Studio e selezione di piante della macchia mediterranea di valore ornamentale.

The Mediterranean scrub represents a complex ecosystem, characterized by a high biodiversity, consisting mostly of shrubs and rich in numerous species with high multi-purpose value. Given the high ecological importance of these, the main objective of this research was the study and enhancement of some species typical of the maquis, characterized by a high intraspecific variability such as the Arbutus unedo, the Phillyrea latifolia, the Phillyrea angustifolia, and the Pistacia lentiscus. The aim was to identify morphological characters useful for the domestication of the four species and their enhancement for forestry, ornamental and productive uses. Furthermore, it was possible to start a mass selection of ecotypes considered valuable to a first in situ evaluation and subsequently propagated agamically or by seed in the collection field.