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Itineraries
The above-mentioned perennial grasslands are often intermingled
with therophytic ephemeral prairies which may be referred to TRACHY-
NION DISTACHYAE (Vulpio ciliatae-Trisetarietum aureae and Thero-Sedetum
caerulei) or to STIPION RETORTAE (Ononido breviflorae-Stipetum capensis).
On the coastal areas influenced by salt-spray two associations (Anthemido
secundirameae-Desmazerietum siculae and Catapodio marini-Sedetum litorei,
STIPO-BUPLEURETALIA SEMICOMPOSITI) have been detected.
Vegetation of coastal ecosystems
Many endemics to NW Sicily (e.g. Allium obtusiflorum, Desmazeria si-
cula, Limonium bocconei, Limonium flagellare, etc.) and other plants of high
biogeographic and conservation interest (e.g. Allium lehmanii, Anthemis
secundiramea, Galium verrucosum subsp. halophilum, Romulea linaresii sub-
sp. linaresii, etc.) thrive on sea-facing cliffs and along rocky shores.
Local halo-nitrophilous annual communities of sandy-loamy sal-
ted soils (SAGINETEA MARITIMAE and FRANKENION PULVERU-
LENTAE) are ascribed to the Anthemido secundirameae-Desmazerietum
siculae (Zingaro and San Vito peninsula), Parapholido incurvae-Franke-
nietum pulverulentae and Frankenio pulverulentae-Anthemidetum secun-
dirameae (Egadi) and Polypogonetum subspathacei (Levanzo).
Hydrophytic vegetation surrounds the temporary pond near Baglio Cofano: Ranunculus baudotii
(bottom left), Glyceria spicata (bottom right) and, in the background, Hordeo-Carduetum argiroae.
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