New floristic finds in the Forest-Steppe part of Zhytomyr Region

Abstract

Results of the conducted botanical surveys in the Forest-Steppe part of Zhytomyr Region are provided. Nine alien taxa (mainly xenophytes) new for the flora of the Right Bank Forest-Steppe have been identified: Allium altissimum, Amaranthus deflexus, Aphanes arvensis, Artemisia umbrosa, Crataegus sanguinea, Epilobium pseudorubescens, Erigeron strigosus, Polygonum calcatum, and Silene coronaria. Localities of these species are described and botanical-geographical comments are provided for most of taxa. There are also 64 taxa newly reported for the Forest-Steppe part of Zhytomyr Region, of which 31 are native plants, 32 – alien plants, and 1 species of unidentified origin. Twelve taxa are rare and protected at different levels. Invasive plants in need of monitoring are identified among newly reported species. According to the new data, flora of the Forest-Steppe part of Zhytomyr Region includes more than 1320 taxa of vascular plants. An important result was the discovery at the border of Zhytomyr Polissya and the Right Bank Forest-Steppe of localities of five expanding species of the genus Rubus with predominantly Central European ranges: R. bertramii, R. gracilis, R. hirtus, R. montanus, and R. plicatus. Expansion of these species of blackberries in the eastern direction within the territory of Northern Ukraine is associated with natural migration and is probably caused by the gradual climate warming.