A new <i>Asphodelus ramosus</i>-dominated association from the Murge Plateau (SE Italy)

Abstract The plant communities dominated by Asphodelus ramosus are quite common in the Mediterranean Basin, especially most degraded vegetation stages caused grazing and fires. aim of this paper is to provide a phytosociological description -dominated community Murge Plateau, southeastern Italy, through 28 relevés. Cluster analysis (flexible Beta method) ordination (non-metric multidimentional scaling) were used compare with other dry grassland associations same area from Italy western Balkans. results allowed new association for Plateau: Gelasio columnae-Asphodeletum ramosi . has been tentatively classified alliance Hippocrepido glaucae-Stipion austroitalicae ( Scorzoneretalia villosae order), because presence several species typical alliance, although it intermediate between more thermophilous Lygeo sparti-Stipetea tenacissimae class.