Article

Nuraghes are megalithic structures with a truncated conic tower, even more than twenty metres tall, with a circular plan and a central chamber covered by a faux vault. Some of these towers were fortified with turreted ramparts, often bordered by large walls to create imposing structures. Built from the sixteenth to the twelfth century BC, with over 7,000 monuments, they characterise the whole of Sardinia. These structures, which have been reused for various purposes up to this very day, feature a very diverse flora ranging from lichens to bryophytes and from small herbs to large trees. There are 385 nuraghes with plant names belonging to 80 different species. The analysis of the flora at 21 sites, located in the various parts of the island, ranging from sea level up to a maximum altitude of 1200 m, has led to the identification of 220 species living on the walls of the towers, on the ramparts and walls and on the roofs. The various components of the life-forms and the role that plants play in the broader ecological and landscape context are highlighted.