2nd Symposium on biology of non-weedy hemiparasitic Orobanchaceae

České Budějovice, September xx-xx 2008
Trips
Two trips are planned to be included in the program of the meeting

All-day trip to the Šumava (Bohemian forest) Mts
The Šumava Mts is a medium high mountain range located along the border between the Czech Republic and Germany (Bavaria). Its highest peaks reach 1300 to 1400 m a. s. l., hence don't exceed the tree-line in general. The landscape is covered by a mosaic of forest and man-made mountain meadow which is combined with river valleys of different shape from deep rocky canyons to broad flodplains.
The beginning of September is a late vegetative season in the mountains. Nevetheless, it is an ideal time when a considerable part of local hemiparasitic flora is in flower. We expect to see e. g. Melampyrum species which will be finishing their reproductive season, Euphrasia species in full flower and several more.

The Plešné jezero lake is the largest of several glacial lakes in the Šumava Mts.
One of numerous peat bogs which are especially common in higher altitude.
Natural mountain spruce forest is a fairly rare plant community in the Šumava Mts as the majority of forests were strongly influenced by human in past centuries.
The river Vltava (Moldau) and its broad valley covered by floodplain meadows and forests
Euphrasia rostkoviana in full flower


Trip to the Český Krumlov town
Český Krumlov is perhaps the best preserved medieval town in the Central Europe featuring the second largest castle in the Czech Republic in its centre. The town was built predominantly in the gothic and renesance styles. The historicsal centre constitutes of small squres and many narrow streets along which ancient citizen houses are located.
Český Krumlov is easily accessible from České Budějice as the disance from the city is just 30 kilometres. We expect to spend an afternoon there, which will be an ideal opportunity for you to look through the town and get involved in its magnificent atmosphere and talk about topics not discussed elswhere.