The most interesting species in the flora of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. Fragmenta Floristica et Geobotanica Polonica 7: 117–128, Kraków. PL ISSN 1640–629X. ABSTRACT: In the present study the flora of the exterior horizontal surfaces (roofs, terraces, stairs) of the highest office building (231 m) in Warsaw was investigated. Some groups of species such as phanerophytes, higrophilous and most abundant species were distinguished. The above species differentiated relatively well the flora of the area studied (the Palace of Culture and Science) and other polyhemerobic habitats. A comparative analysis of the flora of the Palace and that of walls and roofs in other Central European cities was also conducted.
The aim of the work was to estimate the specific role that Central European botanic gardens play in the dispersal of alien plants, which results from the wide variety of plants cultivated in the gardens and regular international exchange of plant material between these institutions. We compared the results of recent field studies (in eight Polish botanic gardens) and a review of older literature data and herbarium collections (from Central European botanic gardens). We found that in Poland the proportion of botanic garden escapes was lower (3%) than would be expected from the "tens rule". Botanic gardens have played a considerable role in the development of the synanthropic flora of Central Europe in the last 200 years. We determined a group of species introduced through a network of botanic gardens and propose 5 theoretical patterns to describe the mode and pathways of the early stages of introduction of these species.
Historical records of weeds associated with botanical gardens in Central Europe. Fragmenta Floristica et Geobotanica Polonica 11(2): 293–317. Kraków. PL ISSN 1640-629X. ABSTRACT: A total of 187 species of vascular plants which had been recognized as weeds in botanical gardens (literature data supplemented by informations from Polish herbarium collections). The records dated back to 19th and 20th centuries and obtained from 65 botanical gardens in Central Europe (and 5 gardens established in other parts of the continent). The majority of plants included on the list occurred locally and temporarily. However, botanical gardens were important dispersion centres of some aliens, such as Chamomilla suaveolens, Galinsoga parviflora, Impatiens parviflora, Euphorbia humifusa and E. maculata.
Results of the studies on the floristic biodiversity of the kurgans in the Pontic desert steppe of the Black Sea Lowland (Kherson Region) are presented. Twenty-six of about 130 kurgans higher than 3 m, distributed over an area of approx. 1500 km2, were surveyed and the flora of 5 microhabitats within every kurgan (top, southern and northern slope, southern and northern foot) was examined. The richness of the kurgan flora is estimated at 305 species. Species of alien origin constituted 23% of the total flora, which indicates limited anthropogenic influence. Species of two classes, Festuco-Brometea and Stellarietea mediae were predominant, which also confirmed the semi-natural character of the kurgan flora. The lowest number of species was recorded on top, which was relatively rich in synanthropes, particularly therophytes (Stellarietea mediae). The north side was richer in species than the south side of the kurgans. Steppe species were the most stable and important component of the flora of the slopes (45-47% of the species represented the class Festuco-Brometea). The total flora of the foot contained more species and was more diversified than the flora of the slopes (although the mean number of species was similar in both habitats), but each species occurred at low frequency. There was a higher proportion of species which were introduced from the area surrounding the kurgans, e.g. weeds, halophytes, meadow species, as well as trees which are rarely found in the desert steppe zone. In spite of the small size of the kurgans, significant differences between the floristic composition of the various microhabitats were detected.