A new plant association of the calcareous moist rocks of the Apennines in the Abruzzo region (Italy)

ABSTRACT A new plant association of the calcareous moist rocks of the Apennine chain in the Abruzzo region (Italy) is described here. The association, a Sileno pusillae — Pinguiculetum reichenbachianae (Cystopteridion alliance), was found in spring seepage niches between 1340 and 2490 metres above sea level. An altitude-related feature and contact with the vegetation growing in small nival valleys was observed above 2000 metres. This feature is represented by the soldanelletosum samniticae sub-association.