Digitali purpureae-Epilobietum in the Czech Republic

The natural occurrence of the (Sub)Atlantic species Digitalis purpurea in the Czech Republic was analyzed and the results of studies of the association Digitali purpureae-Epilobietum summarized. Digitalis purpurea is an alien species of Czech flora, invading mainly in western and northern Bohemia, more or less influenced by Sub-Atlantic climate. Although Digitali pur- pureae-Epilobietum is a typical vegetation unit of the (Atlantic-)Sub-Atlantic area of Europe, the stands analyzed in the Czech Republic can be included in this unit in terms of their floristic composition. In this association, two subassociations have been distinguished and characterized in the Czech Republic: Digitali-Epilobietum juncetosum Oberdorfer 1978 with the differential species Juncus effusus, Agrostis stolonifera, Carex brizoides, C. canescens, C. remota, Cirsium palustre, Deschampsia cespitosa, Equisetum sylvaticum; and D.-E. typicum Oberdorfer 1978. They are characterized by their structure and floristic composition, ecology and distribution.