THE
FLORA
The
most outstanding aspect which distinguishes the flora
on the Monferrato hills is represented by the coexistence
of different types in the territory, coming from different
geographic areas: in fact species that are typical of
warm Mediterranean environments often grow on these hills,
alongside species typical of cold mountain environments.
This peculiarity is explained by the geographic position
of the Piedmont pre-Apennines and by the floristic migration
caused by the geologic events during the Quaternary era,
characterized by the alternation of the ice expansion
and ice regression phases. Signs of these floristic invasions
and colonization are still visible today.
In the warm expositions and on the Monferrato crests many
of the Mediterranean species find the northern limits
of their distribution area: e.g. Inula bifrons, a strong
composite with prickly leaves which give off a lemon and
mint scent; or the slender prematurely blooming Crocus
biflorus which is present only along the Tyrrhenian Coast;
the rare Sedum cepaea; the delicate Crupina vulgaris or
Salvia verbenaca which substitutes the Nordic Salvia pratensis
in the Mediterranean area. Vice versa in the woods exposed
to the north and at the bottom of the valley, some mountain
species that have perpetuated since the ice-age can be
found.
The aconite (Aconitum vulparia); the martagon lily (Lilium
martagon); the bell-flower (Leucojum vernum); the beech
(Fagus sylvatica); the Sylvester pine (Pinus sylvestris);
Daphne mezerem; Potentilla alba, to name but a few, these
are species uniquely spread along the Alpine circle and
in Monferrato. Among the species of the Steppe regions
of south east Europe we remember Cirsium pannonicum which
is found solely in the Orobiche Alps from Trieste to Lake
Como, and is present in Piedmont only on the Crea hills,
where it reaches the extreme western area, along with
the beautiful rare Iris graminea.
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