Flora vascolare del Capo di Monte Santu (Sardegna centro orientale)

The vascular flora of Capo di Monte Santu (Central-Eastern Sardinia) – The Authors present their study on the flora of Capo di Monte Santu, a calcareous area forming the southern tip of the Gulf of Orosei. Investigation allowed us to identify 381 taxa, belonging to 62 families and comprising 228 genera. Data regarding the biological spectrum show a prevalence of therophytes (49.2%), typical of the regions of the Mediterranean area, followed by hemicryptophytes (21.8%) and geophytes (10.8%). An overview of the chorological spectrum of the flora highlights dominance of the Mediterranean component (78.5%). Amongst the Mediterranean species s.s. (47.2%) we noted greater presence of entities of the Steno-Mediterranean distribution area (25.7%), followed by endemics which with 43 entities constitute 11.3% of total flora. From the chorological point of view, the prevailing element amongst the endemics is the Sardinian (11 taxa) including 5 taxa which are exclusive to the calcareous massif of central-eastern Sardinia. The analysis of rarities, performed by applying Rabinowitz’ categories, shows as being most numerous (86 taxa) species spread over the territory with a restricted ecology and scarce, non-dominant populations (WRS), whereas the least consistent (9 taxa) is that of the species with limited spread over the territory, a wide ecology and scarce and non dominant populations (NBS). Those entities considered worthy of protection based on the IUCN red lists are four in number (Lactuca longidentata, Orchis brancifortii, Polygala saxatilis and Sedum villosum subsp. glandulosum), one entity (Ruscus aculeatus) is listed in Annex V of the Habitat Directive while Annex II of CITES includes all the Orchidaceae (10) and Cyclamen repandum subsp. repandum.