GRASSLANDS OF FRIULI (NE ITALY) ON BASIC SUBSTRATES. The natural grasslands on calcareous-dolomitic substrates of Friuli have been classified in fourteen coenoses. They may be grouped into two vegetational classes: Festuco-Brometea and Seslerietea albicantis. Within Festuco-Brometea the Illyrian order Scorzoneretalia villosae has been recognized, with two alliances, Satureion subspicatae, of primitive soils, and Scorzonerion villosae, of more evolved soils. The alliance Satureion subspicatae is subdivided into two suballiances, Satureion subspicatae, of Illyrian-dinaric distribution, and Centaurenion dichroanthae, of Illyrian-prealpine exension, which includes the associations Centaurenion dichroanthae-Globularietum cordifoliae, Saturejo variegatae-Brometum condensati, Bupleuro-Brometum condensati, Schoeno nigricantis-Chrysopogonetum grylli. Within Scorzonerion villosae two suballiances have been defined: the Illyrian-dinaric Scorzonereion villosae and Hypochoeridenion maculatae, of lllyrian-prealpine extension. The last one includes the following coenoses: Chamaecytiso hirsuti-Chrysopogonetum grylli, Onobrychido arenariae-Brometum erecti, Gladiolo palustris-Molinietum arundinaceae, Avenulo praeustae-Brometum erecti, fitocenon with Cirsium acaule and Koeleria pyramidata. Within Seslerietea albicantis (order Seslerietalia caeruleae) only the endemic sud-alpine alliance Caricion austroalpinae has been recognized. The eastern suballiance Ranunculenion hybridi includes the following coenoses: Carici ornithopodae-Seslerietum albicantis, fitocenon with Horminum pyrenaicum, Avenastro parlatorei-Festucetum calvae, Rnnunculo hybridi-Caricetum sempervirentis and Gentiano terglouensis-Caricetum firmae.
