Article

In the western, south-western, and centraI parts of Serbia, huge serpentinized masses occur, among the largest on the European continent. The combination of geographical, geomorphological, and ecological characteristics with geohistorical factors has led to a peculiar flora and vegetation in that area. Josif Pancié was among the first to point out the unique features of serpentine flora. He noted that the flora thriving on serpenti ne chiefly consists of endemie, often relict taxa, adapted to the extremely unfavourable conditions of these habitats. PanCié 's view was confirmed by subsequent investigations. A large number of rare plant species, mentioned in numerous papers, confirm the uniqueness of Serbian habitats. Their vegetation shows peculiar syntaxonomic, ecological, physiognomic, and floristic features especially manifest in open phytocoenoses on rocky ground, where physical-chemical effects of the parent stone on the pIan! world are mos! conspicuaus.