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Flora

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Flora

Among other things, natural forest ecosystems also soothe the extreme climate phenomena, prevent soil erosion and act as water reservoirs. They invite us to relax from the tiring daily routine, but let's not forget – we're merely guests here; let's prove we're worth the invitation by behaving accordingly.

The Javorniki's forests are most colourful in spring. After the snow melts and beeches just begin to turn green, the ground is covered by different kinds of undergrowth. Small yellow-flowered spring bloomer and Christmas rose, vernacularly called slepica, are accompanied by liverleaf, snowdrop, spring snowflake, different bittercresses, spring pea, vetch Vicia oroboides and blue-eyed Mary. Wherever we look, there's something blossoming.

Soon, bushes cover themselves with flowers as well: February daphne, spurge-laurel, fly honeysuckle, barberry, berry Rhamus fallax Boiss, European bladdernut...

Forest orchids are not as endangered as their meadow counterparts, but they are no less intriguing. The first ones to blossom are common twayblade, white helleborine and bird's nest orchid, followed by lesser butterfly and greater butterfly orchid, fragrant orchid and broad-leaved helleborine. A persistent and observant visitor may also come across the rare Greuter's, violet and narrow-lipped helleborine.

In summer, the native Justin's bellflower, shapely candytuft, boneset, wood ragwort, beautiful Turk's cap lily, gentle knotted crane's bill, field and Alpine rose, willow gentian, red campion and large-flowered calamint open their flowers. A feast for the eye and insects that doesn't seem to end any time soon.

A hike in the Javorniki hills, coloured with warm autumn tints, when beeches, sycamore and field maples, wych elms, common ashes, rowans and whitebeams turn yellow, will bring a smile to every visitor's face.

Number of plant species: 300+
Number of orchid species: 10