Flora
and Fauna Flowers
present on the whole the territory
Besides
having a rightly famous and well frequented
beach, Alassio has an unknown upland worthy
of being known and appreciated by tourists.
Although some flowers only grow in particular
areas of the territory, there are very many
species which have adapted themselves to growing
anywhere, even in places where there is only
a handfull of soil to anchor their roots.
Some species are rather modest in appearance,
others have brightly coloured corollas and they
all contribute to decorate slopes, paths, streams,
banks and roads, brushwood, fields and rocky
areas.
Flowers are so abundant for two main reasons:
the favourable climatic conditions and the natural
composition of the soil. In fact vast areas
of hilly ground are covered by layers of loamy
soil, naturally rich of nutritious elements;
it is composed of very tiny particles and in
case of rain it compacts very easily retains
the water thus allowing the plants to overcome,
without damage, for long dry periods.
Starting the route from the sports ground, after
about a kilometre we reach Marcarino Bend (regione
Serre), recognisable by the growing of Helichrisum:
From this place we can enjoy the exceptional
panorama of the gulf of Alassio. Then, after
going through a wood of oak, pine and helm,
ash and chestnut trees, we reach the church
of San Bernardo which was destroyed by the earthquake
of 1877.
Region Serre
- San Bernardo: the flora
The
flora on the western hill is rather varied and
besides typical Mediterranean species, it includes
others which are typical of the humid and shady
areas of the bush-wood.
The first ones to appear are the whitish stems
of the house leek reaching out for the sun:
these plants growing on dry and rocky soils
prosper near the large bend facing the nearby
Laigueglia.
On the rocky slopes of the promontory grows
an evergreen bush of a characteristic smell,
it is the rosemary of the albiflorus variety
known for its white and very light blue flowers.
Near the tourist complex of “Puerta del Sol”
we find a strip of very white flowers (Tordiillium),
Umbellifers which attract people’s attention
for their petals distributed on two radii.
At the side of the road , a well known medical
plant, the “borsa pastora”, grows
The bend dividing the territory of Alassio from
Laigueglia’s is adorned by a soft carpet of
rosy bindweeds which blossom even during the
Summer months.
Once the coltures of straw flowers have been
passed, the view of the gulf appears in all
its beauty and the Cistus Albidus shows its
delicate red corollas. Farther along, the road
goes through a thick wood of ash. elm, oak and
pine trees.
At the foot of the trees: violets, buttercups,
daisies, bellflowers, violet and pink milkworts
grow.
On the large terrasses facing inland from Alassio
grow some very interesting varieties of orchids.
The northern side of the hill is rich in thyme
which grows in its ideal habitat since it prefers
not too sunny areas.
Flora
of the Pisciavino mountain
On
the fields of this mountain live together like
in mosaic, numerous varieties of plants typical
of the mountain regions, together with vegetation
typical of the Mediterranean flora.
Therefore in spring-time there grows a fascinating
mixture of plants inviting nature lovers to
contemplate this unusual show. This interesting
mixture is to be found on the hilly area stretching
from Castellaro to Mount Tirasso.
In the fields, both in spring and in the Summer,
we can find field mushrooms.
Various kinds of brooms can be seen, the most
common of which is called Spanish broom. It
is a shrub very resistant to cold weather and
drought, rather common in uncultivated places;
it can grow over two meters high, its branches
are cylindrical and have rare lance shaped little
leaves.
Flora of Sant’Anna
ai Monti.
The
intense green of myrtle and the numerous species
typical of the Mediterranean bush make this
a very pretty area. In the small plots of land
one can admire the yellow bushes of the thorny
and common yellow broom. On the edges, small
irregular lavender bushes lift up their violet
bracts to the sunlight.
Thyme, wild marjoram, rue, wild fennel add their
aromas to the sweet scent of brooms and conifers.
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