Abstract
Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach is a nanophanerophyte whose presence in Sicily is limited to the South-East of the island. A study on seed germination behaviour of seeds collected from some populations indicates low viability of seedlings which could seriously put the long-term survival of these populations at risk.
Acknowledgements
Financial grant of Catania University (2008) and EU INTERREG IIIB MEDOCC SEMCLIMED Project (2006–2008) supported this study.