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Bocconea 20 — 2007 7

of local researchers due to the prevailing of a positivistic philosophical-methodological
approach to epistemology (generally unconscious) based on the common thinking that tax-
onomy had no more secrets, and the few issues still unsolved were of little interest.
The value of those useful tools able to determine future investigations was neglected.
For instance, Flora Sicula, written by Lojacono, a work owned by every library was
regarded as a collection of solved questions, instead of a collection of unsolved issues and
therefore a stimulating tool for the improvement of botanical studies; neither the informa-
tion contained in the work of Fiori (Nuova Fl. Anal. Ital. 1923-1929) were much taken into
consideration. Even Flora Europaea [Tutin & al. (eds.) 1964-1980] was badly interpreted
for the choice to avoid the treatment of inferior ranks as a case of subspecies, not consid-
ering the important role that it played to help taxonomists. In this period, the study of the
territory was neglected, and in many cases the memory of the exact localities of rare
species or those of phytogeographic significance was lost. For this reason, after the 1920s-
1970s break, it has been difficult - and still it is - to reconstruct a territorial map of the
already well-known elements. These aspects were followed by other consequences: some
more or less numerous taxonomical problems left open by previous scholars remained
unsolved. This is the reason why writing today a Catalogue of Sicilian plants is not an easy
task, since the literature data is not always consistent; when it is coherent, specimens’
examination is not definitive because these might belong to taxa not clearly treated by
scholars.
However, in spite of these difficulties, a catalogue of the living plants could be still a
useful tool for scholars. In order to obtain the best result, it has been decided to include in
this Catalogue also uncertain taxa that could be object of more specific investigations
deserving another place than a simple floristic catalogue.

Rarity and the conservation problems
Rarity is often a natural aspect in the distribution of plant species. It is due to the fact
that Life has an intrinsic tendency to adapt even to peculiar habitats – the much rare (es.
“mofete”, “faguare”, etc.), or narrow niches. There is a clear relationship between rare
habitats and rare species. Rarity, however, should be considered behind the narrow concept
of “natural rarity”. A rare plant is not necessarily in danger of extinction. Its extinction
process can be verified in a long geological era in which habitats can change or disappear.
The rarefying process is currently expanding and therefore many species can be consid-
ered as virtually extinct caused by the disturbing presence of human beings.
Today greater attention must be paid to preserve the floristic heritage. To be accused is
a blind model of development, which does not offer better prospective for the coming gen-
erations. However, without interfering with the actual development process, many easy
and inexpensive actions may be pursued to preserve and reduce the risk of extinction for a
great number of plant species. First of all it is important to know which species is in dan-
ger and where it can be found in the region. For this reason, a modern catalogue of living
plants could be of great usefulness. Naturally, a catalogue does not resolve the problems
of taxa delimitation; however, on the basis of the acquired knowledge, it indicates the
numerous taxonomic threat and their distributions. For this purpose, the chorology and the