Species identification

Feature settings

Location

Systematics

Choose the location of the plant

By choosing a reference point, you specify the center of a circle with radius of 5 km. The suggestions will contain only taxons present in the circle. Pladias contains only findings from Czechia, the vicinity of state borders will affect the quality of suggestions due to incomplete data.

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Choose a taxon

Group

Family

Genus

Selecting a taxon in a field to the left limits the listing of taxons to the right.

Habitus and growth type

Height

Plant heights are relevant for the Czech Republic. They are measured in metres and relate to fully developed mature generative plants growing in the wild. Each taxon is characterized by two values: minimum (lower limit of the common range) and maximum (upper limit of the common range). The data were taken from the Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kaplan et al. 2019).

Data source and citation

Kaplan Z., Danihelka J., Chrtek J. Jr., Kirschner J., Kubát K., Štěpánek J. & Štech M. (eds) (2019) Klíč ke květeně České republiky [Key to the flora of the Czech Republic]. Ed. 2. – Academia, Praha.

Range of values: 0–70 m (meter).

Insert value: m

Growth form

Growth form describes the potential life span of the plant and its parts (ramets), its reproductive strategy and durability of its aboveground parts (Klimešová et al. 2016, Ottaviani et al. 2017). Here the growth form is classified into nine categories, which also consider herbaceous vs woody nature of the stem. Annual herbs live for one season only and reproduce by seed usually in the same season in which they germinated. They may but need not be clonal; their clonality typically does not result in fragmentation. Perennial herbs are divided into three categories: (i) monocarpic perennial non-clonal herbs, which reproduce sexually only once in their life and do not possess woody aboveground parts or organs of clonal growth, (ii) polycarpic perennial non-clonal herbs, which reproduce sexually several times during their life and do not possess organs of clonal growth, and (iii) clonal herbs, which possess organs of clonal growth enabling them to make fragments during their life and to form independent units (ramets) by vegetative reproduction; the whole plant reproduces sexually several times during its life, while individual ramets may reproduce once or several times during their life. The other categories include woody plants, which may but need not possess organs of clonal growth and may be able or not of fragmentation and vegetative reproduction. The woody plants are divided into dwarf shrubs (woody plants lower than 30 cm, also including suffruticose plants with erect, herbaceous shoots growing from woody stems at the base, which die out in autumn except for the lowest part with regenerative buds), shrubs (woody plants higher than 30 cm, branched at the base), trees (woody plants with trunk and crown), woody lianas and parasitic epiphytes, which include only two species of the Czech flora, Loranthus europaeus and Viscum album.

Data were partly taken from the aggregated CLO-PLA 3.4 database (Klimešová et al. 2017). The CLO-PLA categories were further divided into separate categories for herbaceous vs woody plants, and taxa not included in CLO-PLA were added.

Data source and citation

Dřevojan P. (2020) Growth form. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

Klimešová J., Nobis M. P. & Herben T. (2016) Links between shoot and plant longevity and plant economics spectrum: Environmental and demographic implications. – Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 22: 55–62.
Klimešová J., Danihelka J., Chrtek J., de Bello F. & Herben T. (2017) CLO-PLA: a database of clonal and budbank traits of the Central European flora. – Ecology 98: 1179.
Ottaviani G., Martínková J., Herben T., Pausas J. G. & Klimešová J. (2017) On plant modularity traits: functions and challenges. – Trends in Plant Science 22: 648–651.

annual herb

monocarpic perennial non-clonal herb

polycarpic perennial non-clonal herb

clonal herb

dwarf shrub

shrub

tree

woody liana

parasitic epiphyte

Life form

Life form classification follows the system of Raunkiaer (1934), which is based on the position of the buds that survive the unfavourable season. Macrophanerophytes are woody plants that bear the surviving buds at least 2 m above the ground, usually trees; nanophanerophytes are woody plants with surviving buds 0.3–2 m above the ground, usually shrubs; chamaephytes are herbs or low woody plants with surviving buds above the ground, but not more than 30 cm above it; hemicryptophytes are perennial or biennial herbs with surviving buds on aboveground shoots at the level of the ground; geophytes are perennial plants with surviving buds belowground, usually with bulbs, tubers or rhizomes; hydrophytes are plants with surviving buds in water, usually on the bottom of water bodies; therophytes are summer- or winter-annual herbs that survive the unfavourable season only as seeds germinating in autumn, winter or spring.

The data on life forms were taken from the Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kaplan et al. 2019). Newly added alien taxa were assigned to the categories of life forms based on the FloraVeg.EU database (Dřevojan et al. 2022). Some taxa can belong to more than one life form. In such cases, the dominant life form is listed first.

Data source and citation

Further references

Dřevojan P., Čeplová N., Štěpánková P. & Axmanová I. (2022) Life form. – www.FloraVeg.EU.
Raunkiaer C. (1934) The life forms of plants and statistical plant geography. – Clarendon Press, Oxford.

macrophanerophyte

nanophanerophyte

chamaephyte

hemicryptophyte

geophyte

hydrophyte

therophyte

Life span

Life span and the number of generative reproduction cycles are adopted from the BiolFlor database (Krumbiegel 2002). Monocarpic and polycarpic pluriennial plants are also known as hapaxanthic and pollakanthic, respectively.

Data source and citation

Krumbiegel A. (2002) Morphologie der vegetativen Organe (außer Blätter). – In: Klotz S., Kühn I. & DurkaW. (eds), BIOLFLOR: eine Datenbank mit biologisch-ökologischen Merkmalen zur Flora von Deutschland, Schriftenreihe für Vegetationskunde 38: 93–118.

annual

biennial

pluriennial-monocarpic

pluriennial-polycarpic

Leaf

Leaf presence and metamorphosis

Data on the presence of leaves on the plant, their metamorphoses and reductions are based on the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010) and the Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kubát et al. 2002).

Data source and citation

Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds) (1988) Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic]. Vol. 1. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Hrouda L. & Skalický V. (eds) (1990) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Kirschner J. & Křísa B. (eds) (1992) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 3. – Academia, Praha.
Kubát K., Hrouda L., Chrtek J. Jr., Kaplan Z., Kirschner J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2002) Klíč ke květeně České republiky [Key to the flora of the Czech Republic]. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Štěpánková J. (eds) (2000) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 6. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Tomšovic P. (eds) (1997) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 5. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Smejkal M., Dvořáková M. & Grulich V. (eds) (1995) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 4. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Štěpánková J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2004) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 7. – Academia, Praha.
Štěpánková J., Chrtek J. jun. & Kaplan Z. (eds) (2010) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 8. – Academia, Praha.

leaves present, not modified

leaves modified to spines

leaves modified to tendrils

leaves modified to phyllodes

leaves modified to pitchers

leaves reduced to collars

leaves reduced to sheaths

leaves reduced to scales

leaves absent

Leaf arrangement (phyllotaxis)

Four basic types of leaf arrangement are distinguished: alternate, opposite, verticillate (whorled) and rosulate (in the basal rosette). The character is assessed in well-developed plants, i.e. not in individuals re-sprouting after damage by mowing or grazing or those with teratological modifications. More than one character state may occur (e.g. Hylotelephium jullianum and Salix purpurea) in some taxa: all character states are recorded in such cases.

In some plants, the arrangement of frondose bracts in the inflorescence is assessed separately (e.g. true leaves in Veronica persica and V. polita are opposite, while bracts are alternate). Leaves with interpetiolar stipules found in the Rubiaceae family are considered as whorled. The leaves in Rhamnus cathartica are considered as opposite, although in most cases they are sub-opposite.

The information was extracted mainly from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). In cases of uncertainties, mainly for alien taxa, additional sources were consulted, including the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan).

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Leaf arrangement. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

Flora of North America Editorial Committee (eds) (1993) Flora of North America North of Mexico. – Oxford University Press, New York.
Flora of Pakistan. – http://www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan
Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds) (1988) Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic]. Vol. 1. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Hrouda L. & Skalický V. (eds) (1990) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Kirschner J. & Křísa B. (eds) (1992) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 3. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Štěpánková J. (eds) (2000) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 6. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Tomšovic P. (eds) (1997) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 5. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Smejkal M., Dvořáková M. & Grulich V. (eds) (1995) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 4. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Štěpánková J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2004) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 7. – Academia, Praha.
Štěpánková J., Chrtek J. jun. & Kaplan Z. (eds) (2010) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 8. – Academia, Praha.
Wu Z., Raven P. H. & Huang D. (eds) (1994) Flora of China. – Science Press, Beijing & Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.

alternate

opposite

verticillate

rosulate

Basic leaf shape

A distinction is made between simple and compound leaves. Although this character is considered simple and unambiguous, in many cases there are transitions between simple and compound leaves, especially between pinnatisect and pinnate leaves. Leaves with linear or filiform segments, including the bi-, tri- or even more-pinnatisect or palmatisect leaves (e.g. stem leaves in Batrachium fluitans, Cardamine pratensis and the genus Seseli) are classified as simple (dissected) leaves. In contrast, leaves with wider segments attached to the rachis by a distinct constriction or a petiolule (e.g. stem leaves in Cardamine dentata or ground leaves in Pimpinella saxifraga) are classified as compound. Heterophyllous taxa are assigned both character states. Leaves with more than one division level are classified based on the first level of division: those with a petiolule or a clear constriction at the base of the first-order segments are considered as compound. In contrast, pedate leaves (e.g. Helleborus) are classified as simple. The parasitic plants with rudimentary (vestigial) leaves (e.g. Cuscuta) and the plants with phylloclades replacing the vestigial leaves (e.g. Asparagus) are assigned the character state “leaves reduced”.

The information was extracted mainly from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988 onwards). In uncertain cases, mainly for alien taxa, further sources were consulted, including the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan).

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Basic leaf shape. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

simple

compound

reduced

Simple leaf division

As there is a striking variation in the division (dissection) of a simple leaf, only basic types are considered, derived from the leaf venation. The distinction is made between palmately divided (e.g. Alchemilla), pinnately divided (e.g. Achillea millefolium), forked (e.g. Batrachium, Ceratophyllum and Utricularia) and pedate (e.g. Helleborus) leaves. The assessment is related to well-developed leaves. In many taxa, transitions are found between simple leaves with a dentate or serrate margin, and simple divided (pinnately or palmately lobed) leaves. Only the leaves with the lamina divided to at least one-quarter of their width are considered as divided. Many taxa with varying leaf division are assigned to more than one character state.

The information was extracted mainly from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). In uncertain cases, mainly for alien taxa, further sources were consulted, including the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan).

Data source and citation

Grulich V. & Štěpánková P. (2017) Simple leaf division. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

entire

palmately divided

pinnately divided

forked

pedate

Compound leaf shape

The basic distinction is made between palmately and pinnately compound leaves. The taxa that have both ternate and pinnate leaves, the latter with two pairs of leaflets (e.g. Aegopodium podagraria and some other species of the Apiaceae family), are assigned to both character states. The degree of division in pinnately compound leaves indicated here relates to well-developed leaves, especially to the basal part of the lamina. Taxa with multiple pinnately compound leaves are assigned to two or more character states based on the level of division, but very small leaves, which may correspond to simple leaves, are not considered. In heterophyllous taxa, all types of leaves are assessed, and the taxon is assigned to two or more character states. However, less divided leaves found in juvenile plants of some taxa are not considered as heterophylly.

The information was extracted mainly from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). In uncertain cases, mainly for alien taxa, further sources were consulted, including the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan).

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Compound leaf shape. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

ternate

palmate (5-foliate)

palmate (7-foliate)

palmate (8- and more-foliate)

imparipinnate

paripinnate

interruptedly pinnate

bipinnate

tripinnate

quadripinate

Stipules

Stipules, i.e. paired leaflike appendages at the base of the petiole or sessile leaf blade, can be present or absent. Caducous stipules, i.e. those disappearing soon after the leaf blade has developed (e.g. Prunus), are considered as present. The interpetiolar stipules, morphologically indistinguishable from true leaves and together forming whorls (e.g. Rubiaceae), are considered as true stipules. In contrast, stipules modified into glands (e.g. Lotus) or hairs (e.g. Portulacaceae) are not considered as stipules here.

Information about the presence of stipules was extracted from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). In cases of uncertainties, mainly concerning alien taxa, descriptions in the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan) were consulted.

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Stipules. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

present

absent

Petiole

Leaf petiole can be present or absent. In some plants, it can be present in some leaves but absent in others. The data were extracted from the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010), the Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kubát et al. 2002), the New Hungarian Herbal (Király et al. 2011) and the Excursion Flora of Germany (Jäger & Werner 2000).

Data source and citation

Prokešová H. & Grulich V. (2017) Petiole. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds) (1988) Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic]. Vol. 1. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Hrouda L. & Skalický V. (eds) (1990) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Kirschner J. & Křísa B. (eds) (1992) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 3. – Academia, Praha.
Jäger E. J. & Werner K. (eds) (2000) Rothmaler, Exkursionsflora von Deutschland. Band 3. Gefäßpflanzen: Atlasband. Ed. 10. – Spectrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg & Berlin.
Király G., Virók V. & Molnár V. (eds) (2011) Új Magyar füvészkönyv. Magyarország hajtásos növényei: ábrák [New Hungarian Herbal. The vascular plants of Hungary: Figures]. – Aggteleki Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság, Jósvafő.
Kubát K., Hrouda L., Chrtek J. Jr., Kaplan Z., Kirschner J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2002) Klíč ke květeně České republiky [Key to the flora of the Czech Republic]. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Štěpánková J. (eds) (2000) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 6. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Tomšovic P. (eds) (1997) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 5. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Smejkal M., Dvořáková M. & Grulich V. (eds) (1995) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 4. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Štěpánková J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2004) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 7. – Academia, Praha.
Štěpánková J., Chrtek J. jun. & Kaplan Z. (eds) (2010) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 8. – Academia, Praha.

present

mainly present

both present and absent

mainly absent

absent

Leaf life span

Leaf life span is a functional trait important for plant competitiveness. It depends on the climate in the distribution range of the taxon and microclimate, nutrient and light availability in typical habitats of the taxon. The data were taken from the BiolFlor database (Klotz & Kühn 2002).

Data source and citation

Klotz S. & Kühn I. (2002) Blattmerkmale. – In: Klotz S., Kühn I. & Durka W. (eds), BIOLFLOR: eine Datenbank mit biologisch-ökologischen Merkmalen zur Flora von Deutschland, Schriftenreihe für Vegetationskunde 38: 119–126.

overwintering green

spring green

summer green

evergreen

Leaf deciduousness in woody plants

Leaves of different woody plant species have distinct phenological patterns. Most species of Central European woody plants have winter-deciduous leaves, while a small proportion has evergreen (persistent-green) leaves. Semi-deciduous leaves are rare, occurring mainly in cultivated species. The category of winter semi-deciduous leaves includes only the leaves that are at least partly green in winter, not marcescent leaves, which die out in autumn and remain attached, in a dry state, to the maternal plant over the winter (e.g. young individuals of Quercus).

Data on leaf deciduousness were extracted from the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010), Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kaplan et al. 2019), floras of some other countries, and complemented by original observations.

Data source and citation

Štěpánková P. & Grulich V. (2020) Leaf deciduousness in woody plants. – www.pladias.cz

Further references

Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds) (1988) Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic]. Vol. 1. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Hrouda L. & Skalický V. (eds) (1990) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Kirschner J. & Křísa B. (eds) (1992) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 3. – Academia, Praha.
Kaplan Z., Danihelka J., Chrtek J. Jr., Kirschner J., Kubát K., Štěpánek J. & Štech M. (eds) (2019) Klíč ke květeně České republiky [Key to the flora of the Czech Republic]. Ed. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Štěpánková J. (eds) (2000) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 6. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Tomšovic P. (eds) (1997) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 5. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Smejkal M., Dvořáková M. & Grulich V. (eds) (1995) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 4. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Štěpánková J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2004) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 7. – Academia, Praha.
Štěpánková J., Chrtek J. jun. & Kaplan Z. (eds) (2010) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 8. – Academia, Praha.

evergreen

winter deciduous

winter semi-deciduous

drought semi-deciduous

Leaf anatomy

Leaf anatomy is an important ecological adaptation which helps plants to optimize photosynthesis under various environmental conditions. It reflects especially the availability of water (Klotz & Kühn 2002). Succulent and scleromorphic leaves are adapted to dry conditions. Both of them have thickened epidermis and cuticle, but the former develop a water-storage tissue while the latter have mechanisms to promote water transport in periods of water availability. Mesomorphic leaves are adapted to less dry conditions; hygromorphic leaves to shady conditions that rarely suffer from drought; helomorphic leaves to oxygen deficiency in swampy soils; and hydromorphic leaves to gas exchange in the water. The most common type in the Czech flora is mesomorphic leaves. The data were taken from the BiolFlor database (Klotz & Kühn 2002), which contains an extended and corrected version of the dataset published by Ellenberg (1979).

Data source and citation

Further references

Ellenberg H. (1979) Zeigerwerte der Gefäßpflanzen Mitteleuropas. Ed. 2. – Scripta Geobotanica 9: 1–122.

succulent

scleromorphic

mesomorphic

hygromorphic

helomorphic

hydromorphic

Functional leaf type in woody plants

Functional leaf types in woody plants, often used for physiognomic classification of forest and scrub vegetation, are distinguished based on their morphology, anatomy and life span. Most angiosperm woody plants of the central-European flora have broad deciduous or semi-deciduous leaves, which have a large specific leaf area. The other leaf types are, with rare exceptions (Larix), perennial and usually called evergreen. Needle-like and scale-like leaves occur in conifers and some species of Ericaceae. Sclerophyllous leaves are flat but have a strongly developed sclerenchyma, which causes their toughness. They are usually small coriaceous leaves with small specific leaf area, adapted to dry climate. Laurophyllous leaves are larger and thinner than sclerophyllous leaves and have a smaller amount of sclerenchyma. In most cases, they are dark green, smooth and shiny. These leaves are adapted to year-round wet climates with mild winters. A few species that are difficult to assign to these categories are classified as “special type”.

The data on functional leaf types were taken from the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010), Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kaplan et al. 2019), floras of some other countries, and complemented by original observations.

Data source and citation

Štěpánková P. & Grulich V. (2020) Functional leaf type in woody plants. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds) (1988) Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic]. Vol. 1. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Hrouda L. & Skalický V. (eds) (1990) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Kirschner J. & Křísa B. (eds) (1992) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 3. – Academia, Praha.
Kaplan Z., Danihelka J., Chrtek J. Jr., Kirschner J., Kubát K., Štěpánek J. & Štech M. (eds) (2019) Klíč ke květeně České republiky [Key to the flora of the Czech Republic]. Ed. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Štěpánková J. (eds) (2000) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 6. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Tomšovic P. (eds) (1997) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 5. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Smejkal M., Dvořáková M. & Grulich V. (eds) (1995) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 4. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Štěpánková J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2004) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 7. – Academia, Praha.
Štěpánková J., Chrtek J. jun. & Kaplan Z. (eds) (2010) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 8. – Academia, Praha.

needle-like

scale-like

broad deciduous or semi-deciduous

sclerophyllous

laurophyllous

special type

Flower

Flowering period

The months of the beginning and end of flowering in the Czech Republic are given. The data were taken from the Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kaplan et al. 2019) with minor updates.

Data source and citation

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Flower colour

Flower colour is reported for nearly all angiosperms except duckweeds (Araceae p. p.) and some hybrids for which data on flower colour were not available.

If a species has more than one flower colour, all colours are reported irrespective of their frequency. This approach is used both for species that regularly form populations with different flower colours (e.g. Corydalis cava and Iris pumila) and for species with occasional occurrence of deviating flower colour (e.g. albinism in Salvia pratensis or pink flowers in Ajuga reptans). However, the whole range of variation is not fully reported in cultivated plants, for which some cultivars of different colour may be ignored (e.g. Gladiolus hortulanus and Callistephus chinensis). In plants with flowers of two colours (e.g. Cypripedium calceolus), both colours are reported. In plants with multi-coloured flowers (e.g. the variegated lip in Ophrys apifera) the predominant colour is reported.

If the flower has a well-developed perianth, the reported flower colour relates to the corolla or the tepals of the homochlamydeous perianth. If such a flower has bracts of a contrasting colour (e.g. Melampyrum nemorosum), their colour is not considered. If the corolla or the homochlamydeous perianth is not developed, the flower colour is based on the calyx (e.g. Daphne mezereum), bracts (e.g. Aristolochia clematitis), the system of bracts and bracteoles in the inflorescence (Euphorbia) or the involucre on secondary peduncles (Bupleurum longifolium). In species of Araceae with spadix and spathe of contrasting colours (e.g. Calla palustris) both colours are reported. The colour of the whole inflorescence is reported for some plants with reduced flowers (e.g. Betula, Salix, some Cyperaceae and Typhaceae). Spikelets in Poaceae are reported as green disregarding a possible violet tint; exceptions include the Melica ciliata agg. and Cortaderia that are reported as white. Also in other, rare cases, the inflorescence colour is reported as flower colour (e.g. green in Ficus carica). In Asteraceae, the colours of the disk flowers and ray flowers are reported separately if the ray flowers are developed and have a contrasting colour (e.g. Bellis perennis). The colour of the involucrum is reported for species with tiny flower heads and indistinct flowers (e.g. Artemisia campestris and Xanthium) and for “immortelles” (e.g. Helichrysum and Xeranthemum).

Information on flower colour is partly based on the field knowledge, partly obtained from various photographs and descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). In the taxa that are not reported in the Flora of the Czech Republic, as well as in unclear cases (especially in alien species), other sources were used, especially the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (http://www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan).

Data source and citation

Štěpánková P. & Grulich V. (2019) Flower colour. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

white

yellow-white

green-white

green

yellow-green

yellow

orange

pink

pink-violet

red

red-violet

violet

blue

blue-violet

brown

red-brown

black

Flower symmetry

Flowers of angiosperms are either zygomorphic (with bilateral symmetry) or actinomorphic (with radial symmetry). This character is not reported for taxa with achlamydeous flowers and taxa with strongly reduced or rudimentary perianth or with a perianth modified into scale-like or setaceous structures. However, it is reported for taxa with the perianth reduced to a corolla-like calyx (e.g. Aizoaceae and Daphne) and in taxa with flowers surrounded by complex structures combining bracts with the proper perianth or petal-like staminodes and stamens (e.g. Canna). Spiral and spirocyclic flowers, though actually asymmetric, are classified as actinomorphic in Nymphaeaceae and most species of Ranunculaceae. In contrast, in some other members of Ranunculaceae (e.g. Aconitum and Delphinium), they are classified as zygomorphic. Bisymmetric flowers (in the Brassicaceae family and the genera Dicentra and Lamprocapnos) are consistently classified as actinomorphic. Both zygomorphic and actinomorphic flowers are reported for taxa with both symmetry types (e.g. Succisa pratensis).

The information about flower symmetry was extracted from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). If some uncertainty occurred, particularly in some alien taxa, the descriptions in the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan) were consulted.

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Flower symmetry. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

actinomorphic

zygomorphic

Perianth type

Perianth (perigon), i.e. the non-reproductive part of the angiosperm flower, can be classified into heterochlamydeous and homochlamydeous. Heterochlamydeous flowers are divided into calyx and corolla. In homochlamydeous flowers, calyx and corolla are indistinguishable. Perianth or some of its parts can be reduced or absent; flowers with no perianth are called achlamydeous.

In Apiaceae, the presence of the calyx teeth is assessed as a reduced calyx; if these teeth are not visible, the calyx is considered as absent. In Asteraceae, the presence of a pappus, scales or a collar-like structure is considered as a reduced calyx; if no such structures are present, the calyx is considered as absent. In Cyperaceae, the presence of perianth bristles is assessed as a reduced perianth. All members of the Poaceae family are considered as plants with a reduced perianth. The perianth in the genus Basella is arbitrarily classified as a reduced calyx though it is also often considered as a reduced homochlamydeous perianth. The character states “homochlamydeous, sometimes absent” and “homochlamydeous, reduced or absent” mean that in one plant some flowers may have a well-developed or reduced perianth, while other flowers may be achlamydeous (e.g. Atriplex).

The information was extracted mainly from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). For the taxa not treated in that flora or if uncertainties occurred, mainly concerning some alien taxa, the descriptions in the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan) were consulted.

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Prokešová H. & Štěpánková P. (2017) Perianth type. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

homochlamydeous

homochlamydeous, sometimes reduced

homochlamydeous, sometimes reduced or absent

homochlamydeous, sometimes absent

homochlamydeous, reduced or absent

calyx and corolla

calyx and corolla, corolla reduced or absent

calyx and corolla, corolla sometimes absent

calyx present, corolla sometimes reduced

calyx present, corolla reduced

calyx present, corolla reduced or absent

calyx present, corolla sometimes absent

calyx present, corolla absent

calyx reduced, corolla present

calyx sometimes absent, corolla present

calyx absent, corolla present

calyx absent, corolla sometimes present

reduced

reduced or absent

flower achlamydeous

Perianth fusion

This characteristic of angiosperm flowers is assessed either as a fusion of the corolla or, in homochlamydeous taxa (e.g. Amaryllidaceae, Liliaceae and Orchidaceae) as a fusion of the whole perianth. It is not assessed in achlamydeous groups (e.g. Salix) and plants with a strongly reduced or rudimentary perianth or with the perianth modified in scale-like or setaceous structures with a varying number of bristles, which may be free (e.g. in Cyperaceae) or partially fused (e.g. in most of Poaceae). The perianth of such plants is considered as reduced. The perianth in the genus Aristolochia is also classified as reduced (neither fused nor free): it is modified to scales situated at the bottom of a tube-like structure formed by fused bracts. Both primary character states are assigned to the taxa with unisexual male and female flowers that differ in the fusion of the perianth (e.g. Cannabis). A similar approach is used in the taxa in which some flowers are homochlamydeous while others are achlamydeous (e.g. Atriplex).

The basic information was extracted from the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). If some uncertainty occurred, especially for alien taxa, other sources were consulted, including the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan).

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Perianth fusion. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

free

fused

reduced

Shape of the sympetalous corolla or syntepalous perianth

This characteristic of angiosperm flowers is not assessed for achlamydeous groups (e.g. Salix) and plants with a strongly reduced or rudimentary perianth or with the perianth modified in scale-like or setaceous structures (e.g. Cyperaceae and Poaceae). In Amaranthaceae and the genus Cannabis, the perianth is recognizable, and the degree of its fusion could be assessed, but not its shape. If the corolla or the perianth have an intermediate shape between two character states, the taxon is assigned to both of them. Many sympetalous corollas and syntepalous perianths have unique shapes that are difficult to match to general classification categories. The taxa with such shapes are classified to an auxiliary category “special type” (e.g. Canna, Cyclamen, Dicentra, Gladiolus, Impatiens and Iris).

The basic information was extracted from the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). In uncertain cases, especially in some alien taxa, other sources were consulted, including the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan).

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Shape of the sympetalous corolla or syntepalous perianth. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

urceolate

bilabiate

ligulate

rotate

funnel-shaped

hypocrateriform

personate

labiate

tubular

campanulate

filiform

special type

Calyx fusion

The calyx of angiosperm flowers can be fused into a calyx tube (synsepalous calyx) or composed of distinct sepals (aposepalous). In some plants (especially in Asteraceae) the calyx is modified into a ring of fine feathery hairs called the pappus. Taxa with both synsepalous and aposepalous calyx (e.g. Platanus) are classified as “synsepalous and aposepalous”. A cup-shaped tube formed of fused sepals, petals and stamens is called hypanthium. However, hypanthium may also be interpreted as a product of an intercalary growth of the floral axis (receptacle) up and around the carpels, forming a cup-shaped structure, sometimes even fusing with the outer walls of the carpels and making the ovary inferior. In most genera of the Onagraceae family, the hypanthium forms a floral tube fairly overtopping the apex of the ovary.

The data were taken from the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010), the Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kubát et al. 2002), the New Hungarian Herbal (Király et al. 2011) and the Excursion Flora of Germany (Jäger & Werner 2000).

Data source and citation

Prokešová H. & Grulich V. (2017) Calyx fusion. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds) (1988) Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic]. Vol. 1. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Hrouda L. & Skalický V. (eds) (1990) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Kirschner J. & Křísa B. (eds) (1992) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 3. – Academia, Praha.
Jäger E. J. & Werner K. (eds) (2000) Rothmaler, Exkursionsflora von Deutschland. Band 3. Gefäßpflanzen: Atlasband. Ed. 10. – Spectrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg & Berlin.
Király G., Virók V. & Molnár V. (eds) (2011) Új Magyar füvészkönyv. Magyarország hajtásos növényei: ábrák [New Hungarian Herbal. The vascular plants of Hungary: Figures]. – Aggteleki Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság, Jósvafő.
Kubát K., Hrouda L., Chrtek J. Jr., Kaplan Z., Kirschner J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2002) Klíč ke květeně České republiky [Key to the flora of the Czech Republic]. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Štěpánková J. (eds) (2000) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 6. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Tomšovic P. (eds) (1997) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 5. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Smejkal M., Dvořáková M. & Grulich V. (eds) (1995) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 4. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Štěpánková J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2004) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 7. – Academia, Praha.
Štěpánková J., Chrtek J. jun. & Kaplan Z. (eds) (2010) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 8. – Academia, Praha.

aposepalous

fused at the base

synsepalous and aposepalous

synsepalous

pappus

hypanthium

Inflorescence type (key)

Inflorescence types follow the morphological system used in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vol. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). As the Czech terminology used for inflorescences does not match the English terminology, we use Latin terms in the English version of the Pladias database. The exact identification of the inflorescence type is often equivocal because of varying interpretations of the same object. In species with unisexual flowers, male and female flowers can occur in different inflorescence types. In other cases, it is not possible to identify the inflorescence without detailed knowledge of evolutionary morphology, e.g. umbella vs. pseudumbella in the genus Butomus. There are also compound inflorescences, in some cases with very different structure of their parts, especially in Asteraceae, which can have even triple inflorescences (e.g. Echinops often has an anthella ex anthodii capitulis composita).

The information was extracted mainly from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vol. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). For the taxa not treated in that flora or if some uncertainties occurred, mainly concerning some alien taxa, descriptions in the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and Flora of Pakistan (http://www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan) were consulted. In critical groups (e.g. the genus Rubus), especially in recently described species, inflorescence type was taken from original sources.

Data source and citation

Grulich V. & Štěpánková P. (2019) Inflorescence type. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

cyanthium

capitulum

racemus

corymbothyrsus

corymbus

amentum

spica

spicula

anthella

flores solitarii

panicula

panicula ex anthodiis composita

pseudospica

pseudumbella

verticillastrum

pseudoracemus

umbella

spadix

umbella composita

fasciculus

syconium

strobilus

bostryx

anthodium

rhipidium

dichasium

cincinnus

Fruit, seed and dispersal

Basic fruit type

The basic classification of fruit types is into dry and fleshy.

The information about fruit type was extracted mainly from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). For the taxa not treated in that flora or in case of uncertainties, especially regarding alien taxa, descriptions in the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994) and the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan).

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Basic fruit type – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

fleshy

dry

Fleshy fruit type

Fleshy fruits are classified based on the scheme outlined in the first volume of the Flora of the Czech Republic (Slavíková 1988), which consistently uses the typological method. This means that fruits are classified based purely on their morphology following the formal definitions of the fruit type, regardless of the fruit type found in closely related species or genera. Fleshy false fruits of the genera Basella, Ficus, Maclura, Morus, Nuphar and Nymphaea are merged into a separate category.

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Fleshy fruit type – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

Flora of North America Editorial Committee (eds) (1993) Flora of North America North of Mexico. – Oxford University Press, New York.
Flora of Pakistan. – http://www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan
Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds) (1988) Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic]. Vol. 1. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Hrouda L. & Skalický V. (eds) (1990) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Kirschner J. & Křísa B. (eds) (1992) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 3. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Štěpánková J. (eds) (2000) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 6. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Tomšovic P. (eds) (1997) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 5. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Smejkal M., Dvořáková M. & Grulich V. (eds) (1995) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 4. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Štěpánková J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2004) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 7. – Academia, Praha.
Slavíková Z. (1988) Terminologický slovník [Terminological dictionary]. – In: Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds), Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic] 1: 130–153, Academia, Praha.
Štěpánková J., Chrtek J. jun. & Kaplan Z. (eds) (2010) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 8. – Academia, Praha.
Wu Z., Raven P. H. & Huang D. (eds) (1994) Flora of China. – Science Press, Beijing & Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.

berry

pome

drupe

head of one-seeded drupes

hip

special type

Dry fruit type

Dry fruits are classified based on the scheme outlined in the first volume of the Flora of the Czech Republic (Slavíková 1988), which consistently uses the typological method. This means that fruits are classified based purely on their morphology following the formal definitions of the fruit type, regardless of the fruit type found in closely related species or genera.

One-seeded fruits in Brassicaceae (e.g. Crambe) are classified as achenes, not siliculas. Indehiscent two- and more-seeded fruits in the same family, breaking mainly in constrictions (e.g. in Bunias and Raphanus), are consistently classified as a loment, even if the fruit breaks into two distinct parts, of which one is one-seeded and the other, of strikingly different shape, two- or more-seeded and dehiscent, such as in Rapistrum rugosum. A similar approach is used for the classification of fruits in Fabaceae. Dehiscent fruits of most taxa are classified as legumes, while indehiscent two- and more-seeded fruits breaking into single-seeded parts (e.g. in Hippocrepis and Securigera) are classified as loments. One-seeded indehiscent fruits (e.g. in Onobrychis and Trifolium) are classified as achenes. Two- or more-seeded indehiscent fruits (e.g. in Sophora japonica and Vicia faba) are also classified as legumes. The fruits of all Euphorbia species are classified as capsules, although in some cases the seeds are not released.

The information about fruit type was extracted mainly from the descriptions in the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010). For the taxa not treated in that flora or in case of uncertainties, especially regarding alien taxa, descriptions in the Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), the Flora of China (Wu et al. 1994), the Flora of Pakistan (www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan), and Flora Iberica (Castroviejo et al. 1986; the latter for the Fabaceae family) were consulted.

Data source and citation

Grulich V., Holubová D., Štěpánková P. & Řezníčková M. (2017) Dry fruit type. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

Castroviejo S., Laínz M., López González G., Montserrat P., Muńoz Garmendia F., Paiva J. & Villar L. (eds) (1986) Flora Iberica. Plantas vasculares de la Península Ibérica e Islas Baleares. – Real Jardín Botánico, Madrid.
Flora of North America Editorial Committee (eds) (1993) Flora of North America North of Mexico. – Oxford University Press, New York.
Flora of Pakistan. – http://www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan
Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds) (1988) Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic]. Vol. 1. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Hrouda L. & Skalický V. (eds) (1990) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 2. – Academia, Praha.
Hejný S., Slavík B., Kirschner J. & Křísa B. (eds) (1992) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 3. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Štěpánková J. (eds) (2000) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 6. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Chrtek J. jun. & Tomšovic P. (eds) (1997) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 5. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Smejkal M., Dvořáková M. & Grulich V. (eds) (1995) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 4. – Academia, Praha.
Slavík B., Štěpánková J. & Štěpánek J. (eds) (2004) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 7. – Academia, Praha.
Slavíková Z. (1988) Terminologický slovník [Terminological dictionary]. – In: Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds), Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic] 1: 130–153, Academia, Praha.
Štěpánková J., Chrtek J. jun. & Kaplan Z. (eds) (2010) Květena České republiky [Flora of the Czech Republic]. Vol. 8. – Academia, Praha.
Wu Z., Raven P. H. & Huang D. (eds) (1994) Flora of China. – Science Press, Beijing & Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.

disciform breaking into mericarps

pair of nutlets

cremocarp

double samara

legume

follicle

achene/cypsela/samara

nut enclosed in an utricle

caryopsis

nut

schizocarp

cluster of follicles

head of achenes

lomentum/transversely dehiscent siliqua

siliqua

silicula

capsule

cluster of four one-seeded nutlets

dry schizocarp with an apical beak

Fruit colour

Data on fruit colour according to the Flora of the Czech Republic (vols. 1–8; Hejný et al. 1988–1992, Slavík et al. 1997–2004, Štěpánková et al. 2010) and the Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kubát et al. 2002). Fruit colours are standardized into ten colours. A single dominant colour of ripe fruit is reported for each taxon.

Data source and citation

white

green

yellow

orange

violet

red

blue

brown

grey

black

Belowground organs and clonality

Shoot metamorphosis

Shoot metamorphoses are modifications of the shoot that involve the development of different structures for special tasks such as vegetative spread or storage. Data about shoot metamorphoses are adopted from the BiolFlor database (Krumbiegel 2002).

Data source and citation

stolon

stolon with tuberous tip

stolon with bulbous tip

rhizome

stolon-like rhizome

pleiocorm

rhizome-like pleiocorm

shoot tuber

bulb

bulbil

brood shoot

turion

shoot thorn

shoot tendril

shoot succulence

assimilating shoot

Trophic mode

Parasitism and mycoheterotrophy

Plant parasitism is based on either of two mechanisms. The first group of parasitic plants involves those parasitizing directly on another plant. These plants are called haustorial parasites. They take resources from the host’s vascular bundles using a specialized organ, the haustorium. The second group comprises mycoheterotrophic plants, which parasitize fungi via mycorrhizal interaction and gain organic carbon from them.

Plants in both groups display variable dependence on their host organism. The haustorial parasites include two distinct functional groups: green hemiparasites and holoparasites. Green hemiparasites are partial parasites that retain photosynthetic ability but obtain all mineral resources and a part of the organic carbon from the host. Holoparasites are non-green full parasites unable to photosynthesize. Location of the haustorial attachment to the host (root or stem) is another essential functional trait. The distinction between partial and full parasitism in haustorial parasites may not be straightforward. In the Czech flora, it is nevertheless possible to distinguish between stem hemi- and holoparasites, which are difficult to separate on the global scale (Těšitel 2016). Consequently, we use a traditional classification here and classify as holoparasites those plants that are in adulthood mostly without chlorophyll, even though some of them might have some chlorophyll and perform residual photosynthesis (e.g. Cuscuta).

In mycoheterotrophic plants, there is a continuum from initial mycoheterotrophs through partial mycoheterotrophs to full mycoheterotrophs. In the initial mycoheterotrophs, only initial stages, i.e. gametophytes or seedlings, are dependent on the fungus, whereas adult plants are autotrophic, while still depending on mycorrhizal symbiosis as a source of water and mineral nutrients. In the partial mycoheterotrophs, photosynthesizing adults obtain from their mycorrhizal fungi not only water and mineral nutrients but also different amounts of organic carbon. The full mycoheterotrophs lost their chlorophyll and are thus fully parasitic. In some partial mycoheterotrophs (e.g. the genus Cephalanthera), chlorotic individuals can be found, which lack chlorophyll and fully depend on their hosts.

Classification of haustorial parasites follows Těšitel (2016) with a further distinction of stem hemi- and holoparasites, and identification of mycoheterotrophs follows Merckx (2012).

Data source and citation

Těšitel J., Těšitelová T., Blažek P. & Lepš J. (2016) Parasitism and mycoheterotrophy. – www.pladias.cz.

Further references

Těšitel J. (2016) Functional biology of parasitic plants: a review. – Plant Ecology and Evolution 149: 5–20.
Merckx V. S. F. T. (2012) Mycoheterotrophy: the biology of plants living on fungi. – Springer, Berlin.

autotrophic

root hemiparasite

stem hemiparasite

root holoparasite

stem holoparasite

partial or initial mycoheterotroph

full mycoheterotroph

Carnivory

Carnivorous plants attract, trap and kill their prey, animals (mainly insects and small crustaceans) and protozoans, and subsequently absorb the nutrients from their dead bodies.

Data source and citation

carnivorous

non-carnivorous

Ecology

Light relationship

The light relationship is defined through Ellenberg-type indicator value at the scale from 1 to 9 as defined for the Czech flora by Chytrý et al. (2018). Indicator values for trees relate to juvenile individuals in the herb and shrub layers. In the identification key, values of 1, 2, 3 were merged into the shady sites category, values of 4, 5, 6 into the semi-shady sites category and values of 7, 8 and 9 into the insolated sites category.

Data source and citation

Chytrý M., Tichý L., Dřevojan P., Sádlo J. & Zelený D. (2018) Ellenberg-type indicator values for the Czech flora. – Preslia 90: 83–103.

shady sites

semi-shady sites

insolated sites

Temperature relationship

The temperature relationship is defined through Ellenberg-type indicator value at the scale from 1 to 9 as defined for the Czech flora by Chytrý et al. (2018). In the identification key, values of 1, 2, 3 were merged into the cold sites category, values of 4, 5, 6 into the slightly warm sites category and values of 7, 8 and 9 into the warm sites category.

Data source and citation

Chytrý M., Tichý L., Dřevojan P., Sádlo J. & Zelený D. (2018) Ellenberg-type indicator values for the Czech flora. – Preslia 90: 83–103.

cold sites

slightly warm sites

warm sites

Moisture relationship

The moisture relationship is defined through Ellenberg-type indicator value at the scale from 1 to 12 as defined for the Czech flora by Chytrý et al. (2018). In the identification key, values of 1, 2, 3, 4 were merged into the dry soils category, values of 5 and 6 into the mesic soils category, values of 7, 8, 9 into the wet soils category and values of 10, 11, 12 into the aquatic environment category.

Data source and citation

Chytrý M., Tichý L., Dřevojan P., Sádlo J. & Zelený D. (2018) Ellenberg-type indicator values for the Czech flora. – Preslia 90: 83–103.

dry soils

mesic soils

wet soils

aquatic environment

Soil reaction relationship

The soil reaction relationship is defined through Ellenberg-type indicator value at the scale from 1 to 9 as defined for the Czech flora by Chytrý et al. (2018). In the acidic environments, the value can be considered as a proxy for pH, while in the near-neutral or alkaline environments, it is more a proxy for calcium concentration. In the identification key, values of 1, 2, 3 were merged into the acidic soils category, values of 4, 5, 6, 7 into the slightly acidic to neutral soils category and values of 8 and 9 into the basic soils category.

Data source and citation

Chytrý M., Tichý L., Dřevojan P., Sádlo J. & Zelený D. (2018) Ellenberg-type indicator values for the Czech flora. – Preslia 90: 83–103.

acidic soils

slightly acidic to neutral soils

basic soils

Nutrient relationship

The nutrient relationship is defined through Ellenberg-type indicator value at the scale from 1 to 9 as defined for the Czech flora by Chytrý et al. (2018). The value is a proxy for the availability of nitrogen or phosphorus and to some extent also a proxy for site primary productivity. In the identification key, values of 1, 2, 3 were merged into the nutrient-poor sites category, values of 4, 5, 6 into the slightly nutrient-rich sites category and values of 7, 8, 9 into the nutrient-rich sites category.

Data source and citation

Chytrý M., Tichý L., Dřevojan P., Sádlo J. & Zelený D. (2018) Ellenberg-type indicator values for the Czech flora. – Preslia 90: 83–103.

nutrient-poor sites

slightly nutrient-rich sites

nutrient-rich sites

Salinity relationship

The soil salinity relationship is defined through Ellenberg-type indicator value at the scale from 1 to 9 as defined for the Czech flora by Chytrý et al. (2018). It is a proxy for concentration in the environment of soluble salts, including sulphates, chlorides and carbonates of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. In the identification key, values of 0, 1, 2, 3 were merged into the non-saline to slightly saline soils category, values of 4, 5, 6 into the saline soils category and values of 7, 8, 9 into the strongly saline soils category.

Data source and citation

Chytrý M., Tichý L., Dřevojan P., Sádlo J. & Zelený D. (2018) Ellenberg-type indicator values for the Czech flora. – Preslia 90: 83–103.

non-saline to slightly saline soils

saline soils

strongly saline soils

Habitat and sociology

Occurrence in habitats

Sádlo et al. (2007) assessed the occurrences of plant taxa in the Czech Republic in 88 basic habitats aggregated into 13 broader habitats. The degree of affinity of each taxon to each habitat was expressed at the following four-degree scale:

1 – occurrence – taxon can grow in the habitat, but it is not the ecological optimum for this taxon, which often is rare in this habitat
2 – optimum – the habitat or part of it is the ecological optimum for this taxon
3 – dominant – taxon can be assigned to the previous category and at the same time it frequently attains a cover above 25% in areas ≥ 10 m² or ≥ 100 m² in herbaceous or woody vegetation, respectively
4 – constant dominant – same as for the previous category but the taxon also determines the general appearance of the habitat (e.g., Calluna vulgaris in heathlands), occurring in ≥ 40% of the localities of the habitat

Only the 13 broader habitats were used in the identification key for simplification. A taxon was included in the broad habitat if it took values of 2, 3 or 4 for at least one narrow habitat nested within the broad habitat.

Data source and citation

Sádlo J., Chytrý M. & Pyšek P. (2007) Regional species pools of vascular plants in habitats of the Czech Republic. – Preslia 79: 303–321.

Vegetation of cliffs, screes and walls

Alpine and subalpine grasslands

Aquatic vegetation

Wetland and riverine herbaceous vegetation

Vegetation of springs and mires

Meadows and mesic pastures

Acidophilous grasslands

Dry grasslands

Sand grasslands and rock-outcrop vegetation

Saline vegetation

Heathlands and scrub

Forests

Anthropogenic vegetation

Distribution and frequency

Elevational belt in the Czech Republic

The lowest and the highest elevational vegetation belt in which the taxon commonly occurs in the Czech Republic. For some taxa, also extremes are shown, i.e. elevational belts in which the taxon rarely occurs outside its main elevational range. The submontane belt comprises merged supracolline and submontane belts, and the montane belt comprises merged montane and supramontane belts according to the classification of elevational vegetation belts used in the Flora of the Czech Republic (Skalický 1988). The data were taken from the Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic (Kaplan et al. 2019).

Data source and citation

Further references

Skalický V. (1988) Regionálně fytogeografické členění [Regional phytogeographic division]. – In: Hejný S., Slavík B., Chrtek J., Tomšovic P. & Kovanda M. (eds), Květena České socialistické republiky [Flora of the Czech Socialist Republic] 1: 103–121, Academia, Praha.

lowlands

colline belt

submontane belt

montane belt

subalpine belt

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