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The logo of the MPA “Torre del Cerrano” Management Association. The MPA Logo has been created joining together two typical elements of the area: Rolli’s Sand Crocus (Romulea Rollii) and the Adriatic Trivia shell (Trivia Multilirata). Both are representative of the protected wildlife and are very rare in other Adriatic areas. They can be found in two main habitats of the Marine Protected Park: coastal sand dunes and open sea.
The Symbols of the MPA
Adriatic Trivia (Trivia multilirata) in the beach area of Torre Cerrano.
Trivia Multilirata is probably the rarest shell of its class and is typical of the Adriatic sea, that’s why it is often called Adriatic Trivia. It is very difficult to find it in beach areas. Its class is that of Gasteropods, wonderful tiny molluscs whose name literally means “those which walk on their belly”. They can build the most special shells.
Among Trivia shells, that are very similar to the well-known Cipree of tropical seas, the “Adriatic shell” is definitely the most beautiful, with its lightness and multicoloured aspect, in fact its colour is a mix of violet and rose while its lower part has a white nuance. Furthermore it is formed of thick spirals in relief which make it look like a precious jewel.
Blooming of Rolli’s Sand Crocus (Romulea Rolli) in Torre Cerrano
Rolli’s Sand Crocus is a small plant of Iridaceae family, the same family as the well-known crocus and saffron. Thanks to its underground organs, it can resist to high and dry summer temperatures. It blooms between February and March and its flower, with a diameter of about 1.5-2 cm, emerges from the sand together with its thin and long leaves that have a cylindrical and twisted shape. It can be found only on sandy beaches of the Mediterranean. The presence of this plant in Italy is uncommon because of anthropic disturbance, in particular in the Adriatic coast where there are only a few specimens. Its presence on Abruzzo beaches was last documented by Giuseppe Zodda in 1967 and since then Rolli’s Sand Crocus was thought to have disappeared. But expert botanists recently documented and photographed the presence and the blooming of this beautiful flower in the area of Torre Cerrano, in particular behind the dunes.
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