MASSA – In recent days the news has come that the municipal administration of Massa intends to save the “cornflower” of Ugo Pisa and to clarify the whole affair the Massa and Montignoso section of Italia Nostra has sent this statement: «First of all let’s correct the scientific name which would be exactly Centaurea aplolepa subsa, subciliata discovered a few months ago in the Ugo Pisa park by our expert friend in the sector, prof. Dino Marchetti during an inspection requested by us for a census of the tree species present in the park involved in a renovation project. The census led to an interesting report drawn up by Marchetti where hundreds of plants were listed, all precisely with their names in vernacular and scientific terms and some botanical indications. Among these plants was Centaurea aplolepa, recognized as an arboreal relic almost in extinction and therefore to be protected.” .
«Clearly we sent everything by certified email to the mayor with the indication of the map to be saved, specifying that in addition to being important it was practically almost unknown to the majority of citizens. Subsequently, Marchetti met with the municipality’s agronomist, Mr. Mussi, to whom he suggested collecting the most interesting plants in pots to be placed in suitable places and then inserting them back into the park once the work was completed. I also remember that he had asked if there were any of the members of Italia Nostra willing to take care of him but there was no follow-up. – Italia Nostra continues – To conclude, 10,000 euros are spent for the University of Pisa to take care of the operation, which for us is an extremely stupid decision as it would have been enough to take the plants and place them on the free beach at the mouth of the Fescione. Or you could ask that they be hosted in the bathroom of the Balneari di Poveromo association or in the property of doctor Livia Ottaviani or in the protected and fenced beach of Vittoria Apuana”.
