A contribution to the floristic knowledge of a less known Langhe area: the regional Park of Bric Tana

In this paper updated data about vascular flora of Bric Tana Regional Park, the smallest park in Liguria, are reported. Bibliographic analysis and field researches were carried out between 2009 and 2012. The Park is located at the extreme southern part of Langhe, within Liguria boundaries. It is a Site of Community Interest too, but from a botanical point of view, it appears to be a less known area: even the floristic researches made by Giacinto Abbà, the main botanist who studied the flora of Langhe, concern only partially the area of Bric Tana Regional Park. The floristic inventory reports 479 taxa, many of which of conservation interest, and many Orchids never observed before in the area (Cephalanthera damasonium, C. rubra, Epipactis atrorubens, E. helleborine, Listera ovata, Ophrys fuciflora, O. apifera, Orchis anthropophora, O. tridentata, O. ustulata). Some other rare species, already observed by Abbà, have been confirmed (Matteuccia struthiopteris, Aquilegia atrata, Adoxa moschatellina, Erythronium dens-canis...). A comparison with some other protected areas in Liguria and Piedmont show the remarkable floristic richness of the park, which should be better protected by environmental decay and simplification.