RESOURCES OF ORCHIDACEAE IN THE XEROTHERMIC GRASSLANDS IN THE PI¡CZÓW HUMP AND ADJACENT AREAS

In the Piƒczów Hump and the adjacent mesoregions (Solec Basin, the eastern part of Wodzis∏aw Hump, the northern part of Po∏aniec Basin) 10 orchid species at the different succession stages of xerothermic communities were found. The strongest affiliation with the open association of the CirsioBrachypodion alliance appears in Orchis ustulata and Ophrys insectifera. These species grow in the associations: Inuletum ensifoliae, Scorzonero-Seslerietum uliginosae, Adonido-Brachypodietum pinnati, Origano-Brachypodietum. In the differently developed succession stages of the xerothermic communities of the Cirsio-Brachypodion alliance there are Orchis militaris and O. purpurea. An important role play the foliage shrubs overshading xerothermic communities as well as the pine plantings. In the ecotone zone between the grasslands and the deciduous forests grow mostly the dry-ground forests (Tilio-Carpinetum) such as: Cypripedium calceolus, Cephalanthera damasonium, Platanthera bifolia, P. chlorantha, Epipactis atrorubens, E. helleborine. They mostly grow a few meters from the forest margin. These species emerge only sporadically in the open grasslands of the Cirsio-Brachypodion alliance (Table 1).