Urban(ised) areas often have a specific flora, due to
specific growing conditions found there. This can be the result of a difference
in microclimate, availability of water, soil type, presence of a suitable
vector for dispersal, presence of suitable pollinators and the lack of
predation. As urban areas are warmer due to the heat-island-effect one can see
plants usually associated with the Mediterranean in Belgium and Central Germany
and central European species in South Sweden. As these plants often have
variable flowering times they provide more food for, for instance, insects, so
the populations of hoverflies, bees and bumblebees can be considerably higher
in the city then in the countryside!
The Welsh Poppy (Meconopsis cambrica) grows in the
hills and mountains of Britain, France and Spain, but is equally at home in the
shade of an old city wall in Würzburg. Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) is a
striking plant with its blue flowers. This relative of the forget-me-not can
quickly colonise barren sandy or gravely soils. Here it grows happily in a German
parking lot. Nonesuch (Medicago lupulina) is also known as Medick or Bur
clover. It can be found in the wild in pastures on sandy soils, but it also
grows very well between the wide gaps of this half-open paving (aimed at
reducing rainwater run-off and promoting water infiltration).
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