Exotic plants in urban habitats
Some plant species alien to the Netherlands have established in Dutch towns and cities. Examples include hairy love-grass and four-leaved all-seed. The "concrete jungle" is a suitable habitat for them.
 |
 |
Trends in hairy love-grass
Hairy love-grass is a new arrival in Dutch towns and cities. It is a prostrate grass that grows between paving stones. First recorded in Rotterdam, after 1972 it was sighted in other sites in Zuid-Holland and has since spread dramatically. It is now found in most towns and cities of appreciable size. Hairy love-grass originates from East Asia. It grows almost exclusively in the urban environment but has also been recorded next to railway lines and roads.
Trends in four-leaved all-seed
Four-leaved all-seed was first recorded much more recently: in the early 1990s, growing between paving stones in the centre of Dordrecht. Since then it has spread greatly in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Leiden, and it is expected to appear in other towns and cities. The species, which originates from the Mediterranean area, prefers warm, stony sites.
