Phytosociology of Atractylis cancellata and Micromeria microphylla communities in southern Italy with insights on the xerothermic steno-Mediterranean grasslands high-rank syntaxa

In the present paper a phytosociological study on dry grassland communities identified in western sector of Murgia Plateau (Murgia delle Gravine) and Lucanian badlands territory is presented. Forty vegetation releves were carried out using Braun-Blanquet approach. Two new associations characterized by therophytic dominance, namely Lysimachio foeminae-Atractylidetum cancellatae Campanulo erini-Micromerietum microphyllae , are described discussed from syntaxonomic biogeographic viewpoint. addition, data concerning Petrosedum ochroleucum developed limestone outcrops, perennial Hyparrhenia hirta steppe-like grasslands low-altitude areas hills small-size Brachypodium distachyum