Field Guide to Metropolitan City of Florence’s Flora · Fauna · Funga A NOTE FOR EXPLORERS This guide is meant to inspire exploration and learning. Always verify species identification using multiple sources, especially for edible or medicinal plants and mushrooms. Stay safe: Never consume wild species without expert confirmation. Observe wildlife from a respectful distance and follow local regulations. Species data and images sourced from iNaturalist.org. Consider contributing your own observations and/or supporting their work. Metropolitan City of Florence Field Guide 1 FLORA Common Ivy Hedera helix This evergreen vine clings to surfaces using rootlets, thriving in moist, shady areas. Tree-Of-Heaven Ailanthus altissima A fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, known for its invasive nature and strong odor. It thrives in disturbed areas and urban environments. Italian Arum Arum italicum A flowering perennial in the Araceae family, this species features spring blooms and red fruit, thriving in various regions. Bird’S-Eye Speedwell Veronica persica A widespread flowering plant with weak stems, serrated leaves, and sky-blue flowers. Common in disturbed habitats worldwide. Spanish Broom Spartium junceum Vigorous deciduous shrub native to the Mediterranean, featuring rush-like shoots and fragrant yellow flowers. Invasive in some regions. Cypress Spurge Euphorbia cyparissias A plant native to Europe, it thrives in disturbed areas and features green-yellow bracts that mature to purple or red. Metropolitan City of Florence Field Guide 2 FAUNA Italian Sparrow Passer italiae A small, chunky bird found in Italy and the Mediterranean, it exhibits features of both house and Spanish sparrows and thrives in urban areas. Rock Pigeon Columba livia The rock dove is a grey bird with distinctive wing bars, found in open habitats globally. It nests on cliffs and human structures. Common Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis This small, variable lizard thrives in rocky and urban habitats across Europe and North America, displaying diverse coloration and morphs. European Toad Bufo bufo A widespread amphibian in Europe, this toad is often found in forests and gardens. It has a distinctive wart-like skin and is nocturnal. Italian Wall Lizard Podarcis siculus A common lizard in Italy, this species thrives in diverse habitats and exhibits rapid evolution, with numerous subspecies and unique behaviors. Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula A widespread thrush found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, known for its melodious song and adaptability to various habitats. Metropolitan City of Florence Field Guide 3 FUNGA Oakmoss Evernia prunastri A bushy lichen found on tree bark, with greenish to yellow-green thalli. Notable for its fragrance, it’s used in perfumery. Turkey-Tail Trametes versicolor A common polypore mushroom, it features a tongue-shaped cap with colorful concentric zones. Grows on decaying wood in groups. Common Greenshield Lichen Flavoparmelia caperata A medium to large foliose lichen with a pale yellow-green upper cortex, it grows on tree bark and rocks, featuring smooth to wrinkled lobes. Red-Banded Polypore Fomitopsis pinicola This stem decay fungus, common in temperate forests, decomposes wood and creates wildlife habitat, influencing ecosystem dynamics. Netted Shield Lichen Parmelia sulcata A foliose lichen with a circular thallus, it thrives on bark, wood, and rocks, serving as a bioindicator of air quality globally. Common Sunburst Lichen Xanthoria parietina A vibrant yellow-orange lichen found on tree bark and rocks, known for its pollution tolerance and ecological adaptability. Metropolitan City of Florence Field Guide 4 PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS • Ailanthus altissima - (c) stinger, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Arum italicum - (c) zebedeugalinha, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Bufo bufo - (c) John Witton, some rights re- served (CC BY) • Columba livia - (c) Christoph Moning, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Euphorbia cyparissias - (c) Rita Petro- vskaya, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Evernia prunastri - (c) John Hibbard, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Flavoparmelia caperata - (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Fomitopsis pinicola - (c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Hedera helix - (c) Marianna Boi, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mari- anna Boi • Parmelia sulcata - (c) Corvi Zeman, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Passer italiae - (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Podarcis muralis - (c) Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Podarcis siculus - (c) Jonathan Tollin, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Spartium junceum - (c) zebedeugalinha, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Trametes versicolor - (c) Christine Young, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christine Young • Turdus merula - (c) Luiz Lapa, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Veronica persica - (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Xanthoria parietina - (c) Terra Occ, some rights reserved (CC BY)