Apennine broomy heath vegetation
Erico scopariae-Cytision scoparii Mucina in Mucina et al. 2016
Erico scopariae-Cytision scoparii Mucina in Mucina et al. 2016
cyt04 | Agnolioni et al. (2007) recognised that the Ligurian and Tuscan Italian broom scrub cannot be classified within the Telinion monspessulano-linifoliae (see Vagge et al. 2004) and decided to place them within the Sarothamnion scoparii and classify this alliance within the Cytisetalia scopario-striati (Cytisetea scopario-striati). This step was taken earlier also by Passarge (1978: 174). We share their opinion only to a certain extent and suggest that the Erica-Cytisus broom heath of submediterranean Italy should constitute an alliance in its own right, which we call here the Erico scopariae-Cytision scoparii (holotypus hoc loco: Adenocarpo complicati-Cytisetum scoparii Blasi, Cavaliere, Abbate et Scoppola 1990; Blasi et al. 1990: Tab. 2) and designate Adenocarpos complicatus, Erica scoparia, Cytisus scoparius, C. villosus and Genista desoleana as (regional) character species of this new alliance. The Erico scopariae-Cytision scoparii further differs from its cool temperate counterpart Sarothamnion scoparii Oberd. 1957 by the occurrence of a set of species considered differential (against the Cytision scoparii), originating from the neighbouring mediterranean shrublands and woodlands. These species include Arbutus unedo, Asphodelus ramosus, Castanea sativa, Cistus incanus, C. salviifolius, Dioscorea vulgaris, Dorycnium hirsutum, Erica arborea, Helichrysum italicum, Pinus pinaster, Pulicaria odora, Quercus cerris, Q. ilex and Rubus ulmifolius. (L. Mucina).