Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20302/NC.2026.35.8
Vascular flora of Kraljevec Forest Park (Zagreb, Croatia)
Nika Gradiščaj
orcid.org/0009-0009-6782-1958
; Osnovna škola Odra, Đačka ulica 5, 10000 Odra, Hrvatska
Sara Essert
orcid.org/0000-0002-2443-0166
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Biološki odsjek, Horvatovac 102a 10000 Zagreb, Hrvatska
Dario Hruševar
orcid.org/0000-0002-8776-9685
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Biološki odsjek, Horvatovac 102a 10000 Zagreb, Hrvatska
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The studied Kraljevec Forest Park represents an urban forest complex located in the immediate vicinity of the very center of the city of Zagreb. It is situated in a colline belt zone and floristically belongs to the Epimedio-Carpinetum betuli community. The survey of vascular flora was conducted during the 2023 vegetation season, recording a total of 262 vascular plant taxa, classified into 78 families and 188 genera. The dominant life forms are hemicryptophytes (40.13 %) and geophytes (17.39 %), while the prevailing floristic elements are Eurasian (47.08 %) and European (17.51 %). Alien species constitute 24.05 % of the flora. Moreover, urbanization indices reveal that the proportion of moderately to strongly urbanophobic taxa (35.29 %) is more than twice as high as that of moderately to strongly urbanophilic taxa (14.9 %). Thirteen invasive species were recorded (Juncus tenuis, Acer negundo, Bidens frondosa, Galinsoga ciliata, Solidago gigantea, Impatiens balfourii, Robinia pseudoacacia, Phytolacca americana, Reynoutria japonica, Duchesnea indica, Veronica persica, Ailanthus altissima, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia), along with two potentially naturalised species with invasive potential (Glyceria striata and Rosa multiflora). Seven species are listed under IUCN threat categories: two as Vulnerable (Taxus baccata and Ilex aquifolium) both of which are also strictly protected in Croatia, three as Least Concern (Galanthus nivalis, Poa annua, and Serratula tinctoria), one as Near Threatened (Cyclamen purpurascens), and one as Data Deficient (Aira caryophyllea). The results of this study contribute to the knowledge of the urban flora of Zagreb and support the recommendation for the official designation of Kraljevec Forest Park as a protected area.
Keywords
biodiversity; chronoelement; ecological indicators values; floral elements; indices of urbanity and anthropogenic changes; life forms; urban flora
Hrčak ID:
344312
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2026.
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