Flora and fauna of Biokovo in Croatia

[Photos] [Presentation] [Situation] [Visits] [Culture] [Practical Information] [Other topics]

Presentation

General information
The solid mass of Biokovo presents a rather arid and stripped aspect; however it abounds in many species different of plants and it is populated of an abundant and various fauna. In particular, cavernicolous fauna conceals a true wealth with nearly 200 species of which more than 60 - relics of the tertiary Era - are endemic of Biokovo.

Herbaceous plants

Because of its geographical location, the solid mass of Biokovo presents - at various altitudes - an alpine continental climate and a Mediterranean climate; for this reason of the various plant species, pertaining to these two climates coexist there. On the whole, one finds in Biokovo nearly 1500 species of plants, of which 25 are endemic species; most known of these rare endemic species are: the bellflower of Biokovo (Edraianthus pumilio) - which is the emblem of the Natural park -, the centaury of Biokovo (Centaurea biokovensis), the lancéolée centaury (Centaurea cuspidata [Screw]) and the glorious centaury (Centaurea gloriosa or Centaurea cuspidata ssp gloriosa [Radić]), which meet with higher altitudes. The cyclamens, the centauries and the orchises of all species abound, such rare Ophrys snuffs (Ophrys will insectifera), as well as the “perunika”, the wild iris (Iris croatica) emblem of Croatia. The Natural park understands several botanical reserves: the mount Saint Elias (Sveti Ilija), the Šibenik mount, the Štropac mount and the reserve of the mount Veliki Troglav which includes more the high summit of Biokovo, the mount Saint George (Sveti Jure). Most of the plant species of Biokovo can be seen with the Botanical garden of Biokovo with Kotišina.
Bellflower of Biokovo (Edraianthus pumilio)	Sweet clover (Lotus sp.)

Common Hélianthème (Helianthemum nummularium)

Ornithogale of the mountains (Ornithogalum montanum)

Flax of Narbonne (Linum narbonense)	Hedge mustard false-gillyflower (Erysimum sp.)	Bindweed of Biscay (Convolvulus cantabrica)

Nigelle of Damas (Nigella damascena)		Garlic with round head (Allium sphaerocephalon)

Thorny Pallénis (Pallenis spinosa)

Wild chicorey (Cichorium intybus)		Broom of Spain (Spartium junceum)

Ciliée Mélique (Melica ciliata)	Sédum of Nice (Sedum sediforme)	Meadow rue (Thalictrum sp.)

Plant to identify

Trees

The forests of Biokovo shelter beeches (forest reserve of Vošac), fir trees (forest reserve of Kimet-Sutvid) and pines black Dalmatian (Pinus will nigra subsp. dalmatica) (forest reserves of Bukovac, Borovik and Sibenik-Borovac). At the bottom of the mountain, southern part, one also finds maple and the lime.
Charm-hops (Ostrya carpinifolia)	Arborescent Baguenaudier (Colutea arborescens)

Wood of Saint Lucy (Prunus mahaleb)

Punic pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Insects and Arachnida

Saltique de Sloane (Philaeus chrysops)	Xylomyia maculata (Xylomyia maculata)	Carbuncle carbuncle (Carbuncle carbuncle)

Orange Mélitée (Melitaea didyma)

Annélidés

Birds

The solid mass of Biokovo counts more than hundred species of birds, of which large raptors such as the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the circaète Jean-le-Blanc (Circaetus gallicus) - hunter of snakes -, the fawn-coloured vulture (Gyps fulvus) - in process of extinction - or the owl grand duke (Bubo bubo).

Poisson

Reptiles

Biokovo shelters 21 species of reptiles (vipers, grass snakes and lizards) and 7 species of protected Amphibians.
Grass snake of Balkans (Hierophis gemonensis)

Mammals

Among about thirty species of mammals indexed, one rather easily meets the chamois of Balkans (Rupicapra will rupicapra balcanica), and the Mediterranean moufflon (Ovis orientalis musimon), but the wolf is also present.