This is a small, raised area with several woody plants. Some of the plants – many recently introduced – come from the forests in the hills surrounding Bologna (both the Gessi bolognesi and the Apennines around Bologna). Herbaceous plants have been introduced, in conformance with the themes of the woody vegetation. The main elements marking the structure of the grove are: the Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.), with a scaly, rough bark, and alternate and double-toothed leaves 3–10cm long. The distinct fruit clusters of nutlets hang almost 5cm long, which give the tree its common name; the Manna Ash (Fraxinus aunts L.), with flowers in dense panicles produced before the new leaves appear in late spring; the Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.); the true service tree and the wild service tree (Sorbus domestica L. and Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz, respectively); the black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.), a medium size tree that thrives in wet locations.
In springtime, the underbrush is characterised by the beautiful and exuberant blossoms of herbaceous plants with like lungwort (Pulmonaria vallarsae Kerner), periwinkle (Vinca minor L.), hellebore (Helleborus viridis L.) and the Italian arum (Arum italicum Miller). This stemless, toxic species native to Europe has an erect, finger-like spadix covered with minute, creamy white flowers. The spadix is partially enveloped by a large, sheath-like, light green spathe. In summer, the plant develops attractive, bright orange-red berries.
Amongst the shrubs, the most noteworthy are: the guelder rose (Viburnum opulus L.); the firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea Roemer), with typical, small, orange/red berries; the evergreen butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus L.); the common juniper (Juniperus communis L.).
