Calendula maritima
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Calendula maritima faces severe threats from coastal development and tourism infrastructure along Sicily's Mediterranean coastline, which has destroyed much of its specialized sandy beach habitat. The species is further threatened by trampling from beachgoers and vehicles, while invasive plant species compete for the limited suitable coastal areas where this endemic calendula can survive.
Habitat
This endemic species occupies sandy beaches, coastal dunes, and maritime grasslands along the Mediterranean coast of Sicily. It thrives in well-drained sandy soils with high salt tolerance, typically growing within the immediate coastal zone where few other plant species can survive the harsh maritime conditions.
