The results of multivariate analysis of the syntaxonomic role of Santolina
etrusca (Lacaita) Marchi et D'Amato, a species endemic to Tyrrhenian centra
l Italy, are reported. Classification was performed by polythetic divisive
analysis using two-way indicator species (TWINSPAN). Ordination analysis wa
s performed by correspondence analysis (CA). Classification and ordination
showed that although Santolina etrusca grows prevalently in communities of
Rosmarinetalia Br.-Bl, ex Molinier 1934, it is ecologically correlated and
associated with entities of unstable nitrophilous communities subject to fr
equent disturbance belonging to an order, Helichryso-Santolinetalia Peinado
and Martinez-Parras 1984, with western eumediterranean distribution. Howev
er it does not have a well defined sociological role, as it is constant in
all community groups.