Common polypody

This attractive woodland fern takes both its scientific and common names from the creeping, hairy rhizomes (underground horizontal stems) that grow in a spreading mat, near or at the soil surface. Fronds that are deeply divided into 10 to 18 pairs of leaflets appear at intervals along the rhizomes. On the bottom side of the fronds reproductive spores are produced in conspicuous oval spore cases.

Habitat: Wooded hillsides and stream banks, in rocky nooks and crannies, and at the base of trees in deep to dappled shade. Mid-to upper elevation zones.

Scientific name: Polypodium australe Fee

sin. Polypodium vulgare var. serrayum Willd.

Italian common name: Polypodio meridionale

English common name: Common polypody

African wood-sorrel

Native to South Africa, this highly invasive perennial plant has become a naturalized weed in many agricultural regions of the world. African wood-sorrel grows from a small bulb and the leaves that form a broad rosette of leaves at the base of the plant are divided into heart-shaped leaflets. Showy clusters of 5-petaled flowers develop on slender stalks. In Sicilian olive and citrus groves African wood-sorrel often grows in dense colonies that spread a glowing blanket of bright yellow blooms beneath the trees throughout winter and spring.

Scientific name: Oxalis pes-caprae

Italian common name: Acetosella degli

English common name: African wood-sorrel

Field marigold

During the first two weeks of January, generous rains coming in from Africa have encouraged heavy flowering of this attractive native. Don't be misled by the common name in English. This plant is not closely related to the well-known garden marigold of the genus Tagetes. The Sicilian Field marigold is a much-branched, herbaceous annual with lance-shaped leaves and single, daisy-like flower heads. The edible petals can be added to salads to make a more colorful presentation.

Scientific name: Calendula arvensis

Italian common name: Fiorrancio selvatico

English common name: Field marigold

Italian cypress

Known almost universally in English as Italian cypress, this evergreen is actually not native to Italy. Instead, its range is thought to extend from the eastern Mediterranean, into north Africa and western Asia. The tree on the left in the attached photo shows the broad, pyramidal shape and horizontal branching habit of the parent species, C. sempervirens. To the right in the same photo, the narrow, columnar form and upright branching pattern of the cultivar 'stricta' can be seen. Both types have been cultivated throughout Italy for many centuries. The leaves are tiny, scale-like and dark green. Female (seed) cones are rounded or oblong, golf ball-sized and covered with 5 to 8 pairs of woody scales.

Scientific name: Cupressus sempervirens, C. sempervirens 'stricta'

Italian common name: Cipresso

English common name: Italian or Mediterranean cypress, Columnar Italian cypress

Old man's beard

In autumn this vigorous perennial vine loses its 3 to 5 parted leaves, but the seed heads with their attractive, feathery white plumes persist longer, into winter. The faintly fragrant white to greenish-white flowers from which the seed heads grow make quite a show in spring and summer. These flowers have no true petals, just 4 sepals and a crowed mass of stamens and pistils, the reproductive organs of the plant. The fast-growing, woody stems of Old man's beard creates a dense foliage mass that can overwhelm the understory tree or shrub that support them. In some areas where it is adapted this plant is considered a noxious weed. Here in Sicily it may be seen climbing into woodland trees, and over small trees and shrubs of the maquis vegetation type.

Scientific name: Clematis vitalba

Italian common name: Clematide vitalba

English common name: Old man's beard

European Juno Iris

A native Sicilian iris that flowers in December? As a matter of fact, yes. This species is dwarf (to 15 cm. or 6 in. tall), grows from a bulb rather than a rhizome, and has fleshy storage roots. It's often found growing on sunny, rocky hillsides and slopes at mid-elevation locations. This is the only European representative of the Juno iris type. At this time of year the lovely flowers are displayed against arching, sickle-shaped, glossy green leaves. Don't search for the plant in summer. It passes that hot dry season in a dormant, leafless state.

Scientific name: Iris planifolia

Italian common name: Giaggiolo bulboso

English common name: European Juno iris