Orto botanico di Montemarcello

Italy, Italy

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The Orto Botanico di Montemarcello is a nature preserve and botanical garden located within the Parco Naturale Regionale di Montemarcello-Magra near Ameglia in the Province of La Spezia, Liguria, Italy.

Situated atop Mount Murlo at 365 meters elevation within the Caprione promontory, a hill system dividing the Gulf of La Spezia from the Magra river plain, the garden offers spectacular panoramic views of the Alpi Apuane and the Magra river mouth. The garden was inaugurated in 1999 and is included in the network of botanical gardens, botanical gardens, and nurseries of protected areas of the Liguria Region.

It contains plants indigenous to the region, including Arbutus unedo, Phillyrea latifolia, Pinus halepensis, Pistacia lentiscus, Rhamnus alaternus, Quercus cerris, Quercus ilex, Quercus pubescens, as well as Psoralea bituminosa, Ruta angustifolia, and Thymus vulgaris. The garden is divided into sections representative of the Caprione flora, features protected species of the Liguria Region such as the dwarf iris and wild orchids including flashy Provence orchids (Orchis provincialis) and Serapias neglecta, and includes an information center, guest accommodation, and equipped rest areas.