Nature
Montecassino (516 meters above sea level) is a hilly offshoot located in the south-eastern position of the Monte Cairo Massif (1,669 meters above sea level). About 694 hectares of territory are part of the Montecassino Natural Monument, established in 2010 by Decree of the President of the Lazio Region, since these are areas of significant naturalistic and historical-archaeological interest.
The vegetation that covers the slopes of Montecassino is closely linked to the geomorphological and climatic characteristics of the area but, in the last 30 years, also to the anthropogenic action represented by arson and overgrazing.
The current vegetation includes both arboreal species typical of the Mediterranean scrub and deciduous broad-leaved trees, especially oaks such as Downy Oak (Querqus pubescens) and Cerro (Quercus Cerris) which are associated with other species characteristic of the hilly areas such as the Black Hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Ten.) and the Manna ash (Fraxnus ornus).
There are also patches of conifers, consisting mainly of Mediterranean pines (Pinus pinaster), deriving from reforestation carried out since the 1950s, carried out both for social reasons and for hydrogeological defense.
Among the flora of the high Mediterranean scrub can be observed, around 200 – 300 meters above sea level. above sea level, species that have resisted arson such as: the Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus, L. 1753) with its red flowers, collected in cylindrical panicle inflorescences, located at the axil of the leaves of the branches; the Olivastro (Olea europea L. var. olivaster), whose presence is distinguished from the cultivated olive tree (Olea europea var. europea) as the latter is present on small terraced spaces, a sign of human care.
Curiosity : the presence of the olive tree grown on the slopes of Montecassino served to indicate to the Benedictine monks and, above all, to the sharecroppers which land belonged to the Abbey of Montecassino so as to distinguish them from those of other owners.
Another species of the Mediterranean scrub is the Laurel (Laurus nobilis L., 1753), an aromatic and medicinal plant that generally has a shrubby habit, but in nature it can reach 10 meters in height, becoming a real tree.
If the laurel is unmistakable for its aromatic scent, another species that stands out at the sight of the walker, for the unmistakable color of its pink-lilac flowers, is the Siliquastro (Cercis siliquastrum, L. 1758) also called “Tree of Judas ”, as it is connected to the ancient belief that this tree is the point where Judas Iscariot himself would have given the famous traitorous” kiss “to Jesus and, later, tormented by remorse, he hanged himself there.
In the same belt of vegetation we meet the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) a shrub or small very branched tree, which is generally found immediately after the wood to form a wall of dense and impenetrable vegetation. Characteristic are its pinkish-white flowers and ripe red fruits, about 1 cm in size.
The Mediterranean scrub also includes some herbaceous lianosae. The Mediterranean honeysuckle (Lonicera implexa) is a bushy evergreen climbing plant, with twining branches, which is often found associated with woody shrubs or trees such as Lentisk or Orniello. Tamaro (Dioscorea communis) which is recognized for its fruits in the shape of globose berries of bright red color gathered in a cluster. The Smilace (Smilax aspera, L.) or Sarsaparilla nostrana, also known by the common name of stracciabraghe, very similar to Tamaro for the structure of the fruit, consisting of dark red berries, gathered in clusters, but different for the shade of the red color .
Curiosity: the name Smilace is linked to the Greek myth of Smilax and Crocus who fell in love with each other at first sight, but the ardent love that united them had caused many ire in Olympus. The Gods opposed with all their strength and did so much that the young man, destroyed by pain, committed suicide. On seeing the desperation of the young nymph, however, the Gods took pity and decided to give life to the two in disguise: she was transformed into the Smilax aspera plant, she was given heart-shaped leaves and became the symbol of their tenacious but exasperated love. . He was transformed into a bright purple flower that represents the pride and boldness of those who dared to fall in love with a deity. Flower with a burning warm heart, the color of the sun in memory of the passion that moved it: saffron indeed.
In the areas that have been characterized by repeated fires and along the semi-rupestrian slopes the trees are less present enough to make room for the garrigue, that is a vegetation consisting of very low shrubs and plants that have the characteristic of recolonizing arid or burned environments, such as: the broom (Spartium junceum L.) or Spanish broom, a small perennial shrub with long green stems called “vermene” that branch off from the woody base. The intense yellow color of its flowers in spring characterizes the hillsides with scattered spots among the green vegetation of the trees; the Sanguinella (Cornus sanguineum) a shrub that can grow up to a maximum of 5 meters, is recognizable for its characteristic red-violet foliage in autumn and for its white and fragrant blooms in late spring; the Saracchio (Ampelodesmos mauritanicus) called in dialect “stramma”, a perennial herbaceous plant with a bushy habit, which means that it has dense tufts of leaves that branch off from the ground at the base of a main stem 1-2 meters high which can reach up to 5 meters . It is very visible in spring and summer, while in the cold season the buds at the base are protected by the litter formed by its tufts of dry leaves; bundled thyme (Thymus longicaulis) a small evergreen shrub with a creeping stem that reaches a maximum height of 15 cm – 20 cm. It is recognized for its small green and leathery leaves and for the pinkish white flowers, which bloom between June and August, much sought after by bees for their rich nectar.
At the edge of the small clearings that open between the arboreal and shrubby vegetation and along the paths that branch off to Montecassino you can meet the Mediterranean Asphodel (Asphodelus ramosus L.), a very rustic plant resistant to adverse weather conditions, whose flowering it lasts throughout March and mid-April and greatly embellishes the surrounding landscape, as its flowers are white, the first to be visited by bees given the scarcity of flowers at this time of year.
Another characteristic species encountered in the open spaces among the woods is the Mullein of Sannio (Verbascum samniticum Ten.), Known as the barbasso yew. It is a very rustic biennial herbaceous plant, consisting of a flower stem that branches off from an oval-shaped rosette of leaves. The flowers are yellow and do not last long and are replaced by those below.
There are also several species of the Euphorbia genus, including the most important the Samnite Euphorbia (Euphorbia gasparrinii subsp. Samnitica, Pignatti), as it is endemic to the regions of central Italy (Abruzzo; Lazio; Marche; Molise).
Curiosity : in ancient times Mullein was widely used for medicinal purposes, but contains toxic principles, especially in the seeds (saponins), while the flowers were used as hair dye . The name of the genus, already used by Pliny, perhaps derives from the Latin ‘barbascum’ (beard), for the showy hairy stem filaments, or much more probably for the dense hairiness of the leaves and stems of many species; the specific name refers to the ancient region of Sannio.
The fauna present on this territory is mainly linked to the type of vegetation.
We find the wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) whose population is in supernumerary, given its reproductive characteristics which can reach up to 12 cubs, it has now colonized even the anthropized environments. Its presence on the territory is attested by the detection of the characteristic footprints present at the edges of the pools of water where they usually roll in the mud to cool off and keep parasites away and also by its excavation works in the surface layer of the soil in search of larvae of insects, tubers and seeds.
The badger (Meles meles L.), a nocturnal mammal that spends the day sleeping in one of the numerous burrows dug in its range and which it often shares with other animals. Typically, it uses natural cavities in the soil and rocks at the base of trees or small natural slopes. The tunnel leading from the entrance to the living room is no less than 5-10 meters long. Several tunnels branch off from the living room that can lead to other rooms or other exits that are used for ventilation and to facilitate escape. It is a carnivorous animal that feeds on insects, reptiles, small mammals and, being a formidable and tenacious adversary, also prey with dimensions comparable to its own or even larger.
The fox (Vulpes vulpes L.), a carnivorous species that usually organizes itself in pairs or in small groups dominated by a reproductive couple and its offspring or by a male with various related females. Grown puppies tend to stay with their parents to assist them in caring for new babies. It prefers woods interrupted by clearings, scrubs and bushes, so that it can easily find refuge.
The hedgehog (Hystrix cristata L.) is a large rodent, with the length of the head and body between 650 and 850 mm. Its peculiarity is to be covered with long black or white bristles on the front and with long spikes in the central part and on the rump. The quills have alternating black and white rings, usually 4 or 5, and end with a long white tip. Their length is variable and can reach 30 cm on the rump. The nuchal crest is formed by long thin hairs up to 45 cm, mainly black. Both the crest and the quills stand up when the animal is fearful or threatened. It lives mainly at night and during the day it takes refuge in caves, in holes under trees or in abandoned dens of other animals and in rocky crevasses. It does not dig its own burrows.
The beech marten (Martes foina), an animal with nocturnal habits that is used as day shelters, caves or ravines sheltered in ancient ruins, in stony ground or in natural cavities of rocks, from which it comes out at sunset or late at night. It is a mainly solitary animal, its range is decidedly extended and included between 15 and 210 hectares, variable according to sex and season. Its diet tends to be carnivorous, it feeds on bird nestlings, rats and with great patience it can also hunt partridges and pheasants but, it does not reject honey thanks to its immunity to bee and wasp stings, berries and bird eggs. Like many predators, the stone marten kills far more prey than its immediate food requirement. This predatory behavior is known as “surplus killing” which may seem meaningless, in reality it is an adaptive strategy of an evolutionary type, to ensure the predator the necessary resources for a better survival.
Curiosity : the “surplus killing”, gave rise to the popular belief, absolutely wrong, according to which this animal feeds mainly, or even exclusively, on the blood of its prey .
The common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) is a small rodent, weighing about 30 grams, belonging to the family of the Gliridae like its cousin the Dormouse.
The Moscardino is recognizable both for its small build and, above all, for the unmistakable color of the bright orange-fawn fur, for its long tail and large black eyes. It lives in environments that have a high plant diversity, which allow it to easily obtain food, fruits, flowers and small insects. It is almost invisible as it lives in trees and has marked nocturnal habits for looking for food, as it retreats to nests in trees during the day. When the first autumn frosts arrive, he descends from the trees to take refuge in the hollows at the base of the tree trunks where he falls asleep for the whole cold season.
The dormouse is a protected species and, being very sensitive to the quality of the habitat in which it lives, it is considered an effective environmental indicator.
The Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium-sized bird of prey of the Accipitridae family that can reach a wingspan of 130 cm.
It is recognizable by its brown plumage and the characteristic clear U-shaped patch on the chest. While, during the flight it is recognizable by the presence of the black bar at the end of the tail and the light spots, more or less large, in the lower part of the wings.
The diet is very varied and consists of rodents, insects, small birds, reptiles. To locate the preys it places itself on the usual perches (poles, telephone wires, dry trees) or carries out very slow patrol flights alternating with momentary suspensions in the air with the wings open in the so-called “holy spirit” position.
Even the courtship flights are spectacular, consisting of high altitude climbs interspersed with steep dives, called “festoons”.
The Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey of the Falconidae family, of medium-small size, the most widespread and easy to observe.
The color of the body differs between male and female: the male has a gray-cerulean head and tail, with a black tail end band, reddish colored above with black flecks, under light cream colored streaked or dark speckled; the female is completely reddish in color above with dense dark stripes, underneath hazelnut or light cream streaked or dark speckled. Both have the upper part of the wing a contrast between the lightest inner part and the darkest outer part.
The kestrel does not build the nest, but occupies that of another bird, or it lays on the frame of a rock or in a hole in a building, on high voltage pylons, in artificial nests or in large holes in trees.
Its diet includes small and medium-sized rodents, small birds, insects and reptiles.
Characteristic is its suspended flight, called “Holy Spirit”, during which it remains totally still in the air, with small beats of the wings and keeping the tail open like a fan, exploiting the wind to remain stable and observe the movement from above. of possible prey, and then launch the attack.
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a bird of prey of the Falconidae family, specialized in the in-flight predation of other birds (jay, wood pigeon, pigeon, etc.). In fact, through mid-air hunting, once the prey has been sighted (even at a distance of more than 1 km), it dives with closed wings at speeds that can exceed 300 km / h, catching it by surprise and hitting it with the rear claw to swing it, and then kill it in flight, or on the ground with its beak.
The peregrine falcon, unlike the kestrel, never does the “holy spirit”, as it is a useful hunting technique for catching insects and rodents that are not part of its diet.
The males are about 15% smaller than the females, even if they have the thick plumage: the upper part is slate-gray, the lower part is light beige with small dark transversal streaks. Unmistakable is the black color of the head and the white plumage of the neck, which bring out the yellow and hooked beak.
The Biancone (Circaetus gallicus) is a diurnal bird of prey belonging to the Accepitridae family, migrating and nesting. In some areas of Sicily it is permanent.
It is a raptor very similar to an eagle, but it is slightly smaller: its dimensions vary between 62 and 69 cm, with a wingspan of 162-185 cm and the female is larger than the male.
The plumage of the abdomen is mainly white, dotted with light brown spots. While, the upper part is gray-brown, with a generally lighter tail and a hazelnut head.
Its diet consists of 90% reptiles (snakes and lizards) 10% of amphibians, small birds and small rodents. Characteristic are the hunting scenes, in which the Biancone alternates vaulting with “holy spirit” stops in mid-air, which allow him to remain stationary to intercept the prey, which will then be captured by a swooping flight. If the wind is absent, it is more likely to settle on trees or rocks, to identify the prey and launch the attack.
The Biancone is a species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive (Directive no. 79/409 / EEC), therefore it is protected and protected within the European territory, as its conservation status is vulnerable.
