Neophytes in the flora of Bedekovčina (northwestern Croatia)

In the flora of Bedekovčina, 43 species of neophytes were recorded, or 8.5% of the 507 wild plant species recorded in total. Among the neophytes, 11 invasive species were identified, representing 2% of the total flora; the most common being Solidago gigantea Aiton, Erigeron annuus (L.) Desf., Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. & A. Gray, Robinia pseudoacacia L., and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Most neophytes grow in anthropogenic habitats, but to a lesser extent also in semi-natural and natural vegetation. The species that grow in the greatest number of habitats are Solidago gigantea and Erigeron annuus. Both species dominate abandoned agricultural lands, Erigeron annuus in the early stages and Solidago gigantea in the later stages of succession. The neophytes were analysed for various characteristics. The results showed that the neophyte flora was dominated by species native to North America (63%), accidentally introduced (86%), belonging to therophytes (49%), annual herbs (47%), good competitors (42%), which reproduce only by seeds (58%), and disperse with autochory (53%)