DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES Reynoutria japonica HOUTT. IN THE AREA OF THE CITY OF BANJA LUKA

Abstract

Reynoutria japonica Houtt. (syn.: Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decr.) is a herbaceous perennial dioecious plant native to Japan, China and Korea. The stems are numerous, erect and annual. The species was brought to Europe in the middle of the 19th century for the purposes of growing in gardens, but it spread very quickly and today it is one of the most invasive species in many European countries. It forms dense monodominant stands that crowd out native vegetation, posing a serious threat to biodiversity. In the researched area, the species R. japonica was recorded in 103 localities, and the largest number was found in the local communities of Obilićevo, Centar and Bulevar. Smaller stands with an area of up to 10 m2 are mostly represented. So far, the data on the distribution of this species in the area of the city of Banja Luka are scarce, so the goal of this work was to record the localities where the species R. japonica grows, so that its populations could be monitored in the future.