Plant species of volcanic Sicily

On our 2007 Botanical Journey we decided to go to Sicily. Famous for its volcano that is still active: the Etna. Like on any Mediterranean island we could expect many nice plant species there, and some endemics as well. As usual the purpose of our trip was to find as many different plant species as possible. To keep things easy for ourselves we registered each plant specie only the first time we found it.

We arrived on Sicily on the 9th of April. It took us some time to get to our final destination, the beautiful village of Castiglione di Sicilia. By the time we got there, it was already dark so we did not record any plant species. Our real "holiday" would start the next morning. A complete list of the recorded species is added below. Additional pictures of the wild flowers of Sicily can be found on Rutgers Flickr page.
 

On this page you will find (click to jump):

• Used identification keys on the flora of the areas we visited
• A day-by-day report of our Botanical Journey
• A list of all recorded species

Useful identification keys

• A self-made paper version of endemic species at http://web.tiscali.it/florasicula/
• Marjorie Blamey and Christopher Grey-Wilson: Wild flowers of the Mediterranean (London 2004).
• Sandro Pignatti: Flora d'Italia 1-3 (Bologna 1982).

Report of this BotanicalJourney

10-4-2007: Castiglione (Google map)

We started the first real day of our visit to Sicily with the surroundings of Castiglione di Sicilia. It is not possible for us to tell you exactly where we walked in this beautiful village, because it consisted of numerous narrow streets (we even managed to wreck our rental-car when we got stuck in a street that appeared to be too narrow after all) and a lot of stairways. Finally we got up all the way to the ruins of an old castle. During our walk we recorded 84 plant species, most of them very common on Sicily. Some of the remarkable things we found were Parietaria cretica and Parietaria diffusa right next to each other, so we could look at the differences really well. In the numerous old walls we found lots of Ceterach officinarum and Anogramma leptophylla. In a more or less fallow field near a collapsed house we found Ferula communis, Parentucellia viscosa, Urtica membranacea and Linaria reflexa (see picture). After we enjoyed the spectacular view on mount Etna from the ruins of the old castle, we descended all the way down to the Via Umberto, which led us out of the village and into a barren area with scattered agricultural fields.
 

10-4-2007: Castiglione-Francaville (Google map)

We left Castiglione di Sicilia on the Via Umberto. In the forested areas next to the road (we had to climb up a brick wall) we found Cyclamen repandum and Allium neapolitanum underneath the Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens. Where the asphalt road made a sharp curve to the right we entered a grassy field and immediately stumbled onto nice specimens of Allium triquetrum, Anemone hortensis, Ornithogalum umbellatum, Orchis lactea and Orchis italica. The latter being very appropriate, because after all Sicily is a part if Italy nowadays. Next to the road we saw a huge Ajuga orientalis with a giant grasshopper on it. The Ajuga is a funny plant because its flowers are upside down.

A little further down the road there was an unpaved road to the left, which we followed. There were some agricultural fields in which we found both Vicia grandiflora and Vicia melanops and other plants that indicate human activities, like Arum italicum. Always nice to see is of course Cerinthe major, one of my favourite plant species. Next to a small river we found Euphorbia melapetala and on a fallow field Linaria multicaulis (see picture). All in all this somewhat peculiar surroundings delivered us another 165 new plant species that we could add to our list!
 

10-4-2007: Castiglione-Alcantare (Google map)

When we left the semi-cultivated area we found ourselves next to an old railroad track. We followed it for a while until we reached the river Alcantare. This was a river with a lot of large stones and boulders, which obviously could contain more water than it did at the moment we were there. Between the rocks near the water we found wild plant species like Achillea ligustica, Asphodelus fistulosus, Veronica anagallis-aquatica, Carex otrubae, Iris sisyrinchium and Saxifraga hederacea. In a more grassy field we found Serapias lingua and Hedysarum coronarium.
 

11-4-2007: Iblei (Google map)

The next day we decided to go to the famous Iblei-region. From the town of Sortino we followed an asphalt road southwards. This road ended in the middle of nowhere. A path that was accessible by foot continued. At first it led though grassy hill sides. After about 200 meters we followed a path up the hill. We found Linaria triphylla, Ajuga chamaepitys, Antirrhinum siculum, Nigella damascena, Serapias vomeracea, Phlomis fruticosa, Ferulago nodosa and Aristolochia altissima. When we reached the asphalt road we returned back to the original unpaved path. From there we continued towards the necropolis. This was a large group of ancient excavations in the rocks, that in past time were used to bury dead people. Impressive to see, but of course our main interest had more to do with the wild flower species. We found several of them, like many orchid species: Ophrys lutea, Ophrys bertolonii (see picture), Ophrys sphegodes, Ophrys vernixia, Ophrys fusca (=iricolor), Ophrys speculum and the hybrid Ophrys lutea x iricolor.

Other nice species were Astragalus hamosus, Campanula erinus, Centaurea calcitrapa, Centranthus calcitrapa, Iris sisyrinchium, Linaria triphylla, Nigella damascena, Ornithogalum gussonei, Ornithogalum umbellatum and Prasium majus. On a very moist shadowy spot underneath a rock we saw Adiantum capillus-veneris. On the rocks were Sedum dasyphyllum and Sedum sediforme.
 

11-4-2007: Agnone Bagni, beach (Google map)

On the way back to Castiglione we wanted to visit the coast, so we could see some plant species in a totally different habitat. Not knowing exactly where to go, we ended up on the beach of Agnone Bagni. We bought an ice-cream and walked along the beach. In the sand we redorded the following species: Medicago marina (see picture), Medicago litoralis, Cyperus capitatus (= C. kalli), Crithmum maritimum, Cutandia maritima, Silene sedoides, Pseudorlaya pumila, Centaurea sphaerocephala and Carpobrotus edulis. On the shore we saw balls of Posidonia oceanica.
 

12-4-2007: Etna-north-west (Google map)

I am sorry to say that I can't really remember the exact location we were on the 12th of April. The location on the Google map is therefore not very exact. However, we were on the lava slopes of the impressive Etna. This volcano was still active, which we could smell very well. From time to time there was a roaring sound coming from the underground too. It made us feel very small, as you probably can imagine. We parked the car somewhere in the lava and started walking towards a forest north of the road. Most of the plants were not very tall here. The first thing we noticed was that the trees were different from the trees we knew: they were odd-shaped Betula aetnensis. On the ground we saw the prickly shrubs of Astragalus siculus and the very tiny flowers of Viola kitaibeliana (see picture). The lava proved to be a good habitat for Bellis margaritaefolia, Scutellaria columnae, Sedum ochroleucum, Sideritis romana and many other species as well.
 

12-4-2007: Castiglione (Google map)

Again, I am not quite sure of the exact location, so the mark on the Google map is not very accurate. But when you drive from the town of Linguaglossa towards Castiglione di Sicilia, you follow the SP7-1. There is a place where a lot of water runs over the asphalt. We stopped our car there, climbed over a fence and found ourselves in a sort of tree nursery. Some canals were dug in the tree nursery for irrigation purposes. A lot of interesting plant species were hiding on the edge of these canals. We found Aristolochia rotunda, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Asplenium trichomanes, Cruciata pedemontana, Doronicum orientale, Linaria reflexa, Ranunculus ficaria and Symphytum gussonei (see picture) there.
 

12-4-2007: Catena-Castiglione (Google map)

Somewhere on the road between Catena and Castiglione di Sicilia, we were attracted by large numbers of orchids: Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys fusca (=iricolor), Ophrys galilaea, Ophrys lutea, Ophrys sphegodes, Orchis lactea and Orchis longicornu. So we stopped our car and decided to look around some more. We found Dryopteris villarii, Hermodactylus tuberosus (wild??), Onobrychis aequidentata, Vicia bithynica and Viola tricolor cv hortensis.
 

13-4-2007: Nebrodi (Google map)

The Nebrodi hills are very interesting to go to when you are looking for wild plants on Sicily. One day is not enough to discover the richness of this area. However, we paid only a short visit to the park. I can't remember the exact locations where we stopped, but I can tell you what species we found. We were surprised by a large number of bulb-flowers, like Bellevalia dubia, Bellevalia romana, Narcissus tazetta, Muscari neglectum, Romulea ramiflora (see picture) and Romulea bulbocodium (see picture below). We had a little difficulty with R. ramiflora at first: initially we thought it to be R. columnae; however our specimens lacked scarious bracts, as you can clearly see on the picture. A big thanks to Giuliano, who is a visitor to our site and who kindly pointed out the difference between these species using our contact-form!

Several orchids were present as well, like: Dactylorhiza sambucina, Orchis lactea, Orchis laxiflora, Orchis italica, Orchis longicornu, Orchis quadripunctata, Orchis provincialis, Ophrys fusca (=iricolor), Orchis papilionacea, and Ophrys tenthredinifera. Among the trees and shrubs there was Abies nebrodensis as well as Acer obtusatum, Aesculus hippocastanum, Crataegus azarolus, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus petraea, Salix purpurea and Populus nigra.

When we followed a small stream up a hill we discovered Polygala preslii, Symphytum gussonei, Hermodactylus tuberosus and Anemone hortensis in the forest. Rather spectacular (for us) was finding Paeonia mascula next to the road, which had several nice flowers.
 

14-4-2007: Oasi del simeso (Google map)

When you follow the E45 south of Catania, at some point you pass a canal. It is not easy to miss, because there is probably a traffic jam at the scene. We left the road there and parked our car on a car park (where women offer their "services" - but that was not what we were there for), followed the canal towards the ocean and turned left on the beach. The whole area is marked as a nature reserve, called "Oasi del Simeso". On the beach we found Otanthus maritimus, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Parapholis incurva, Suaeda maritima, Glaucium flavum, Euphorbia paralias, Salsola kali, Spergularia marina and Cakile maritima.

Next to the beach there was a villa-park with high fences. Probably this was not a part of the nature reserve. We found nice plant species there, like Scolymus grandiflorus, Aster squamatus, Convolvolus tricolor, Asteriscus aquaticus and Parentucellia viscosa. There were also large numbers of grasses present, like Aegilops geniculata, Agropyron junceum, Avena barbata, Avena sterilis, Bromus hordeaceus, Festuca arundinacea, Hordeum maritimum, Lolium multiflorum, Pennisetum setaceum, Phalaris coerulescens, Phalaris minor and Stipa capensis.
 

14-4-2007: Route along shore Cottone (Google map)

Because our visit to the coast in Oasi del Simeso was so successful, we decided to try our luck again just north of Fondacello, near Cottone. I don't know how we ended up just there and to be honest, we did not find any spectacular new species. It was quite nice though, with plants like Achyranthes aspera, Bidens pilosa, Coronopus didymus, Malva parviflora and Parthenocissus quinquefolia.
 

15-4-2007: Near Malvagna: Bosco di Malabotta (Google map)

Bosco di Malabotta was another nature reserve. It had a southern and a northern part. First, we visited the southern part, coming from the village of Malvagna. We found several orchid species here, like Limodorum abortivum, Neotinea intacta, Orchis brancifortii (see picture) and Orchis commutata. We also found the remarkable flowers of Atractylis cancellata and Atractylis gummifera. We found Carex depauperata and Scilla hyacinthoides in a forest where a lot of trees had been cut down for wood production purposes. On more open, sunny places we found Sideritis syriaca and on the rocks Sedum cepaea was present.
 

15-4-2007: Northern part of Bosco di Malabotta (Google map)

After this successful walk we wanted to check the northern part of Bosco di Malabotta. I (again) don't know the exact location (I am making this report more than 2 years after our actual visit, so several destinations seem to have gone from my memory). Some of the species we found in the northern part of the Nature Reserve, were: Aceras anthropophorum, Clinopodium vulgare, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Ophrys exaltata, Orobanche purpurea, Scrophularia umbrosa, Scutellaria rubicunda and Viola alba.

15-4-2007: South of Randazzo (Google map)

When we drove back home, we decided not tot take the main road SS120, but a parallel road on the slopes of the Etna. This road led through several lava-formations of different ages. Some of the lava was covered with plants, and some was too young to have any vegetation on it. It was an impressive sight. We stopped our car on a narrow road to the south because we could see several specimens of Paeonia mascula (see picture). It was also the second time we found Viola kitaibeliana.
 

16-4-2007: Mte Scalpello near Castananuova (Google map)

The next day we visited the southern part of the island again, going to Monte Scalpello near the village of Castananuova. We parked our car alongside the SS192 and followed an unpaved road up the hill. On the left side of this dirt road there was a grassy area with a large gorge in it. We had to climb over a fence to see Adonis annua and Nigella damascena. Next to the path there were several beautiful specimens of Astragalus huetii (see picture).

Further up the hill we saw Hedysarum glomeratum, Geropogon glaber, Tragopogon crocifolius, Atractylis gummifera, Ornithogalum narbonense and Serapias orientalis. Aristolochia clusii (see picture) was quite a nice finding as well, as was Prasium majus. Somewhere along the road we were attracted by large numbers of orchids. There were numerous species, for example Ophrys bertolonii, Ophrys iricolor x sphegodes, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys lutea x fusca and Ophrys galilea.

17-4-2007: Castiglione di Sicilia (Google map)

Clearly we hadn't seen the environment of Castiglione di Sicilia -our "hometown"- enough, so we returned to the Alcantara river once more. This time we followed the river upstream (westwards) from the bridge of the main road SP7-1. We climbed over large boulders, looking for plants between the stones. A few hundreds of meters upstream a small path took us alongside the river. We found Helleborus bocconei (see picture) there. In the forests towards Castiglione di Sicilia we saw Cyclamen repandum, Neotinea intacta, Doronicum orientale and Aristolochia rotunda.
 

18-4-2007: Sughereta di Niscemi (Google map - location not exact)

Again we wanted to visit a Nature Reserve. This time we chose to go to Riserva Naturale Sughereta di Niscemi, a little south of Caltagirone. We parked our car on a small dirt road with an information sign of the Nature Reserve and followed a path into the Reserve. It was sort of a Garrigue-like environment, with lots of herbs and prickly plants. Several Cistus species were dominating the vegetation here: Cistus creticus, Cistus incanus, Cistus monspeliensis and Cistus parviflorus. Looking underneath the Cistus-shrubbery revealed Cytinus ruber as well. In more open areas we found Bellardia trixago. Following this path proved to be a good choice: after a short while we found Ophrys lunulata, a rare endemic which we had been hoping to see for a long time. On the path there was a specimen of Malcomia africana and several specimens of Evax pygmaea. In an open forest we finally found another plant that we had hoped to see for a long time: Limodorum abortivum (see picture). This specie equalled the Holy Grail for us because we had been looking for ages to find one with flowers in it. And now we finally did !!!
 

19-4-2007: Oasi di Faunistica di Vendicari (Google map)

Again to the coast! The south coast, this time. Once we passed the daily traffic jam (which is quite an experience for civilized drivers like ourselves), we went all the way south. We parked our car at the car park of the "Oasi di Faunistica di Vendicari" and followed the path into the Nature Reserve. In the water large groups of flamingo's were present, which could be seen from a bird watching-cabin perfectly. The path from the car park led straight to the sea. First we turned left and immediately found a large group of Ophrys apifera (see picture). Other species were Anthemis maritima, Arthrocnemum glaucum, Astragalus boeticus, Blackstonia perfoliata, Dorycnium rectum, Limonium narbonense, Limonium sinuatum, Loeflingia hispanica, Orobanche caryophyllacea, Orobanche crenata, Pancratium maritimum, Prosopis varcta, Reichardia picroides and Sarcopoterium spinosum. The road to the right finally led to a turtle-beach (without any turtles).
 

20-4-2007: Fondachelli (Google map part I) (Google map part II)

The surroundings of Fondachelli proved to be an interesting site for small streams and big rivers. The first part of the day we followed a dry river bed in a narrow valley (part I of this trip). We saw Serapias orientalis there. A little further up the road we found Aristolochia sicula (see picture), Orchis provincialis and Neotinea intacta. Near the town of Fondachelli Fantina there were large river beds with hardly any water in it. The river beds were covered with small and large stones and because of the absence of water the "islands" could be reached without any trouble (part II of this trip). We found Alnus glutinosa there, which is a bit strange because according to our list this specie is not supposed to occur on Sicily. We also saw Serapias parviflora and Orchis papilionacea. On our way back we decided to follow a road up in the hills which finally became a bit too adventurous for our car, so we had to turn around and go back. But we did find Viola aethnensis there.
 

21-4-2007: Bronte (Google map)

We wanted to see the Etna once more, so we went to Bronte. Anyone who wants to experience the total impressiveness of the Etna should go there; the landscape is full of signs of volcanic activity: lava streams of different ages, large and small craters, et cetera. By producing smoke and making an almost constant roaring noise, the Etna reminded us of its presence constantly. We parked our car at a car park and followed an unpaved road. Some of the first species we recorded here were Myosotis sicula, Veronica praecox and Buglossoides arvensis.

The road continued through old lava streams with no vegetation and suddenly we were in a forested area once more. This was an old crater of the Etna. We found spectacular plant species like Gagea busambarensis (see picture above), Ranunculus millefoliatus, Dactylorhiza sambucina and Muscari neglectum (see picture). There were also some nice ferns: Asplenium trichomanes, Cystopteris fragilis and Athyrium filix-femina.
 

21-4-2007: Francaville (Google map)

The last day of our visit to Sicily we decided to go to the Alcantara river once more, in the village of Francaville. Although it was a nice walk it didn't really add new species to our list that are worth mentioning here.

And here ended our Botanical Journey to Sicily. A beautiful island for anyone who is looking for plants and who wants to be impressed by the beauty of the Etna. In total we recorded 858 different wild plant species. They are displayed in the full list below. 

List of the recorded plant species

PLEASE NOTE:
Only the first finding of species is displayed. So species that were both recorded on the 9th and the 12th of April ONLY are noted on the 9th.

9-4-2007: Airport-Castiglione (Google map)

Agave americana
Arum italicum
Chrysanthemum coronarium
 

10-4-2007: Castiglione (Google map)

Acanthus mollis
Aeonium arboreum
Alcea rosea
Anogramma leptophylla
Artemisia arborescens
Brassica rapa
Bromus rubens
Calendula suffruticosa
Calystegia silvatica
Campanula erinus
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Cardamine hirsuta
Carthamus lanatus
Catapodium marinum
Centranthus ruber
Cerastium semidecandrum
Ceterach officinarum
Conyza bonariensis
Corylus avellana
Erophila verna
Eryngium campestre
Erysimum cheiri
Ferula communis
Ficus carica
Fumaria capreolata
Galactites tomentosa
Galium aparine
Geranium molle
Geranium rotundifolium
Hedera helix
Helichrysum stoechas
Hordeum murinum
Hyoseris radiata
Hypochaeris radicata
Lathyrus clymenum
Linaria reflexa
Lobularia maritima
Lophochloa cristata
Lotus ornithopodioides
Lycium chinense
Malva sylvestris
Matthiola incana
Medicago polymorpha
Mentha x piperita
Mercurialis annua
Myosotis incrassata
Opuntia ficus-indica
Origanum vulgare
Ornithopus compressus
Oxalis corniculata
Oxalis pes-caprae
Papaver rhoeas
Parentucellia viscosa
Parietaria cretica
Parietaria judaica
Phagnalon saxatile
Piptatherum miliaceum
Poa annua
Polycarpon tetraphyllum
Polypodium interjectum
Sagina apetala
Sambucus nigra
Scrophularia peregrina
Sedum rubens
Sedum stellatum
Senecio vulgaris
Sisymbrium officinale
Smyrnium olusatrum
Solanum luteum
Sonchus asper
Sonchus tenerrimus
Stellaria pallida
Taraxacum officinale
Thymus longicaulis
Trifolium glomeratum
Umbilicus horizontalis
Umbilicus rupestris
Urospermum picroides
Urtica membranacea
Urtica urens
Vicia villosa subsp. pseudocracca
Vicia sativa
Vulpia myuros
Zantedeschia aethiopica
 

10-4-2007: Castiglione-Francaville (Google map)

Acanthus mollis
Aira elegantissima
Ajuga orientalis
Allium neapolitanum
Allium roseum
Allium triquetrum
Allium vineale
Ampelodesmos mauritanica
Anagallis arvensis
Anemone hortensis
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Arabidopsis thaliana
Arabis verna
Arisarum vulgare
Arundo donax
Arundo pliniana = Arundo plinii
Arum italicum
Asparagus acutifolius
Asphodelus microcarpus
Bellardia trixago
Bellis sylvestris
Biscutella raphanifolia
Borago officinalis
Brachypodium pinnatum
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Brassica macrocarpa
Cachrys libanotis
Calepina irregularis
Calicotome villosa
Carduus acicularis
Carex caryophyllea
Carex divulsa
Carex flacca
Carex otrubae
Centaurium erythraea
Cerastium glomeratum
Cerinthe major
Chenopodium album
Chrysanthemum segetum = Glebionis segetum
Cistus salvifolius
Clematis vitalba
Coleostephus myconis
Convolvulus arvensis
Cyclamen repandum
Cymbopogon hirtus = Hyparrhenia hirta
Dactylis glomerata
Datura stramonium
Daucus carota
Diplotaxis erucoides
Echium italicum
Echium plantagineum
Epilobium hirsutum
Equisetum ramosissimum
Erodium moschatum
Euonymus europaeus
Eupatorium cannabinum
Euphorbia exigua
Euphorbia helioscopia
Euphorbia melapetala = Euphorbia characias
Euphorbia peplus
Fedia cornucopiae
Freesia refracta
Fritillaria messanensis
Fumaria officinalis
Galium verrucosum
Geranium dissectum
Geranium lucidum
Geranium robertianum
Gladiolus italicus
Globularia alypum
Hypericum perfoliatum
Hypericum perforatum
Inula viscosa = Dittrichia viscosa
Juncus articulatus
Juncus inflexus
Kundmannia sicula
Lactuca serriola
Lamium amplexicaule
Lathyrus aphaca
Lathyrus ochrus
Leopoldia comosa
Linaria multicaulis ?
Linaria reflexa
Linum bienne
Lotus edulis
Lupinus angustifolius
Lythrum junceum
Malus domestica
Medicago arabica
Melica minuta
Mentha arvensis
Mentha pulegium
Mentha suaveolens
Myosotis ramosissima
Nasturtium officinale
Nerium oleander
Oenanthe lachenalii
Olea europaea
Orchis italica
Orchis lactea
Orchis papilionacea
Orlaya kochii
Ornithogalum umbellatum
Orobanche gracilis
Pallenis spinosa
Papaver dubium
Picris echioides
Plantago bellardi
Plantago lagopus
Plantago lanceolata
Plantago major
Plantago psyllium = Plantago afra
Plantago serraria
Poa pratensis
Potentilla reptans
Prunus dulcis
Prunus spinosa
Psoralea bituminosa
Pteridium aquilinum
Pulicaria dysenterica
Quercus ilex
Quercus pubescens
Ranunculus ficaria
Ranunculus muricatus
Ranunculus velutinus
Reseda alba
Reseda lutea
Rosa sempervirens
Rubia tinctorum
Rubus ulmifolius
Rumex acetosa
Rumex bucephalophorus
Rumex conglomeratus
Scandix pecten-veneris
Selaginella denticulata
Sherardia arvensis
Sideritis romana
Silene gallica
Silene latifolia
Silene vulgaris
Stachys arvensis
Stellaria media
Stellaria neglecta
Sylibum marianum
Tamus communis
Tetragonolobus purpureus
Thalictrum calabricum
Theligonum cynocrambe
Trifolium repens
Trifolium resupinatum
Trifolium stellatum
Trifolium subterraneum
Tuberaria guttata
Ulmus minor
Urginea maritima
Urtica dioica
Valantia muralis
Verbascum sinuatum
Verbena officinalis
Veronica cymbalaria
Veronica hederifolia
Veronica persica
Vicia grandiflora
Vicia melanops
Vicia peregrina
 

10-4-2007: Castiglione-Alcantare (Google map)

Achillea ligustica
Alliaria petiolata
Apium nodiflorum
Asphodelus fistulosus
Atriplex patula
Bellis annua
Beta vulgaris
Bromus tectorum = Anisantha tectorum
Carex otrubae
Conium maculatum
Crepis vesicaria
Eriobotrya japonica
Erodium malacoides
Eryngium campestre
Filago pyramidata
Fraxinus ornus
Geranium purpureum
Glyceria fluitans
Hedysarum coronarium
Holoschoenus vulgaris = Scirpoides holoschoenus
Iris sisyrinchium
Isatis tinctoria
Jasione echinata = Jasione montana subsp. echinata
Lavatera arborea
Medicago lupulina
Myosotis discolor
Orchis lactea
Parentucellia latifolia
Poa bulbosa
Polystichum setiferum
Ranunculus arvensis
Rumex thyrsoides
Salix cinerea
Salvia verbenaca
Sanguisorba minor
Saponaria officinalis
Saxifraga hederacea
Serapias lingua
Spartium junceum
Tamarix canariensis
Tragopogon porrifolius
Trifolium angustifolium
Trifolium arvense
Trifolium nigrescens
Valerianella carinata
Veronica anagallis-aquatica
Veronica arvensis
Vinca major
Xanthium strumarium
 

11-4-2007: Iblei (Google map)

Adiantum capillus-veneris
Aegilops geniculata
Ajuga chamaepitys
Ajuga iva
Allium subhirsutum
Althaea hirsuta
Andrachne telephioides
Andropogon distachyus
Anthyllis tetraphylla = Tripodion tetraphyllum
Anthyllis vulneraria
Antirrhinum siculum
Arisarum vulgare
Aristolochia altissima = Aristolochia sempervirens
Arum italicum
Asparagus acutifolius
Astragalus hamosus
Briza maxima
Calystegia silvatica
Campanula erinus
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Carex divulsa
Carex illegitima ?
Carex pendula
Centaurea calcitrapa
Centranthus calcitrapa
Ceratonia siliqua
Clematis cirrhosa
Convolvulus althaeoides
Convolvulus siculus
Coronilla emerus
Coronilla scorpioides
Coronilla valentina
Crepis foetida
Cuscuta planiflora
Cynoglossum creticum
Equisetum telmateia
Erica multiflora
Eryngium campestre
Eupatorium cannabinum
Euphorbia characias
Euphorbia dendroides
Ferulago nodosa
Galium verum
Hirschfeldia incana
Hordeum murinum
Hyoseris scabra
Hypericum androsaemum
Hypochoeris laevigata
Iris sisyrinchium
Juncus bufonius
Lamarckia aurea
Lathyrus annuus
Lathyrus sphaericus
Linaria triphylla
Lolium temulentum
Mandragora autumnalis
Medicago disciformis
Melilotus infesta
Mentha spicata
Micromeria juliana
Misopates orontium
Nigella damascena
Odontites bocconei
Ononis natrix
Ophrys bertolonii
Ophrys fusca (=iricolor)
Ophrys lutea
Ophrys sphegodes
Ophrys vernixia
Opuntia ficus-indica
Ornithogalum gussonei = Ornithogalum collinum
Ornithogalum umbellatum
Orobanche minor
Osyris alba
Papaver pinnatifidum
Parietaria lusitanica
Petrorhagia illyrica
Phlomis fruticosa
Pinus pinea
Pistacia terebinthus
Pisum sativum
Prasium majus
Reseda alba
Rhamnus alaternus
Rosa sempervirens
Ruta chalepensis
Scabiosa maritima = Scabiosa atropurpurea
Scorpiurus muricatus
Sedum dasyphyllum
Sedum sediforme
Serapias vomeracea
Silene colorata
Smilax aspera
Smyrnium perfoliatum
Solanum nigrum
Teucrium chamaedrys
Teucrium scordium ??
Tordylium apulum
Trifolium campestre
Trifolium striatum
Trisetum aureum
Urtica rupestris
Valantia hispida
 

11-4-2007: Agnone Bagni, beach (Google map)

Asphodelus tenuifolius
Athamanta sicula
Calystegia soldanella = Convolvulus soldanella
Carpobrotus edulis
Centaurea sphaerocephala
Crassula tillaea
Crithmum maritimum
Cutandia maritima
Cyperus kalli = Cyperus capitatus
Echinophora spinosa
Echium arenarium
Eryngium maritimum
Euphorbia terracina
Lotus cytisoides
Matthiola tricuspidata
Medicago littoralis
Medicago marina
Ononis variegata
Pancratium angustifolium = Pancratium maritimum
Posidonia oceanica
Pseudorlaya pumila
Silene sedoides
 

11-4-2007: Castiglione-Iblei

Anthyllis vulneraria
Antirrhinum siculum
Arundo donax
Arundo pliniana
Bromus hordeaceus
Chenopodium giganteum
Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Ecballium elaterium
Hedysarum coronarium
Ipomoea sagittata
Isatis tinctoria
Lantana camara
Lamarckia aurea
Linaria triphylla
Malva sylvestris
Nicotiana glauca
Phragmites australis
Pinus halepensis
Ricinus communis
Robinia pseudoacacia
Rumex scutatus
Scolymus hispanicus
Typha latifolia
 

12-4-2007: Etna-north-west (Google map)

Aira caryophyllea
Alkanna tinctoria
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus
Anogramma leptophylla
Anthemis aetnensis
Anthoxanthum gracile
Asphodelus fistulosus
Asplenium obovatum
Asplenium trichomanes
Astragalus siculus = Astragalus granatensis subsp. siculus
Barlia robertiana
Bellis margaritaefolia
Betula aetnensis = Betula pendula (agg.)
Calamagrostis epigejos
Castanea sativa
Cerastium brachypetalum
Cerastium tomentosum
Cheilanthes pteridioides = Cheilanthes maderensis
Cyclamen hederifolium
Cyclamen repandum
Cystopteris fragilis
Daphne laureola
Echium vulgare
Erica arborea
Erodium acaule
Erophila verna
Eryngium campestre
Erysimum bonannianum
Euphorbia characias
Euphorbia myrsinites
Euphorbia peplus
Galium aetnicum
Genista aetnensis
Hippocrepis ciliata
Isatis tinctoria
Jasione montana
Juniperus communis
Linaria multicaulis
Linaria pelisseriana
Luzula forsteri
Moenchia erecta
Orobanche rapum-genistae
Petrorhagia velutina
Pinus laricio
Poa infirma
Potentilla reptans
Quercus calliprinos = Quercus coccifera
Ranunculus millefoliatus
Rumex acetosa
Rumex acetosella
Rumex nebroides
Sanguisorba minor
Saxifraga tridactylites
Scleranthus annuus
Scutellaria columnae
Sedum ochroleucum
Sideritis romana
Silene colorata
Silene gallica
Silybum marianum
Tanacetum siculum
Teesdalia coronopifolia
Trifolium arvense
Trifolium lappaceum
Trifolium scabrum
Vicia lathyroides
Vinca major
Viola kitaibeliana
 

12-4-2007: Castiglione (Google map)

Aristolochia rotunda
Asphodelus fistulosus
Asplenium adiantum-nigrum
Asplenium trichomanes
Chaerophyllum temulum
Corylus avellana
Cruciata pedemontana
Cyclamen hederifolium
Doronicum orientale
Geum urbanum
Isatis tinctoria
Juncus bufonius
Lamium bifidum
Lamium flexuosum
Linaria reflexa
Poa trivialis
Ranunculus ficaria
Rumex acetosa
Symphytum gussonei
Veronica arvensis
Veronica cymbalaria
Viola odorata
Vulpia ligustica
 

12-4-2007: Catena-Castiglione (Google map)

Anthoxanthum odoratum
Bellis annua
Dryopteris villarii
Erodium cicutarium
Hermodactylus tuberosus
Hymenocarpos circinnatus
Myosotis arvensis
Onobrychis aequidentata
Ophrys bombyliflora
Ophrys fusca (=iricolor)
Ophrys galilaea = Ophrys sicula subsp. galilaea
Ophrys lutea
Ophrys sphegodes
Orchis lactea
Orchis longicornu = Anacamptis morio subsp. longicornu
Pteridium aquilinum
Tordylium apulum
Vicia bithynica
Viola tricolor cv hortensis
 

13-4-2007: Nebrodi (Google map)

Abies nebrodensis
Acer obtusatum
Acinos granatensis
Aesculus hippocastanum
Ajuga orientalis
Alliaria petiolata
Alnus cordata
Alyssum alyssoides
Anagyris foetida
Anchusa cretica
Anemone apennina
Anthriscus nemorosa
Arabis collina
Arenaria bertolonii
Asphodelus fistulosus
Barbarea bracteosa
Bellis perennis
Biscutella didyma
Cardamine graeca
Carex remota
Centranthus ruber
Cirsium vulgare
Crataegus azarolus
Crataegus monogyna
Cynoglossum nebrodense
Dactylorhiza sambucina
Damasonium alisma
Dianthus sylvestris
Dipsacus fullonum
Epilobium tetragonum
Euphorbia amygdaloides
Euphorbia myrsinites
Fedia cornucopiae
Galanthus nivalis
Galium palustre
Geranium pyrenaicum
Geranium sanguineum
Geranium versicolor
Geum urbanum
Glyceria fluitans
Helianthemum nummularium
Heracleum pyrenaicum
Hermodactylus tuberosus
Hypericum tetrapterum
Lathyrus pratensis
Lathyrus venetus
Lepidium hirtum
Lonicera implexa
Lupinus micranthus
Lysimachia nemorum
Mentha aquatica
Mentha pulegium
Muscari neglectum
Narcissus tazetta
Onopordum illyricum
Orchis lactea
Orchis laxiflora
Orchis longicornu
Orchis provincialis
Paeonia mascula
Plantago coronopus
Polygala preslii
Potentilla hirta
Potentilla micrantha
Primula vulgaris
Prunella vulgaris
Quercus petraea
Ranunculus ficariiformis
Ranunculus millefoliatus
Ranunculus saniculifolius
Romulea bulbocodium
Romulea ramiflora
Rumex bucephalophorus
Ruscus aculeatus
Salix purpurea
Saxifraga bulbifera
Sedum caespitosum
Sinapis arvensis
Sparganium erectum
Symphytum gussonei
Tanacetum vulgare
Trifolium spumosum
Tussilago farfara
Veronica agrestis
Veronica beccabunga
Viscum album
 

13-4-2007: Maniace

Aesculus hippocastanum
Anogramma leptophylla
Anthyllis vulneraria
Antirrhinum majus
Arctium minus
Colchicum bivonae
Iris pseudopumila
Linaria multicaulis
Lolium perenne
Ophrys fusca (=iricolor)
Orchis papilionacea
Populus nigra

13-4-2007: Near Nebrodi

Arabis hirsuta
Asphodeline lutea
Asphodelus tenuifolius
Bellevalia dubia
Bellevalia romana
Cardaria draba
Carlina corymbosa
Cynara cardunculus
Ferula communis
Ophrys tenthredinifera
Orchis italica
Pirus pyraster
Podospermum laciniatum
Raphanus raphanistrum
Salvia sclarea
 

14-4-2007: Oasi del simeso (Google map)

Aegilops geniculata
Aetheorrhiza bulbosa
Agropyron junceum
Aster squamatus
Asteriscus aquaticus
Avena barbata
Avena sterilis
Bolboschoenus maritimus
Bromus hordeaceus
Cakile maritima
Cardaria draba
Carduus pycnocephalus
Carex divisa
Centaurium maritimum
Chenopodium ambrosioides
Chenopodium murale
Chrysanthemum coronarium
Convolvulus tricolor
Emex spinosa
Erodium laciniatum
Euphorbia paralias
Euphorbia terracina
Festuca arundinacea
Glaucium flavum
Halimione portulacoides
Halocnemum strobilaceum
Hordeum maritimum
Inula chrithmoides
Juncus acutus
Juncus bufonius
Juncus maritimus
Lagurus ovatus
Lathyrus annuus
Lavatera cretica
Lavatera punctata
Lolium multiflorum
Marrubium vulgare
Medicago intertexta
Medicago litoralis
Ononis natrix
Orobanche crenata
Orobanche ramosa
Otanthus maritimus
Parapholis incurva
Parietaria cretica
Pennisetum setaceum
Phalaris coerulescens
Phalaris minor
Picris hieracioides
Polycarpon tetraphyllum
Polygonum maritimum
Ranunculus sardous
Sagina subulata
Salsola kali
Scolymus grandiflorus
Silene sedoides
Spergularia marina
Sphenopus divaricatus
Stipa capensis
Suaeda fruticosa
Suaeda maritima
Trifolium resupinatum
Trifolium tomentosum
Typha angustifolia
Vicia lutea
Vicia narbonensis
Vicia pannonica
 

14-4-2007: Route along shore Cottone (Google map)

Achyranthes aspera
Anagallis arvensis
Arenaria leptoclados
Bidens pilosa
Coronopus didymus
Cynodon dactylon
Cynoglossum cheirifolium
Malva parviflora
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Populus nigra
Silene latifolia
Vitis vinifera
 

15-4-2007: Near Malvagna: Bosco di Malabotta (Google map)

Atractylis cancellata
Atractylis gummifera
Calicotome spinosa
Carthamus pinnatus
Carex depauperata
Equisetum arvense
Isolepis cernua
Limodorum abortivum
Marrubium vulgare
Neotinea intacta
Orchis brancifortii
Orchis commutata
Scilla hyacinthoides
Sedum cepaea
Sideritis syriaca
 

15-4-2007: Northern part of Bosco di Malabotta (Google map)

Aceras anthropophorum = Orchis anthropophora
Agrimonia eupatoria
Buglossoides purpurocaerulea
Cardamine flexuosa
Chondrilla juncea
Cirsium palustre
Clinopodium vulgare
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Dryopteris filix-mas
Ophrys exaltata
Orobanche purpurea
Platanus hybrida
Scrophularia umbrosa
Scutellaria rubicunda
Sesleria nitida
Trifolium pratense
Viola alba
Viola riviniana

15-4-2007: South of Randazzo (Google map)

Cistus salvifolius
Paeonia mascula
Stellaria neglecta
Vicia melanops
Viola kitaibeliana
 

16-4-2007: Mte Scalpello near Castananuova (Google map)

Adonis annua
Allium nigrum
Althaea hirsuta
Ammi majus
Andropogon distachyus
Anthemis tomentosa
Aristolochia clusii
Astragalus huetii
Brassica rapa
Bromus madritensis
Catananche lutea
Crupina crupinastrum
Dactylis hispanica
Delphinium staphysagria
Echium parviflorum
Geropogon glaber = Tragopogon hybridus
Hedysarum glomeratum
Hippocrepis unisiliquosa
Kundmannia sicula
Lactuca saligna
Lavatera cretica
Linaria simplex
Lygeum spartum
Moricandia arvensis
Nigella damascena
Ononis breviflora = Ononis viscosa subsp. breviflora
Ophrys bombyliflora
Ornithogalum narbonense
Prasium majus
Salvia sclarea
Senecio delphinifolius
Serapias orientalis
Sisymbrium irio
Teucrium fruticans
Torilis arvensis
Tragopogon crocifolius
Vicia villosa
 

16-4-2007: Orchid-slope

Astragalus monspessulanus
Cupressus sempervirens
Eruca sativa
Valerianella discoidea
Vicia bithynica
 

17-4-2007: Castiglione di Sicilia (Google map)

Ajuga orientalis
Allium triquetrum
Artemisia vulgaris
Bryonia dioica
Calendula officinalis
Carpinus orientalis
Convolvulus cantabrica
Crepis leontodontoides
Euphorbia falcata
Galium aparine
Geranium columbinum
Helleborus bocconei
Lamium flexuosum
Lathyrus latifolius
Lupinus albus
Minuartia graminifolia
Moricandia arvensis
Papaver hybridum
Populus alba
Rhagadiolus edulis
Sambucus ebulus
Scrophularia canina
Trifolium pratense
Vicia hirsuta
 

18-4-2007: Sughereta di Niscemi (Google map - location not exact)

Ammoides pusilla
Anchusa aggregata = Anchusa humilis
Asterolinon linum-stellatum
Blackstonia perfoliata
Brassica nigra
Buglossoides gasparrinii = Buglossoides arvensis subsp. gasparrinii
Buglossoides splitgerberi
Centaurium maritimum
Ceratonia siliqua
Chamaerops humilis
Cistus creticus = Cistus incanus subsp. creticus
Cistus incanus
Cistus monspeliensis
Cistus parviflorus
Cytinus ruber
Delphinium emarginatum
Dracunculus vulgare
Emex spinosa
Euphorbia falcata
Evax pygmaea
Fumana arabica
Fumana thymifolia
Galium verrucosum
Gladiolus dubius
Herniaria hirsuta
Hordeum bulbosum
Juglans regia
Limodorum abortivum
Maresia nana
Morus alba
Neatostema apulum
Ononis pendula
Ophrys lunulata = Ophrys sphegodes subsp. lunulata
Ornithogalum montanum
Phagnalon rupestre
Pinus halepensis
Quercus calliprinos
Quercus ilex
Rhus coriaria
Rosmarinus officinalis
Rubia peregrina
Senecio leucanthemifolius
Senecio pygmaeus
Serapias parviflora
Silene latifolia
Teucrium polium
Thapsia garganica
Thymelaea hirsuta
 

19-4-2007: Oasi di Faunistica di Vendicari (Google map)

Agropyron junceum = Elymus farctus
Anacyclus tomentosus = Anacyclus clavatus
Anthemis maritima
Arthrocnemum glaucum = Arthrocnemum macrostachyum
Astragalus boeticus
Bellardia trixago
Blackstonia perfoliata
Carex extensa
Carex hispida
Dorycnium rectum
Ephedra fragilis
Frankenia laevis
Gladiolus byzantinus = Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus
Helichrysum stoechas
Juniperus oxycedrus
Launaea resedifolia
Lavatera olbia
Limonium narbonense
Limonium sinuatum
Linum trigynum
Loeflingia hispanica
Lotus cytisoides
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Olea europaea
Ophrys apifera
Orobanche caryophyllacea
Orobanche crenata
Pancratium maritimum
Pistacia lentiscus
Plantago crassifolia
Polycarpon diphyllum = Polycarpon tetraphyllum subsp. diphyllum
Prosopis varcta
Reichardia picroides
Ruppia cirrhosa
Sarcopoterium spinosum
Schoenus nigricans
Seseli tortuosum
 

20-4-2007: Fondachelli (Google map part I) (Google map part II)

Acer pseudoplatanus
Alnus glutinosa
Anagyris foetida
Aquilegia vulgaris
Arabis rosea = Arabis collina
Arabis turrita
Aremonia agrimonoides
Aristolochia sicula
Cardamine graeca
Carex distans
Centaurium spicatum
Cirsium scabrum
Coleostephus myconis
Cruciata pedemontana
Cymbalaria muralis
Diplotaxis viminea
Draba muralis
Epilobium lanceolatum
Fagus sylvatica
Galium murale
Glaucium flavum
Holcus lanatus
Inula conyza
Juncus ambiguus
Kickxia commutata
Moehringia trinervia
Mycelis muralis
Neotinea intacta = Neotinea maculata
Nepeta cataria
Papaver hybridum
Pinus pinaster
Polygonatum multiflorum
Populus x canadensis
Prunus cerasus
Reseda luteola
Samolus valerandi
Saxifraga bulbifera
Saxifraga rotundifolia
Sinapis pubescens
Spergularia rubra
Tricholaena teneriffae
Viola aethnensis
Viola reichenbachiana
 

21-4-2007: Bronte (Google map)

Anchusa hybrida = Anchusa undulata subsp. hybrida
Asplenium trichomanes
Athyrium filix-femina
Buglossoides arvensis
Colchicum cupanii
Cystopteris fragilis
Cytisus villosus
Erysimum bonannianum
Gagea busambarensis
Herniaria glabra
Holosteum umbellatum
Myosotis sicula
Ornithogalum narbonense
Platanus orientalis
Potentilla calabra
Senecio ambiguus
Senecio siculus
Taraxacum laevigatum
Veronica praecox
Viola arvensis
 

21-4-2007: Francaville (Google map)

Alisma plantago-aquatica
Anchusa italica = Anchusa azurea
Apium graveolens
Celtis australis
Chaerophyllum temulum
Chenopodium murale
Cyperus longus
 

22-4-2007: Airport-Castiglione (Google map)

Chenopodium album
Polygonum hydropiper
Polypogon monspeliensis