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Saverio Sciandrello

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (1): 087-104 - MONOGRAPH

    Pietro Minissale & Saverio Sciandrello
    The wild vascular flora of the Archaeological Park of Neapolis in Syracuse and surrounding areas (Sicily, Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    This paper presents an updated list of the wild vascular flora growing in the Archaeological Park of Syracuse and surrounding areas. The list of plants is the result of a bibliographic analysis and field surveys carried out in 2013–2015. A total of 343 specific and infraspecific taxa are reported. The families most represented are Poaceae (43), Fabaceae (38) and Asteraceae (35 taxa). The analysis of the biological spectrum of the vascular flora indicate the predominance of therophytes (51%) and hemicryptophytes (20%) while, from a chorological point of view, most of the species show a Mediterranean distribution (134 taxa). The phytogeographical value of some rare species, in particular Origanum onites, Elatine gussonei, Callitriche truncata, Aristolochia altissima and Brassica souliei subsp. amplexicaulis is discussed. The presence of some alien species, such as Vachellia karroo, Lantana camara, Ailanthus altissima is also highlighted, because in this area they represent a serious threat to native plant biodiversity.