J. Vigo, R. M. Masalles i J. M. Ninot. A propòsit de les plantes naturalitzades
L'Atzavara, 15: 73-82

Observations on naturalized plants in the Catalan Countries

Based on the third edition of the Flora Manual dels Països Catalans (Manual of the Flora of the Catalan Countries), we discuss about naturalized flora in the Catalan Countries, in Catalonia, and in the Marina Range (eastern Catalonia). We also examine the concept and the degrees of naturalization through different examples. In the Catalan Countries, naturalized plants account for a 6% of the whole flora. Among this naturalized flora, Compositae and Poaceae are the dominant families, mainly of American origin (47.1% of taxa). The percentage of naturalized plants in the Catalan Countries is lower than in the UK (40%) and similar to that in Italy (6.7%). In Catalonia, where naturalized plants also represent the 6% of flora, 23 exotic taxa have become naturalized during the last 16 years, accounting for a 10.7% of increase. This increase is more marked in the Marina Range. Based on the flora compiled by P. Montserrat in the Marina Range in 1950 (published between 1955 and 1964), the increase of naturalized plants during the last 55 years is estimated to be of 39 taxa (43.8% of increase). Finally, we discuss the introduction and naturalization of exotic plants and the scientific concern of these phenomena.

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