Orto Botanico Forestale dell'Abetone, Botanical garden and museum in Fontana Vaccaia, Abetone Cutigliano, Italy
The Orto Botanico Forestale dell'Abetone is a botanical garden near Abetone Cutigliano that displays around 300 plant species from the northern Apennine Mountains. The collection includes firs, beeches, birches, ferns, and alpine flowers set within their natural mountain habitat.
The garden was established in 1987 through support from the Tuscany Region and state forestry authorities to document mountain vegetation. The project brought together regional institutions and universities to study and preserve forest ecosystems.
The name refers to a local spring, reflecting how mountain plants have long been part of regional life and knowledge. Walking through, visitors see how alpine species grow together and relate to their surroundings.
The garden is open during warmer months and provides walking paths to observe mountain plants in their natural setting. It is helpful to wear comfortable shoes and prepare for elevation changes and uneven ground.
The garden maintains specialized collections of silver fir, a rare and delicate tree species from the highest Apennine peaks. This tree thrives here at its preferred elevation, showing why this place matters for preserving fragile mountain forests.
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