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Subalpinski bukov gozd z dlakavim slečem (Polysticho lonchitis-
Fagetum rhododendretosum hirsuti subass. nova) na Snežniku 
(Liburnijski kras, Dinaridi)
Subalpine beech forest with Hairy Alpenrose (Polysticho 
lonchitis-Fagetum rhododendretosum hirsuti subass. nova) 
on Mt. Snežnik (Liburnian karst, Dinaric Mts)
b o Š t j a N Su r i N a
1
, M a r a S h r a k a j
2
1
  Natural History Museum Rijeka, Lorenzov prolaz 1, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; bostjan.
surina@prirodoslovni.com
2
  Universiteti i Shkodrës »Luigj gurakuqi«, departimenti Biologji-Kimisë, Shkodër, 
Albania
Subalpine beech stands with Hairy Alpenrose (Rhododendron hirsutum) were 
phytosociologically studied on Mt. Snežnik (Dinaric Mts). They thrived on stony and steep 
slopes of northern exposure. Comparisons with other subalpine Beech stands (Polysticho 
lonchitis-Fagetum s. lat.), Fir-Beech stands with Hairy Alpenrose (Omphalodo-Fagetum 
s. lat. rhododendretosum hirsuti), and prealpine fir-beech stands with Hairy Alpenrose 
(Homogyno sylvestris-Fagetum s. lat. rhododendretosum hirsuti), stands of Hairy 
Alpenrose and Beech (Rhododendro hirsuti-Fagetum s. lat.), as well as Austrian subalpine 
beech stands (Saxifrago rotundifoliae-Fagetum s. lat.) showed their unique floristic 
composition due to ecological conditions, and thus distinct syntaxonomical position within 
the association Polysticho-Fagetum. Therefore, a new subassociation Polysticho-Fagetum 
rhododendretosum hirsuti subass. nova was described, and as differential species for the 
subassociation Rhododendron hirsutum, Rubus saxatilis, Rosa pendulina, and Clematis 
alpina were chosen.
Bo Š T j a n Su r i n a & M a r a S h r a k a j : Subalpinski bukov gozd z dlakavim slečem…