The flora of the highest building in Poland (the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw)

The flora of the Palace of Culture and Science, which is the highest office building in Poland, was analysed. The exterior horizontal surfaces of the building (roofs, terraces, stairs) could be regarded as polyhemerobic habit ats. A total of 111 species of vascular plants (native species - 65%) and 6 species of bryophytes were recorded from an area of 16 500 m(2). It was fo und that the flora was relatively rich in species, of which some occurred i n considerable quantities (over 1000 individuals of such species as: Eragro stis minor, Sagina procumbens, Chaenarrhinum minus were encountered). Moreo ver anemochorous species dominated (85%) in the flora of the Palace. Thermo philous species and species indifferent to temperature were also strongly r epresented. The relatively high incidence of hygrophilous species was notew orthy. With regard to life forms an increased proportion of therophytes and phanerophytes (40% and 22%, respectively) was observed. No significant dif ferences were found between the flora of roofs situated on different floors of the building. However, slight differences between the flora of north-fa cing and south-facing horizontal roof surfaces were marked.