We the Italians October 19, 2015 - 70 | Page 60

th # 70 • OCTOBER 19 , 2015 Flora The Park of Gallipoli Cognato provides a rare show of vegetation: trees, flowers and unique species in the wild. The mantle of vegetation is diversified depending on altitude, exposure and humidity, with the presence of oak (Quercus cerris) as the more widespread arboreal exemplary. In quotas between 800 and 1,000 meters (0.5 and 0.62 miles) above sea level we can find specimens of wild apple (Malus sylvaticum), field maple (Acer campestre), maple fig (Acer obtusatum) that, in the fall, create large red spots. different arboreal layers: the first, dominant, consisting of oaks (Quercus cerris and Quercus petraea), dominates the second of maple, hornbeam and limes. At the highest altitudes we also meet hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and Holly (Ilex aquifolium). At this altitude, the vegetation becomes dense and sometimes impenetrable with trees often covered with mighty ivy stems. Near the Dolomites of Lucania, close to Pietrapertosa, chestnut woods appear; important are the Onosma Lucana, exclusive endemic species, and Linaria Dalmatic with yellow flowers: the cliffs of PieIn Bosco Montepiano, trapertosa are one of the near Accettura, they are rare areas of its currently columnar oaks and two known presence in Italy. 60 | WE THE ITALIANS www.wetheitalians.com In the areas where the vegetation is more regular and less dense, woods have many plants such as ferns, cyclamen, white and blue anemones; in the clearings we can also find the deep yellow flowers zafferanastro (Sternbergia lutea) and the Knautia Lucana, another endemic species exclusive in the area. Along the slopes of Mount Caperrino, covered with turkey oak and pastures, in spring we can observe large blooms of orchids, anemones and buttercups. The many trails in the Park will allow you to live an unaffected nature, never without surprises.