THE URBAN FLORA OF A SPATIAL CULTURAL-HISTORICAL UNIT OF GREAT IMPORTANCE: A CASE STUDY OF THE PETROVARADIN FORTRESS (NOVI SAD, SERBIA)

Green walls and other vertical green infrastructure are considered a specific and important part of urban greenery. Spontaneous plants growing on vertical surfaces of an old fortress are characterized by a diversity of life forms. The Petrovaradin Fortress is under state protection as a spatial cultural-historical unit of great importance. It is surrounded by ancient walls extending over 27.80 km and standing at 78-120 m. The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to and emphasize the importance of the rich spontaneous flora of the Pctrovaradin Fortress as an essential aspect of urban plant diversity. The present study provides a detailed account of the urban flora of the Petrovaradin Fortress and its biological characteristics. A total of 80 genera and 82 species, belonging to 40 families, were identified and enrolled in the study. Most of the species considered belong to the Asteraeeae family and flower in May and June. However, a total of eleven species considered are regarded as invasive in Serbia.