Vascular plants in the Cemetery of the Meritorious (Cmentarz Zasłużonych) in Poznań (Poland)

Abstract

The Cemetery of the Meritorious is the oldest preserved burial site in the city of Poznań (western Poland). It was created in 1808, but after World War II it was subject to gradual devastation. In 1961, it was classified as a historic site, completely protected by law and cared for by the Cultural Heritage Officer. Field research shows that the vascular flora of the cemetery is composed of 140 taxa: 15 in the trees, 26 in the shrubs, and 99 in the herbaceous plants. The flora comprises 84 taxa (57.1%) that were planted there. Most of them are herbaceous: 45 species (30.6%), including 14 native (9.5%) and 31 alien ones (21.1%). Plants with symbolic meanings are represented by 13 taxa in the trees, 16 in the shrubs, and 30 in the herbaceous plants. Currently, however, the symbolism of cemetery plants is of little significance, as they are cultivated primarily because of their ornamental value. Special attention was paid to groundcover plants, represented by 37 species (25,2%), including 21 taxa introduced a long time ago and 16 recently (during the last 10 years or so).