PhytoKeys 178: 111–146 (2021) A peer-reviewed open-access journal doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.178.62947 CHECKLIST https://phytokeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research An unknown hotspot of plant diversity in the heart of the Central Apennine: flora and vegetation outline of Mt. Pozzoni-St. Rufo valley (Cittareale, Rieti) Edda Lattanzi1, Eva Del Vico2, Roberto Tranquilli3, Emmanuele Farris4, Michela Marignani5, Leonardo Rosati6 1 Via V. Cerulli 59, 00143 Roma, Italy 2 Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy 3 Via Achille Mauri 11, 00135 Roma, Italy 4 Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy 5 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences – Botany Division, University of Cagliari, Via Sant’Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy 6 School of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environment, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy Corresponding author: Eva Del Vico (
[email protected]) Academic editor: Manuel Luján | Received 9 January 2021 | Accepted 9 March 2021 | Published 31 May 2021 Citation: Lattanzi E, Del Vico E, Tranquilli R, Farris E, Marignani M, Rosati L (2021) An unknown hotspot of plant diversity in the heart of the Central Apennine: flora and vegetation outline of Mt. Pozzoni-St. Rufo valley (Cittareale, Rieti). PhytoKeys 178: 111–146. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.178.62947 Abstract Surprisingly enough, Italy still has some botanically unexplored areas; among these there are some territo- ries between Lazio, Umbria and Abruzzo not included in any protected area. The study area, ranging for 340 ha, includes the mountainous area of Mt.