Many plants that only grow in urban areas find a
specific niche there that mimics the growing conditions in its natural range or
habitat. It is therefore not uncommon to find Mediterranean plants or species
mostly associated with mountains and rocky outcrops in Dutch and Flemish water
cities originally built in swampy and wet terrain. Especially less hardy
species benefit from a stony environment as this material radiates solar energy
during the night, thus creating the so-called urban heat island effect.
Verbascum -also known as Mullein- grows best in dry
places, like here at the foot of a traffic sign at the side of the pavement. Cudweed
(Helichrysum
luteoalbum) can be found everywhere in the world. It favours
disturbed soils and is very much at home in an urban environment. The plant
tolerates wet winters making it an ideal pioneer for the Low Countries! Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium) grows on many soils in open places. As the plants are
drought tolerant and expand with underground runners they are often found in
the city; here nestling in the gap between the pavement and a building.
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