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.


BIODIVERSITA' in MONFERRATO Forest Vegetation - The Flora - Mushrooms - The Fauna