Article

In Sicity thc presence of IIex aquifolium L.. a Tertiary rclict, is nowadays limited to mountainous areas under oceanic climatic conditions. hs occurrence is also subject to the substratum. In the region, holly is usually found in beech-woods and in the adjacent dccidous mesophilous woods; sometimes it occurs in yew or holm-oak formations, or in ripariaan mountainous phytocoenoses. The ecology of this species in the main Sicilian formations has comparatively been surveyed under the phytosociological, bioclimatological and lithologiecl aspects. This sludy has allowed to distinguish some heterotopical holly biotopes from the typical ones. Furthermore, Ihe distribulion of the species in Ihe Sicilian territory has been updated. Finally, the woody vegetation including holly has been arranged within the relevant known syntaxa and , besides, the mesophilous aspects with Quercus ilex have been rererred to a new association within the Pino-Quercion congestae (Quercetalia pubescentis. Qeerco-Fagetea) alliance, named Geranio versicoloris-Quercetum ilicis.