Synanthropic flora in the vicinity of the mediaeval Castle Kolno, Stare Kolnie near Brzeg, southwestern Poland

Abstract

The mediaeval castle Kolno situated near the village Stare Kolnie served as a custom house at the confluence of two rivers, Budkowiczanka and Stobrawa. Numerous diaspores of plants were obtained from the archaeological excavations, from the layers of the 14th-15th centuries A.D. The excavations were located near the former access road, where increased human activity has affected the composition of the fossil macroremains of plants. Two species of cabbage cultivated in small fields near the castle were recognised. Diaspores of weeds and ruderal plants were deposited at the site. The most frequent were: Solanum nigrum, Setaria pumila, Chenopodium album, Rumex acetosella, Polygonum lapathifolium and Urtica dioica. The botanical set of fossil diaspores was composed of plant species associated with anthropogenic habitats and showing the dispersion dynamics in various micro-niches within them.