Czech botanists document national flora and warn of invasive species

Botanists and enthusiasts in the Czech Republic are working on an ambitious project to create a comprehensive photographic atlas of the nation's flora. Since 2018, the team has been documenting approximately 3,300 plant species, including native, introduced, and naturalized varieties. The project aims to produce around 10,000 photographs, providing multiple angles of each plant to highlight key identification features, alongside distribution maps and detailed information. The atlas is expected to be published in 2028.

In addition to documentation efforts, experts are highlighting the dangers of invasive species within the Czech landscape. The Agency for Nature and Landscape Protection has recorded 75 invasive species that threaten native vegetation. Among these is the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), a plant that can cause painful burns due to substances that react with UV radiation. While some invasive plants were introduced intentionally for decoration, others spread aggressively, displacing local ecosystems.