- Homepage
- The Environment
- Actualités
- Building up French snowflake populations in the Principality of Monaco
Building up French snowflake populations in the Principality of Monaco
The French snowflake (Acis nicaeensis) is a herbaceous plant notable for its small, white, drooping flowers. It particularly likes chalky soils and is often found in rocky clefts or dry, rocky grasslands. The species, which is endemic specifically to the Alpes-Maritimes region, is today considered in danger of extinction.
In the Principality, the plant, an important part of local heritage, is found in three locations: on the Rocher (Glacis to Rampe Major), on the Tour de l’Eperon (Chemin des Pêcheurs) and in the cliffs of the Sainte-Dévote valley.
A general decline in French snowflake populations has been noted in recent decades. The plant is endangered primarily by urbanisation and invasive exotic species. Keen to preserve its natural heritage, the Prince’s Government has therefore embarked on a major action plan to maintain these populations. There are several goals: improving understanding, preserving and restoring the plant’s natural habitats, building up plant populations, etc.
With this in mind, an extensive replanting programme was initiated by the Department of the Environment in 2019, with the collection of more than 1,500 seeds planted at the Conservatoire botanique national méditerranéen de Porquerolles (CBNMed, National Mediterranean Botanical Conservatory of Porquerolles), a partner of the initiative.
More than 900 seedlings are to be replanted on 5 and 6 October on the rocky slopes beneath the Palace (Glacis) and in the Saint-Martin Gardens. Several actors are involved in this vast operation: teams from the Prince’s Palace Management and Gardens, the Department of Urban Amenities, the Exotic Garden, CBNMed and the Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE).
To ensure the success of the effort, the sites will be monitored by scientists on a regular basis. Similar operations to build up the population will be scheduled over the coming years as part of the local French snowflake action and management plan.
Autres actualités du thème
![Arbres Club Allemand - Céline Caron-Dagioni et Wilma Lämmle dévoilent une plaque commémorative en mémoire d’Eugen Lämmle à l’occasion de la plantation d’arbres-bouteille ©DR Arbres Club Allemand - Céline Caron-Dagioni et Wilma Lämmle dévoilent une plaque commémorative en mémoire d’Eugen Lämmle à l’occasion de la plantation d’arbres-bouteille ©DR](/var/monaco/storage/images/media/presse/images-et-galeries/arbres-club-allemand/6025379-1-fre-FR/Arbres-Club-Allemand_otherNews.jpg)
The International German Club supports the National Biodiversity Strategy
![Tour de France 2009 - Tour de France 2009 © Direction de la Communication Tour de France 2009 - Tour de France 2009 © Direction de la Communication](/var/monaco/storage/images/media/presse/images-et-galeries/tour-de-france-2009/6024918-1-fre-FR/Tour-de-France-2009_otherNews.jpg)
Tour de France 2024: what traffic arrangements will be in place for the Monaco-Nice stage?
- The latest news of the Responsible Trading and Responsible Restaurant Certifications
- A guide to banning single-use plastic bags: A bag for life
- Guide to responsible, safe bathing in the Principality
- The Tree Code
- The Environment in the Principality of Monaco – Data Compendium
- Monaco Environment booklet
![Your suggestions : click here to share your opinions with us Your suggestions : click here to share your opinions with us](/var/monaco/storage/images/portail-du-gouvernement/contenus-additionnels/bannieres/vos-suggestions/1244902-7-eng-GB/Your-suggestions-home.png)