Phytosociological study on the Laurus nobilis communities in the Hyblaean Mountains (SE Sicily)

The communities of Laurus nobilis L. occurring in some places of Hyblaean M ountains (SE Sicily), are investigated. This vegetation is clearly autochth onous and show a relict character. The laurel is localized in some calcareo us gorges and in volcanic northern slopes of Mt. Lauro and is closely linke d to peculiar microclimatic conditions of oceanic type, due to damp soils a nd high atmospherical humidity. From floristic and structural features two types of communities can be distinguished, the Hedero helicis-Lauretum nobi lis linked to limestones, hitherto known from the Iberian Peninsula and bel onging to the Pistacio-Rhamnetalia alaterni, and the Lauro-Quercetum virgil ianae ass. nov., a forest type of the Quercetalia ilicis growing on marls a nd basalts, occurring in the Hyblaean area and Latium. The syntaxonomical, ecological and syndynamical settings are discussed by a comparison with rel ated communities described from other Mediterranean territories.