Phytosociological features of Adonis distorta and Trifolium noricum subsp. praetutianum, two endemics of the Apennines (peninsular Italy)

We present plant communities in which two endemic taxa of the Apennine mountain chain, Adonis distorta Ten and Trifolium noricum Wulfen subsp. praetutianum (Savi) Arcang are distributed. Although these taxa occur sporadically in some other Apennine massifs, it is only in the Majella mountain range where these species are physiognomically dominant. Trifolium noricum subsp praetutianum behaves as a differential element in Helianthemo-Festucetum italicae, where it characterizes a new edapho-mesophilous subassociation named Helianthemo alpestris-Festucetum italicae trifolietosum praetutiani. Adnois distorta is linked to specific geo-morphotypes characterized by an alternation of strips of detritus and fine soil particles as well as to distinguishable communities described in this paper as a new association named Ranunculo seguierii-Adonidetum distortae.