 1 1 + + . . + + . . . + +
Thalictrum calabricum 1 2 1 1 + 1 + + . . 1 . . . 1
Hyoseris radiata 1 1 1 + . + 1 + . . + . + . .
Iris pseudopumila + + 1 . 1 1 . . 1 + . . . + .
Helianthemum nummularium ssp. tomentosum . . 1 + 1 2 1 1 1 + . . . . .
Carex cuspidata 1 + 1 1 1 + + . . + . . . . .
Medicago lupulina 1 1 1 1 + 1 2 1 . . . . . . .
Brachypodium rupestre 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 . . . . . . .
Dactylis hispanica . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 + 1 2 +
Lolium perenne + + + + . 1 . . 1 2 . . . . .
Origanum heracleoticum + 1 1 + . . 1 + . . . . . . .
Picris hieracioides + 1 + . + . + + . . . . . . .
Galium lucidum . . . . . . ....2+11+
Allium sardoum . . . . . . ....1++++
Asphodeline lutea . . . . . . . . + 1 . + 1 . +
Crepis vesicaria . . . . . . . . 1 + + . . + +
Pimpinella anisoides 1 + . . + + . . . + . . . . .
Hypericum perfoliatum + + + + . . . + . . . . . . .
Opopanax chironium . . . . . . .....112+
Bonannia graeca . . . . . . . . 1 + . . . + +
Silene vulgaris + . . 1 1 . . + . . . . . . .
Loroglossum hircinum + . . . . + 1 + . . . . . . .
Anthemis cupaniana . . . . . . ....2
2+
Bellis perennis . . . . . . ....+++..
Ranunculus millefoliatus . . . . . . . . + . . + . + .
Hypochoeris hispida . . + . 1 . +
........
Achillea ligustica..........+...+
Sedum tenuifolium . . . . . . .....+. .+
Ornithogalum montanum . . . . . . ......+.+
Centranthus ruber . . . . . . ......+.+
Papaver rhoeas . . . . . . .......++
Trifolium stellatum . . . . . . .......++
Trifolium campestre . . . . . . .......++
Crupina crupinastrum . . . . . . .......++
Bromus lanceolatus . . . . . . .......++
Petrorrhagia prolifera . . . . . . .......++
Sanguisorba minor ssp. verrucosa . . . + . + .........
Convolvulus cantabrica . . . . . . . . 1 + . . . . .
Reichardia picroides . . . . . . . . + + . . . . .
Sinapis pubescens . . . . . . ....1....
Saxifraga bulbifera . . . . . . .....1...
Trifolium speciosum . . . . . . ....+....
Isatis tinctoria . . . . . . ......+..
Rumex acetosa . . . . . . .......+.
Avena barbata . . . . . . .......+.
Rumex nebroides . . . . . . .......+.
Bromus madritensis . . . . . . .......+.
Asperula laevigata . . . . . . ........+
Leopoldia comosa . . . . . . ........+
Teucrium scordioides . . . . . . . . + . . . . . .
Bellevalia sp. . . . . . . . . + . . . . . .
Silene coeli-rosa . . . . . . . . + . . . . . .
Picris aculeata . . . . . . . . . + . . . . .
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-8, Sicani, Mt. Cammarata, 8-8-1993
Rel. 9-10 Sicani, Monte delle Rose 9-8-1993
Rel. 11-13, Sicani, Mt. Cammarata, 15-5-2001
Rel. 14-15, Sicani, Mt. Cammarata, 17-6-2001
140
TABLE 14 - Festuco rubrae-Seslerietum siculae Brullo & Cormaci ass. nov.
141
TABLE 15 - Helichryso italici-Onosmetum canescentis Brullo & Guarino ass. nova.
Relevé 1234567891011
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 107 108 110 108 107 112 9 8 129 107 106 106
Plot size (sq. m) 20 20 20 20 20 20 40 15 10 20 50
Cover (%) 70 60 75 85 70 70 60 70 80 70 80
Slope (°)5045505060504550103040
Exposure S ESE S SE E E ENE SE E SE SE
Char. association
Helichrysum italicum + 2 2 11231112
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca 3 2 2 2121. 121
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) 2 2 2 2 1 1 . . 1 1 2
Onosma canescens 1 2 3 4 3 2 . . 2 1 4
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) 1 1 + 1 1 . 1 1 . . .
Char. Erysimo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis . + + + + . + + 1 1 1
Dianthus arrostii + . . . + + 1 + 1 + +
Galium venustum 2 2 2 2 2 2 .....
Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.) . . . + 2 3 1 4 . . +
Minuartia verna ssp. grandiflora + 1 + . + + .....
Helianthemum croceum (diff.) . . .....+...
Char. Cl. Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
Cerastium tomentosum 2 1 1 1121 . 321
Centaurea parlatoris + 1 + 1 + + . + + 1 1
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii + + + + 1 . . . + + +
Bunium petraeum + + + . + + . + . . .
Arabis rosea . . ....+++++
Silene sicula . . .....+1++
Galium aetnicum . . .....+332
Other species
Helianthemum canum ssp. canum 2 2 2 2 1 2 + 1222
Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. busambarensis + + + + + + 1 1 2 + +
Dactylis hispanica + 1 1 2 1 + 1 1112
Carlina hispanica ssp. globosa 1 + 1 1 + + + . + + 1
Hyoseris radiata 1 + + + 1 + . 1111
Micromeria graeca ssp. tenuifolia 2 1 2 2122. 111
Origanum heracleoticum . + + 1 + + 2 1 1 + 1
Sinapis pubescens . + + ++++1++1
Reichardia picroides + + + . + + . +++1
Festuca rubra ssp. microphylla 2 1 1 1 1 1 . + . . .
Calicotome infesta . 1 1 1 1 . . . 1 1 2
Plantago lanceolata var. sphaerostachia 1 . + + + . . 1 . . +
Sixalis maritima . + + + . + 1 + . . .
Asphodelus ramosus . . + 1 . . . + + . 2
Festuca circummediterranea . . ....+1322
Pallenis spinosa . . . + . + . + + + .
Thymus longicaulis . + 1 + . + . + . . .
Crupina crupinastrum . . ....+.+++
Teucrium flavum . . ....1+2+.
Urospermum dalechampii . . . + ....+++
Orchis papilionacea ssp. grandiflora . . ......+++
Sedum album . .......+1+
Achillea ligustica . . ....1+...
Allium tenuiflorum . . . + + ......
Brachypodium rupestre . . ....1+...
Dittrichia viscosa . . ....1+...
Hypochoeris laevigata . . ....++...
Medicago lupulina . . ....11...
Ornithogalum gussonei . . ......+.+
Sedum tenuifolium . . ......+.1
Daphne oleoides . . .....+...
Centaurium erythraea ssp. majus . . .....+...
Linaria purpurea . . .....+...
Orchis brancifortii . . ......+..
Silene vulgaris ssp. angustifolia . . .....1...
Thapsia garganica . . ....1....
Allium arvense . .........+
Spot and date of relevés
Rel.1-6: Peloritani, between Punta Seddiri and Mt. Scuderi, 5-7-1997
Rel. 7: Peloritani, Mt. Scuderi, (Next to Punta Lanzaro), 5-7-1997
Rel. 8: Peloritani, Rocca di Novara, 9-11-1997
Rel. 9-11: Peloritani, Monte Scuderi, 26-5-2003
142
TABLE 16 - Plantago humilis_Asperuletum gussonei Brullo & Guarino ass. nova.
Relevé 1234567891011121314151617
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 120 124 125 117 124 125 123 125 112 111 120 120 124 124 125 124 124
Plot size (sq. m) 30 15 20 15 15 20 20 20 30 20 10 50 20 30 20 15 20
Cover (%) 90 95 80 100 90 85 70 100 60 50 70 60 60 50 70 60 90
Slope (°)3530 0000400504040455501010
ExposureNN----NW-NNNNNN- NN
Char. association
Asperula gussonei 332222122232 .+ . . .
Plantago humilis . 2332133 ....43335
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) 2 1 1 . 1 + 11221322111
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca . + + .....322211+1.
Linum punctatum ......21...+21.1.
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) . + + ..............
Onosma canescens .......1.....+...
Cachrys ferulacea (diff.) + ................
Char. Er
y
simo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Galium venustum 211111+1322212221
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis . + + . . 1 + + 2211111+1
Minuartia verna ssp. grandiflora . . + . . . + 11111111++
Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.) . 1 . . 2111 .+13 .....
Dianthus arrostii .........+++..++.
Char.Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
Cerastium tomentosum 23212322233222232
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii + + + 1 +++++++1+++. .
Centaurea parlatoris 1 . + 1 1 . 1 + 1 + 1 + + . 2 1 1
Silene sicula . . + 1 . + + . 1 + + 1 ++++1
Bunium petraeum 1 1 + . ++++ .........
Arabis rosea ........++++.....
Other species
Helianthemum canum ssp. canum 2 2 2 . + + . + 222222221
Thymus longicaulis . + 1 2 1 + 1122+++. . . 1
Festuca circummediterranea ....21.1232322221
Hypochoeris hispida 1 + + .....11+1+++++
Lolium perenne 1 1 1 + + + . + ....++++1
Anthemis arvensis ssp. sphacelata . 1 + 1 1 1 . + ....12311
Hyoseris radiata 1 + ......1211+++++
Hypochoeris laevigata . . . +++++ . ++1 . +++ .
Micromeria graeca ssp. tenuifolia + . 1 . . 1 . ++++1 . +1+ .
Dactylis hispanica 1 1 1 .....+1+++++. .
Plantago lanceolata + + + 1 + + + . . + . + .....
Festuca rubra ssp. microphylla 22221122.........
Allium tenuiflorum + + . +++++ .........
Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. busambarensis .......+21+1...+1
Carlina hispanica ssp. globosa 1 . + . . + . . + . . . + + . . 1
Sedum album ....1+..++++.....
Sinapis pubescens + .......1+++.....
Poa bulbosa ............2221+
Anthoxanthum odoratum 1 . . 2 + ...........1
Trifolium pratense ssp. semipurpureum 1 1 1 .........+....
Sedum tenuifolium ........+1+1.....
Bromus sp. ........1211.....
Sideritis romana ............+++.+
Cynosurus cristatus 1 . . 1 1 ............
Medicago lupulina . 1 1 ........+.....
Viola messanensis . . . + . + ..........+
Carduus nutans 1 . + ..............
Jasione echinata . . . + . + ...........
Orchis papilionacea ssp. grandiflora .........++......
Calicotome infesta ........++.......
Poa bivonae ..........++.....
Cistus salvifolius . . . 2 .............
Hordeum bulbosum + ................
Thapsia garganica 1 ................
Teucrium flavum .........+.......
Asphodelus ramosum ..........+......
Petrorhagia illyrica ssp. haynaldiana . . 1 ..............
Reichardia picroides ........+........
Orchis brancifortii .........+.......
Pallenis spinosa ........+........
Bellis perennis ...........1.....
Aceras anthropophorum ............+....
Edraianthus siculus ............+....
Athamanta sicula .............+...
Colchicum bivonae ................1
Spot and date of relevés
Rel.1-8: Peloritani, Mt. Scuderi, 5-7-1997
Rel. 9-17: Peloritani, Mt. Scuderi, 26-5-2003
143
TABLE 17 - Plantagini-Armerietum nebrodenis Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980.
Relevé 1234
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 1 7 5 1 7 6 1 8 0 18 0
Plot size (sq. m) 1 0 0 100 5 0 1 00
Cover (%) 7 0 7 0 7 0 8 0
Char. association
Plantago humilis 3434
Minuartia condensata 2232
Scleranthus venustus . + + .
Char. Armerion nebrodensis
Armeria nebrodensis 2222
Avenella flexuosa (diff.) ++++
Festuca pignattiorum 2 1 1 +
Genista cupanii . . 1 1
Char. Erysimo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) ++++
Erysimum bonannianum 1 + + 1
Allium cupanii 1 + + +
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis + . + +
Jurinea bocconei + + . +
Asperula scabra var. incana + . . .
Char. Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii 2121
Herniaria microcarpa 1 + + 1
Silene sicula 1 + 1 1
Hieracium macranthum 2222
Valeriana tuberosa (diff.) 1 + 1 1
Arabis rosea + 1 + +
Bunium petraeum + + 1 +
Phleum ambiguum (diff.) 1112
Centaurea parlatoris 1 + + 1
Rumex multifidus (diff.) + + + .
Carlina nebrodensis + + . +
Cerastium tomentosum 1 1 . 1
Tragopogon nebrodensis + + . +
Other species
Anthemis cupaniana 2212
Festuca circummediterranea 3322
Sedum tenuifolium 1 1 + 2
Anthoxanthum odoratum 1 + + +
Jasione echinata 1 + + 1
Tolpis virgata ssp. sexaristata + 1 1 1
Petrorhagia illyrica ssp. hainaldiana + + . .
Achillea ligustica 1 + . .
Plantago lanceolata + . . +
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-4, Madonie, Vallone Madonna degli Angeli, 25-7-2002
144
TABLE 18 - Genistetum cupanii Pignatti & Nimis in Pignatti et al. 1980.
Relevé 1 2 3
Altitude (dam a.s.l.) 17 1 1 7 5 1 7 6
Plot size (sq. m) 5 0 5 0 3 0
Cover (%) 7 0 8 0 7 0
Slope (°)203530
Exposure NW SW SW
Char. association
Genista cupanii 4 4 3
Tolpis virgata var. sexiaristata 1 + 1
Char. Armerion nebrodensis
Armeria nebrodensis 2 1 1
Avenella flexuosa (diff.) . 1 1
Festuca pignattiorum . + 1
Char. Erysimo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Allium cupanii + + +
Erysimum bonannianum 1 + 1
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) . + +
Asperula scabra var. incana + + .
Jurinea bocconei . 2 +
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis . + .
Car. Rumici-Astragaletea siculi
Hieracium macranthum + 1 2
Arabis rosea + + 1
Bunium petraeum 1 + 1
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii 1 1 2
Carlina nebrodensis + + 1
Silene sicula 1 + 1
Phleum ambiguum (diff.) 2 1 2
Cerastium tomentosum 1 1 1
Centaurea parlatoris . 1 1
Rumex multifidus (diff.) + . +
Herniaria microcarp
Tragopogon nebrodensis + . .
Other species
Anthoxanthum odoratum 1 2 2
Festuca circummediterranea 2 1 2
Sedum tenuifolium + + 1
Dactylis glomerata 1 1 +
Plantago cupanii 1 + +
Jasione echinata + + 1
Anthemis cupaniana + 1 1
Plantago lanceolata 2 + +
Petrorhagia illyrica ssp. hainaldiana . 1 1
Crepis vesicaria + + .
Aira caryophyllea . + .
Achillea ligustica + . .
Geranium pyrenaicum + . .
Potentilla calabra + . .
Erodium cicutarium + . .
Chondrilla juncea + . .
Lactuga viminea + . .
Carlina sicula + . .
Spot and date of relevés
Rel. 1-3 Madonie, Contrada Canna, next to Mt. Daino, 25-7-2002
145
TABLE 19 - Synoptic table of the Sicilian associations of Rumici-Astragaletea siculi.
Association 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
Nr. of relevés 4 1 0 1 0 4 6 20 1 6 9 16 7 5 20 7 9 1 5 1 0 11 1 715 7 4 10 8 3 1215 5 29 7 60141 3253 4 17101011181012
Char. association
Dianthus siculus 4 II III 1 V .....................................
Linum punctatum1I.1IVIII ...........II........................
Teucrium montanum . I I 2 V V ....................................
Laserpitium siculum . II II 3 I IV ....................................
Stipa sicula .....II....................................
Helianthemum canum ssp. nebrodense . . . 1 . I ....................................
Astragalus depressus var. leucophaeus ......IV.IIII...II............................
Artemisia alba ......IVVIII................................
Verbascum siculum ........IIIII................................
Sternbergia exscapa .......III..................................
Vicia glauca ........IIV................................
Melica cupanii ...... I.IIV...............................
Thymus spinulosus 2 .... I.....VV.IVV..........................
Scorzonera villosiformis . . I . . I I ....VV.............................
Carduncellus pinnatus .....I.....IVIV.............................
Teucrium chamaedrys ....IIII....IIIIV.............................
Peucedanum nebrodense .............V............................
Helictotrichon convolutum ..............VII..........................
Festuca rubra ...............V..........................
Helichrysum italicum ................V.........................
Asperula gussonei .................IV........................
Plantago humilis .................IIIVV4.....................
Scleranthus venustus ..................IIIIV2.....................
Minuartia condensata ..................IV.4.....................
Scleranthus marginatus ..................I.......................
Tolpis virgata ......I.I.........I..VIV3..................
Cuscuta kotschyi ........................IIIIVIIIIIIIIV........I...
Scleranthus aetnensis ........................IVIIIIII..............
Anthemis aetnensis ...........................I.IIIV1VV1V..IIIIII.
Scleranthus vulcanicus ..............................IV.IIIIII........
Cardamine glauca ..............................I.III..IIIII....
Hieracium pallidum ..................................4V......
Populus tremula fo. nana ........................................V.
Secale strictum 2 ..........................IIIIV..II..IIII2III.V
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Alyssum nebrodense 3 IV III 3 . III II V V IV V I I .............................
Astragalus nebrodensis 4 V V 4 III V III VVVV I I II ............................
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) 4 V IV 4 II III I V II . V V V . V V IV I ........................
Cachrys ferulacea (diff.) 3 I II . I II V V IV V V II . V III IV . I ........................
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) 2 I . 3 . II IV V IV IV V I I V . . V V ........................
Helianthemum cinereum (diff.) 3 III IV . IV IV II . V III V V III II II II ..........................
Inula montana (diff.) 2 I II 3 IV III III V II IV III III V . V II . . I .......................
Knautia calycina . I . . . II II III III III ................................
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca 3 III II 3 V V I I . I IV I I . . . V III ........................
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula 3 V III 4 V V I II II III V IV III . V V ..........................
Koeleria splendens ssp. splendens 4 IV III 4 V V . IV . . . IV III . I I . . II . . I ....................
Onosma canescens . I II 4 IV V ..........VI........................
Sideritis sicula . I . 3 . II I VVVVI ..............................
Viola nebrodensis ......IIIIIIIIV...............................
Char. Armerion nebrodensis
Armeria nebrodensis ..................VV4II.3..................
Genista cupanii ..................II..VV3..................
Avenella flexuosa (diff.) ..................II.4VI2..................
Festuca pignattiorum ....................4..2..................
Char. Er
y
simo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis . IV . . . III IV IV V V V II III II IV V V IV III II 3 IV IV 1 ..................
Allium cupanii . II . . . II I III ....IIIIVIVII..I.4IIII3..................
Asperula scabra var. incana 4 IV III 4 V V I V IV I III IV IV . IV III . . II I 1 I . 2 ..................
Dianthus arrostii (diff.) . III . 3 . III II . II III . IV V . V IV IV II III III . I ....................
Erysimum bonannianum 1 II I . . I V V V IV II IV V IV V V . . II I 4 I . 3 ..................
Galium venustum 4 V V 4 V IV III V III IV V II . IV IV V III V I . . I ....................
Helianthemum croceum (diff.) . IV IV . V V I . I I . II III . . . I ....IV....................
Jurinea bocconei 3 I I 3 IV II I II I I . I I .....IIII3I.2..................
Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.) 2 V II 2 V IV . . I . . II II . . . III III I .......................
Minuartia verna ssp. grandiflora . I . 1 II V . II . . V . . II . . III IV III V ......................
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) 1 I . 1 II II IV III V IV III II II III ....IVV4I.2..................
Trisetum splendens 3 . . 1 . . I .......I......II....................
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
alion siculi & Rumici-Astra
g
aletalia siculi
Astragalus siculus ........................VVVVVV. . . I 2 . . .IVVVV
Senecio aetnensis ..........................IIVVIVV1IVIV2..IVIIIII
Robertia taraxacoides (diff.) ..........................IIIIIIIIIIV1IVIV3V..IVIIIVIV
Viola aethnensis ........................VIVIIIIIIIVIV.II....IIIIIVIII
Bellardiochloa aetnensis .......................... IIII.VII.III1IIIVVVVVII
Rumex aetnensis ...........................II.IVV1VV4II..IIIIIIIII
Tanacetum siculum (diff.) ........................VIV.IIIIIIIII..I.3...I.IIIII
Erysimum etnense ........................VV.IIIIII.....II..IIII.III
Senecio chrysanthemifolius ........................IV...I............
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Acinos aetnensis ........................IVIVIIIIIIIII....1...III.I
Arabis rosea 4 III I 2 . III II IV . II IV I III II IV III III II III I 4 IV . 3 ..................
Bunium petraeum 4 III . 4 . II III V II I V I I V . . III II I II 4 I . 3 ..................
Carlina nebrodensis 4 III I 3 III III II IV III I II I I .....II.3III.3IV. I.II....1...III..
Centaurea parlatoris 4 V IV 4 V IV IV V III III V III IV V V IV V IV I . 4 I . 2 . . I I . I ........III.III
Cerastium tomentosum 3 V V 4 IV III VVVVV IIVV . . VV I .3 I .3 VIIIIIIIII.IVIII. I I4 VIVIIIVV. II
Galium aetnicum ................II.......IIIIIIVVVIII..II4VVIVIVVVV
Herniaria microcarpa .............IV....IVII4..2...I.II..I....VIIII..
Hieracium macranthum 4 III I 1 IV IV I . I . . I I .....IVIII4V.3..................
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii 4 III III 2 IV III V V V III V II II V IV I IV V IV III 4 IV IV 3 ....IIII....4II..IIII.V
Phleum ambiguum (diff.) 4 V IV 1 I II IV V V V ........II.4III.3IIIIIIIIIIII....1...IIII.V
Rumex multifidus (diff.) ..................IIII3I.2...I.I..II2IIIII..III
Saponaria sicula . I . 1 . II .....................IIIIIII.III.IIIIVIIIIII.I
Silene sicula 3 V II 4 . II IV V V III V IV IV II V V II IV III . 4 III . 3 . . III I II IV . . I I 4 IV . . IV V V IV
Tragopogon nebrodense 1 ....IIIIIII.I.II......3..2.IVIII.I........II.V
Valeriana tuberosa (diff.) . I I 2 I I III IV I III V I III III IV I . . III III 4 I ....................
Bellardiochloa violacea ..................III.............I.........
Trans
g
r. Pino-Juni
p
eretea
Juniperus hemisphaerica . IV II . . III ............II..II..IIII..II........III..
Rosa sicula . I II . . II I II III III ...........IIII...................
Berberis aetnensis ........III................II..II........IIIII.I
Daphne oleoides . . I . . I ....................................
Sorbus graeca . I . . . I ....................................
22.
G
enistetum cupanii (after Brullo 1984 - tab.18)
23.
G
enistetum cupanii (after Pignatti et al. 1980 - tab.11)
24.
G
enistetum cupanii (tab.18)
4. Lino-
S
eslerietum siculae (tab 6) 25. Astragaletum siculi (after Frei 1940 - tab.3)
26. Astragaletum siculi (after Frei 1940 - tab.3)
27. Astragaletum siculi (after
G
illi 1943 - ril.3-7)
7.
C
achryetum ferulaceae (tab.9) 28. Astragaletum siculi (after Poli 1965 - tab.19 rel.1-4, 6-7, 9-10, 12-17, 19-21; tab.21 rel.1, 3-5, 12-13, 19, 22-24, 29-30)
29. Astragaletum siculi (after Pignatti et al. 1980 - tab12 ril.107, 110-114, 116)
30. Astragaletum siculi (tab.1)
31.
S
enecioni-Anthemidetum aetnensis (after Frei 1940 - tab.1)
32.
S
enecioni-Anthemidetum aetnensis (after
G
illi 1943 - pag.54 ril.8)
33.
S
enecioni-Anthemidetum aetnensis (after Poli 1965 - tab.14, tab. 28)
34.
S
enecioni-Anthemidetum aetnensis (tab. 2)
35.
C
erastio-Hieracietum pallidi (after Poli 1965 - tab.34 rel.2-4, rel. pg. 144)
36.
C
erastio-Hieracietum pallidi (tab.5)
37. Festuco circumediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis (after Frei 1940, tab. 2a)
38. Festuco circumediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis (after Frei 1940, tab. 2b)
39. Festuco circumediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis (after Poli 1965, tab. 31, 32)
40. Festuco circumediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis (tab. 3)
41. Festuco circummediterraneae-Populetum tremulae (tab.4)
42. Phleo ambigui-
S
ecalietum stricti (after
S
iracusa 1998 - tab. 1)
18. Plantago humilis-Asperuletum gussonei (tab. 16 )
19. Plantagini-Armerietum nebrodenis (after Brullo 1984 - tab.16)
20. Plantagini-Armerietum nebrodenis (after Pignatti et al. 1980 - tab.10)
21. Plantagini-Armerietum nebrodenis (tab.17)
14. Peucedanetum nebrodensis (tab. 12)
15. Seslerio siculae-Helictotrichetum convoluti (tab. 13)
16. Festuco rubrae-Seslerietum siculae (tab. 14)
17. Helichryso italici-Onosmetum canescentis (tab. 15)
10. Sideritido siculae-Artemisietum albae vicietosum (tab.10 rel. 26-33)
11. Seslerio siculae-Melicetum cupanii (tab.11)
12. Carduncello-Thymetum spinulosi (after Brullo 1984 - tab.12)
13. Carduncello-Thymetum spinulosi (tab. 7)
5. Lino-Seslerietum siculae (after Pignatti et al. 1980 - tab.8)
6. Lino-Seslerietum siculae (after Brullo 1984 - tab.10)
8. Sideritido siculae-Artemisietum albae artemisietosum (tab.10 rel.1-9)
9. Sideritido siculae-Artemisietum albae artemisietosum (tab.10 rel.10-25)
1. Astragaletum nebrodensis (tab.8)
2. Astragaletum nebrodensis (after Brullo 1984 - tab.13)
3. Astragaletum nebrodensis (after Pignatti et al. 1980 - tab.7)
146
TABLE 20 - Comparison of the associations of Rumici-Astragaletea siculi with some Central and
Southern Apenninic associations of Festuco-Brometea.
Association 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344
Nr. of relevés 24 30 16 25 8 7 27 9 1 5 1 0 1 1 17 26 21 12 15 41 60 14 32 53 10 10 29 15 11 12 30 10 5 21121413 6 6 5 1453 60 17 18 11 12
Char. association
Dianthus siculus IIII ................................
V..V......
Linum punctatumIIII .........II........ ........................
Laserpitium siculum II III ..........................................
Stipa sicula .I..........................................
Helianthemum canum ssp. nebrodense . I . . . V ......................................
Astra
g
alus de
p
ressus var. leuco
p
haeus ..IVIII..II....................................
Artemisia alba . . I V III .......................................
Verbascum siculum . . . II II .......................................
Sternbergia exscapa ...I........................................
Vicia glauca ...IIV.......................................
Melica cupanii..IIIIV......................................
Thymus spinulosus I I ....V.VV..................................
Scorzonera villosiformis I I I . . . V . . I . . I ...............................
Carduncellus pinnatus . I ....IV.....................................
Teucrium chamaedrys . II . II II III III ..................................IIII
Peucedanum nebrodensis .......V....................................
Helictotrichon convolutum ......II.VII..................................
Festuca rubra (diff.) .........V..................................
Helichrysum italicum ..........V.................................
Asperula gussonei ...........IV................................
Plantago humilis ...........IVV...................V...........
Scleranthus venustus ............III...............................
Minuartia condensata ............III....................
V..........
Tolpis virgata ssp. sexaearistata . . I.........IIV..............................
Cuscuta kotschyi ..............IIIIVIIIIV.....I....................
Scleranthus aetnensis ..............IVIIIII...I.......................
Anthemis aetnensis ................IIIIVVV..IIIVI..................
Scleranthus vulcanicus ..................IVIIIIII.......................
Cardamine glauca ..................IIIIIIIII.....................
Hieracium pallidum ........................V...................
Populus tremula f.ma nana .........................V..................
Secale strictum I....................IIII.I.V.................
Festuca curvula ...........................
III . . . . . . ..........
Genista silana ...........................
.V .III . . . ..........
Festuca rubra ssp. microphylla ..........IVIII................IV...............
Chamaecytisus spinescens ...........................
II . V .. . . ..........
Potentilla calabra ...................II......
.. .V.IV... .......
Seseli peucedanoides ...........................
...II . ............
Plantago fuscescens ..............................II.............
Dianthus brutius ssp. brutius ...............................V............
Tuberaria lignosa ................................IV...........
Lotus corniculatus .................................IV..........
Poa alpina ..................................V.........
Asperula aristata ssp. scabra ...................................V........
Bromus caprinus ...........................
II I III I I ....V.......
Anthemis pulvinata .....................................V
......
Astragalus sirinicus ......................................V.....
Pimpinella lithofila ......................................V...II.
Sideritis brutia ......................................IV.....
Oxytropis caputoi .......................................V....
Laserpitium garganicum .......................................V.. +.
Hippocrepis glauca .......................................V....
Anthemis montana ........................................V...
Seseli viarum .........................................IVIIIII
Euphorbia nicaensis .........................................V..
Campanula rapunculus .........................................IV..
Goniolimon italicum .........................................I..
Lactuca viminea .........................................IV..
Astragalus sempervirens ..........................................IV.
Carex humilis ..........................................IV.
Anthemis cretica ..........................................III.
Centaurea rupestris ...........................................IV
Scabiosa crenata ...........................................V
Leontodon villarsii ...........................................IV
Pimpinella saxifraga ...........................................V
Char. Cerastio-Astra
g
alion nebrodensis
Helianthemum cinereum (diff.) IV IV II IV III II V III II II V V ................................
Cachrys ferulacea (diff.)IIIVVVVII VIIIIV. I . . ..............................
Avenochloa cincinnata (diff.) V III I III I V V . V V IV I . . ..............................
Inula montana (diff.)IIIVIII IIIIVIVIV.VII. .I...............................
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca III V I I I III I . . . V III ................................
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula IV VIII IIIVIV .VV..................................
Euphorbia myrsinites (diff.) I . IV V IV V I V . . V V ...............................II
Astragalus nebrodensis V IV III V V V I III ....................................
Alyssum nebrodense IV III II V IV V I .....................................
Sideritis sicula I II I V V V I .....................................
Knautia calycinaIII II III III ..................................IIII.. .
Viola nebrodensis . . I II IV IV ......................................
Onosma canescens I V ........VI................................
Char. Armerion nebrodensis
Armeria nebrodensis ............VII..............................
Genista cupanii ............IIV..............................
Avenella flexuosa (diff.) ............IIIII....................
V.........
Festuca pignattiorum ............II..............................
Char. Koelerio brutiae-Astra
g
alion calabrici
Plantago serpentina ...........................VVVV. . . . . . . ......
Armeria brutia ...........................IVVVV. . . ..........
Centaurea sarfattiana ...........................IVVVIII . . . ..........
Koeleria splendens ssp. brutia ...........................IVIII III II . . . . III . . ......
Avenula praetutiana ssp. rigida ...........................IIIII.............
Astragalus calabricus ...........................VIII I . . . ...........
Char. Armerion as
p
romontanae
Armeria aspromontana ...............................VIIIVVVVV ......
Centaurea poltiana ...............................VIII IV VVVV ......
Char. Er
y
simo-Jurinetalia bocconei
Galium venustum V IV III IV IV V II I V IV V III V I I ..............................
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis II II IV V V V III III IV V V V III IV ..............................
Erysimum bonannianum II I V V I V III IV IV V V . . II II ..............................
Dianthus arrostii (diff.)IIIII II II II .IV. II IV IV II III I..............................
Allium cupanii IIII.IIIIVVII..IIIII..............................
Polycarpon polycarpoides (diff.) I II IV IV IV IV II IV ....VI..............................
Asperula scabra var. incana IV V I IV I III IV .....III..............................
Jurinea bocconei II III I I I . I .....IIII..............................
Helianthemum croceum (diff.) IV V I I I . III . . . I . . II . . . . . .........................
Minuartia verna ssp. grandiflora IIV.IIV.III..IIIIV................................
Koeleria splendens ssp. splendens IV V . II . . IV . . I . . I I ..............................
Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.) IV IV . I . . II . . . III III I ...............................
Trisetum splendens I I I .....I....I..............................
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
alion siculi & Rumici-Astra
g
aletalia siculi
Senecio aetnensis ................VIVVIVIV.IVIIIIIII.................
Robertia taraxacoides (diff.) ................IIIIIIVIVIV..IVVVIV
.................
Rumex aetnensis ................IIIVVVV..IIIIVIIII
.................
Tanacetum siculum (diff.) ..............VIVIIIIII.I...IIIIII
.................
Bellardiochloa aetnensis ................IIVIIIIIVVVIVII.................
Astragalus siculus ..............VVVV. . I . .IVIVV .................
Viola aethnensis ..............VIVIIIVIVII....VIII
.................
Erysimum etnense ..............VVIIIII.....II..III
.................
Senecio chrysanthemifolius ..............IV.I..........................
Char. Anthemidetalia calabricae
Anthemis calabrica ...........................
VVIVVVVIVVVV. ......
Viola messanensis ...........................II.IVI.I.III.......
Hypericum calabricum ...........................
IV III V II . I I . . . . ......
Erysimum crassystilum ...........................I.........IV
......
147
Char. Rumici-Astra
g
aletea siculi
Silene sicula IV II IV V IV V IV II V V II IV III II . . II IV . I I . . IV IV V IV IV IV IV IV V III II IV V V V ......
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparriniiIVIII VVIII VIIVIV IIVVIV IV ..III.....IIII.V
IV IV .IIVIIIIVVVVV......
Cerastium tomentosum V IV VVVVIIIV . .VVIIIIVIIIIIIVIIII IIIIIIIVV.II ..........I......
Carlina nebrodensis IIIIII II IIIIII I.....IIIIIIVIII.....II..
II IV II II II I I . V . II ......
Phleum ambiguum (diff.) V II IV V V II ......IIIIIIIIIIIII.....III.V
IV V III IV V I . . V V V II . . V I II I
Bunium petraeumIII II III III IVIV..IIIIIIIII.............
III III VIVIII . VVVVIV......
Rumex multifidus (diff.) ............IIII..II.IIIIIII.III
IIVI IIVIIIIIIVVV......
Centaurea parlatoris V IV IV IV III V III V V IV V V II I . . I I .....I..III
.................
Herniaria microcarpa .......IV....IVI..III.I..VII...
III . IV I IV II II III V . IV ......
Hieracium macranthum IIIIVI I..I.....IVIV.............
III V IV IV IV V IV III . III . ......
Arabis rosea III II II II II V II II V III III II III III . . .....................IV
......
Acinos aetnensis ..............IVIVIIII.....II.I
II II .IIII VVVVV. ......
Valeriana tuberosa (diff.) I I III II III V II III IV I . . IV I . . ...........
II .II.........III....
Tragopogon nebrodensis I I II I I . I II ....II.IVII.....I..V
.................
Galium aetnicum ..........II...IIIIIVV.IIVIVIVVVV
.................
Saponaria siculaIII ..............IIIIIIIIIVIIIIIIII.I.................
Scleranthus marginatus ............I..................IIIIIII V . . . ......
Bellardiochloa violacea ............II...............................
Char. Phleo ambi
g
ui-Bromion erecti
Helianthemum canum ......................................IIVIIIIIIIIIII
Galium lucidum ...........................IIIII.........VVIIIII
Koeleria splendens ssp. grandiflora ........................................VVIIII
Sesleria nitida ssp. nitida ......................................IVV..V.
Erysimum pseudorhaeticum .........................................IVII
Avenula praetutiana ......................................IIIVIII...
Sedum rupestre .........................................VIIII
Acinos alpinus ......................................I..IV.I
Eryngium amethystinum .........................................VIIIIII
Carex macrolepis ......................................IV...II.
Trinia dalechampii .......................................VV...
Centaurea ambigua .........................................II.
Crepis lacera .........................................III.IV
Poa molinieri .......................................IVIII...
Thymus striatus ......................................I...IV.
Minuartia verna .......................................VV...
Pedicularis comosa .......................................IV..I.
Onosma echioides .........................................II.
Allium tenuiflorum ...........................I..............I.
Silene otites .........................................III..
Edraianthus graminifolius .......................................V....
Odonthites lutea ..........................................I.
Globularia meridionalis ..........................................III.
Brachypodium genuense ..........................................I.
Centaurea deusta ........................................II...
Centaurea triumfetti ..........................................II.
Char. Brometalia erecti & Festuco-Brometea
Dianthus sylvestris ......................................IIIIIIIVIII.
Brachypodium rupestre ......................................IVIII.VIVII
Hieracium pilosella ......................................II.IIVIII
Teucrium montanum IV............................I.......II..IIVIII
Helianthemum apenninum .......................................IVIVI.
Petrorhagia saxifraga ......................................III.IIV.I
Bromus erectus ......................................III..IIIIIIII
Anthyllis vulneraria .......................................V.VIIII
Sanguisorba minor ...........................
II .............VIIV
Carlina acanthifolia ............................I.........I.III.I.
Asperula cynanchica .........................................IIIIIII
Hippocrepis comosa ......................................III..II.
Satureja montana .........................................VII
Thesium divaricatum .......................................I..IIIII
Carex caryophillea .......................................VII.I.
Allium sphaerocephalon .........................................IV.I
Stachys recta ......................................II....III
Asperula aristata ......................................V....I
Convolvulus cantabrica .........................................V.I
Melica ciliata .........................................II.II
Asperula purpurea .........................................V.V
Scabiosa columbaria .........................................VI.
Trifolium ochroleucum ...........................
II II .I.......IIII....
Armeria canescens ..........................................I.
Plantago argentea .......................................III....
Carlina acaulis ssp simplex ..........................................III.
Knautia purpurea ..........................................III.
Orchis mascula .......................................II....
Campanula glomerata .......................................II....
Argyrolobium zanonii .........................................I..
Heliantemum nummularium .........................................I..
Alyssum montanum .........................................II..
Arabis hirsuta ...........................................I
..
Trans
g
r. Pino-Juni
p
eretea ..
Juniperus hemisphaerica III II ..........IIIIIIII.....I.......IIIII..........
Berberis aetnensis . . . I II I ..........III.....II..I.................
Rosa sicula II IIIIII........II..............................
Daphne oleoides I I . . . .....I.................................
Sorbus graecaII..........................................
1. Astra
g
aletum nebrodensis
(
Tab. 8 + Brullo
,
1984
,
tab. 13 + Pi
g
natti et al . 1980
,
tab. 7
)
23. Festuco circummediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis
(
Frei
,
1940
,
Tab. 2b
)
2. Lino-Seslerietum siculae
(
Tab. 6 + Brullo
,
1984
,
tab. 10 + Pi
g
natti et al.
,
1980
,
tab. 8
)
24. Festuco circummediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis
(
Tab. 3 + Poli
,
1965
,
tab. 31
,
32
)
3. Cachr
y
etum ferulaceae
(
Tab. 9
)
25. Cerastio-Hieracietum
p
allidi
(
Tab. 5 + Poli
,
1965
,
tab. 34 rel. 3-4
,
rel.
pg
. 144
)
4. Sideritido siculae-Artemisietum albae artemisietosum
(
Tab. 10
,
rel. 1-25
)
26. Festuco circummediterraneae-Po
p
uletum tremuli
(
Tab. 4
)
5. Sideritido siculae-Artemisietum albae vicietosum
(
Tab. 10
,
rel. 26-33
)
27. Phleo ambi
g
ui-Secaletum stricti
(
Siracusa
,
1998
,
tab. 1
)
6. Seslerio siculae-Melicetum cu
p
anii
(
Tab. 11
)
28. Astra
g
aletum calabrici
(
Brullo et al .
,
2004
,
Tab. 2
)
7. Carduncello-Th
y
metum s
p
inulosi
(
Tab. 7 + Brullo
,
1984
,
tab. 12
)
29. Festuco micro
p
h
y
llae-Genistetum silanae
(
Brullo et al .
,
2004
,
Tab. 4
)
8. Peucedanetum nebrodensis
(
Tab. 12
)
30. Planta
g
o ser
p
entinae-Chamaec
y
tisetum s
p
inescentis
(
Brullo et al .
,
2004
,
Tab. 3
)
9. Seslerio siculae-Helictotrichetum convolutae
(
Tab. 13
)
31. Armerio brutiae-Potentilletum calabrae
(
Brullo et al .
,
2004
,
Tab. 5
)
10. Festuco rubrae-Seslerietum siculae
(
Tab. 14
)
32. Armerio as
p
romontanae-Dianthetum brutii
(
Brullo et al .
,
2001
,
Tab. 56
)
11. Helichr
y
so italici- Onosmetum canescentis
(
Tab. 15
)
33. Armerio as
p
romontanae-Planta
g
inetum humilis
(
Brullo et al .
,
2001
,
Tab. 55
)
12. Planta
g
ini humilis-As
p
eruletum
g
ussonei
(
Tab. 16
)
34. Armerio as
p
romontanae-Potentilletum calabrae
(
Brullo et al .
,
2001
,
Tab. 54
)
13. Planta
g
ini-Armerietum nebrodensis
(
Tab. 17 + Brullo
,
1984
,
tab.16 + Pi
g
natti et al.
,
1908
,
tab.10
)
35. Poo al
p
inae-Minuartietum condensatae
(
Brullo et al .
,
2001
,
Tab. 57
)
14. Genistetum cu
p
anii
(
Tab. 18 + Brullo
,
1984
,
tab. 18 + Pi
g
natti et al.
,
1980
,
tab. 11
)
36. Armerio as
p
romontanae-As
p
eruletum scabrae
(
Brullo et al .
,
2001
,
Tab. 58
)
15. Astra
g
aletum siculi
(
Frei
,
1940
,
Tab. 3a
)
37. Phleo ambi
g
ui-Brometum ca
p
rini
(
Brullo et al .
,
2001
,
Tab. 60
)
16. Astra
g
aletum siculi
(
Frei
,
1940
,
Tab. 3b
)
38. Anthemidetum
p
ulvinatae
(
Brullo et al .
,
2001
,
Tab. 59
)
17. Astra
g
aletum siculi
(
Gilli
,
1943
,
rel. 2-7 + Poli
,
1965
,
tab. 19
,
21
p
.
p
. + Pi
g
natti et al .
,
1980
,
tab. 12
,
p
.
p
.
)
39. Pim
p
inello-Astra
g
aletum sirinici
(
Ca
p
uto
,
1970
,
Tab.1
)
18. Astra
g
aletum siculi
(
tab. 1
)
40. Oxitro
p
idetum ca
p
utoi
(
Corbetta et al .
,
1987
,
Tab. 4
)
19. Senecioni-Anthemidetum aetnensis
(
Frei
,
1940
,
Tab. 1
)
41. Minuartio-Anthemidetum montanae
(
Corbetta et al .
,
1987
,
Tab. 4
)
20. Senecioni-Anthemidetum aetnensis
(
Gilli
,
1943 rel. 8
,
pg
54 + Poli
,
1965
,
tab. 14
,
28
)
42. Seselio viarum-Brometum erecti
(
Frattaroli
,
1989
,
Tab. 1
)
21. Senecioni-Anthemidetum aetnensis
(
Tab. 2
)
43. Astra
g
alo sem
p
ervirentis-Seslerietum nitidae
(
Biondi & Ballelli
,
1995
,
Tab. 2
)
22. Festuco circummediterraneae-Bellardiochloetum aetnensis
(
Frei
,
1940
,
Tab. 2a
)
44. Centaureo ru
p
estris-Scabiosetum crenatae
(
Biondi et al .
,
1993
,
Tab. 3
)
148
TABLE 21 - List of the endemic species characterizing the syntaxa of Rumici-Astragaletea siculi.
Madonie Etna N-Sicily Sicily Sicily &
Calabria
Aspro-
monte Sila Calabria Sicily & C-
S-Apenn.
Acinos aetnensis x
Acinos alpinus var. nebrodensis x
Allium cupanii x
Alyssum nebrodense x
Anthemis aetnensis x
Anthemis calabrica x
Anthemis pulvinata x
Armeria aspromontana x
Armeria brutia x
Armeria nebrodensis x
Asperula gussonei x
Asperula scabra var. incana x
Astragalus calabricus x
Astragalus nebrodensis x
Astragalus siculus x
Avenula praetutiana ssp. rigida x
Bellardiochloa aetnensis x
Bunium petraeum x
Carlina nebrodensis x
Centaurea parlatoris x
Centaurea poltiana x
Centaurea sarfattiana x
Cerastium tomentosum x
Dianthus arrostii x
Dianthus brutius ssp. brutius x
Dianthus siculus x
Erysimum bonannianum x
Erysimum crassystilum x
Erysimum etnense x
Festuca pignattiorum x
Galium aetnicum x
Genista cupanii x
Genista silana x
Helianthemum canum ssp. nebrodense x
Hieracium macranthum x
Hieracium pallidum x
Hypericum calabricum x
Jurinea bocconei x
Knautia calycina x
Koeleria splendens ssp. brutia x
Koeleria splendens ssp. splendens x
Laserpitium siculum x
Linum punctatum x
Lomelosia crenata var. hirsuta (diff.) x
Minuartia verna ssp. grandiflora x
Onosma canescens x
Petrorhagia saxifraga ssp. gasparrinii x
Peucedanum nebrodensis x
Phleum ambiguum x
Pimpinella tragium var. glauca x
Plantago humilis x
Rumex aetnensis x
Scleranthus aetnensis x
Scleranthus vulcanicus x
Senecio aetnensis x
Senecio chrysanthemifolius x
Sesleria nitida ssp. sicula x
Sideritis sicula x
Silene sicula x
Sternbergia exscapa x
Stipa sicula x
Tanacetum siculum x
Thymus spinulosus x
Tolpis virgata ssp. sexaearistata x
Tragopogon nebrodensis x
Verbascum siculum x
Viola aethnensis x
Viola messanensis x
Viola nebrodensis x
149
150
