Neophyten

Abstract

The term neophyte is used in Central European botany in two meanings: historically (plants introduced since 1500) or ecologically (introduced species which are naturalised in natural or semi-natural habitats). The latter are today called agriophytes. The relationship between man and plants has been important in geobotanical research since the middle of the 19th century. In combining natural science and cultural history studies were concentrated on the time of introduction and on the degree of naturalisation. Many authors are now accepting the anthropogenic origin of agrestals and ruderals. If their distribution is strongly restricted to artificially disturbed sites, they are called anecophytes. Their original habitat in pristine vegetation is unknown («homeless plants»), therefore they are closely resembling many of the cultivated plants which have not been found anywhere in the wild state. Gain and loss of the flora is discussed including the effects of hybridisation and introgression. Long-term studies only can provide us with results for prognoses.