Peat florulas in the Madonie Regional Park (Sicily)

The floristic exploration of the eastern slopes of the Madonie Mountains in Sicily, carried out between 1975 and 1980, resulted in the discovery of several hydromorphic environments characterized by a thick peaty horizon. Locally named “margiu” or “triemula”, depending on the lower or higher depth, they host plant communities characterized by some species of Juncus and Carex together with acidophilous bryophytes including some species of Sphagnum. Their ecology as well as their flora and vegetation have been studied (Petronici et al. 1978). In some localities fossil pollens have also been examined (Bertolani Marchetti et al. 1984). Floristic analyses pointed out some phytogeographical patterns (Raimondo & Dia 1978, Raimondo et al. 1980, Raimondo et al. 1981). These data primarily provide the key lecture of some taxa in relation to glacial expansion in the Mediterranean Basin. New floristic data have been reported (Marcenò & Raimondo 1977, Raimondo 1979), and further unpublished data came out during following collections and surveys on the conservation status of this habitat, mostly destroyed by the drainage produced after the gathering up of mineral waters (Raimondo & Spadaro 2003). On the basis of previously collected data and herbarium specimens housed in Palermo (PAL), combined with more recent observations, a survey of the peat flora of the Madonie (Anthophytes, Pteridophytes and Bryophytes) is reported. The biogeographical analysis points out the importance of the boreal taxa, and their character of glacial relicts.