Distribution

Despite its notable ecological amplitude and plasticity even in face of disturbed environments, Calendula maritima has today a very discontinuous distribution. In fact, its range has undergone a strong and continuous regression during the last 150 years, mostly due to the fragmentation of habitats caused by heavy anthropogenic pressure. As a result, many populations have disappeared due to urbanization and degradation of coastal ecosystems.

In the past, the species was quite widespread all along the coast of north-western Sicily and on several islands and islets of the Egadi Archipelago, including also Isola Lunga of the Stagnone of Marsala. Due to reiterated events of local extinction and the progressive reduction of the overall range, Calendula maritima is currently classified as Critically Endangered of extinction in the IUCN Red List (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) of the threatened species at world level.