Flora
Plitvice lakes is heavily forested, mainly with beech, spruce and fir trees, and in some areas, Alpine and Mediterranean vegetation. In the park area there have been recorded 1,267 plant species belonging to 112 different plant families.
The area is rich in narrowly or more widely distributed endemic species (72). Of special value are the endemic species described for the first time in this area: narrow-leaved bellflower, Thor’s buttercup, and the Dalmatian scilla a species abundantly distributed in the vegetation of the Park’s lowland wet meadows.
The Park is also recognised for its many species protected by the Nature Protection Act of Croatia (22 species), of which we should single out the lady’s slipper – the most beautiful orchid in Europe. Being a rare and endangered forest plant, it is listed in the Croatian Red Book of Plant Species and the IUCN Red List, under the category of endangered taxa.
Plitvice is also home to many carnivorous plants. The common sundew and the common butterwort are both rare carnivorous plants on the IUCN red list in the category of vulnerable taxa. The lesser bladderwort is a very rare aquatic carnivorous plant.
The area is rich in narrowly or more widely distributed endemic species (72). Of special value are the endemic species described for the first time in this area: narrow-leaved bellflower, Thor’s buttercup, and the Dalmatian scilla a species abundantly distributed in the vegetation of the Park’s lowland wet meadows.
The Park is also recognised for its many species protected by the Nature Protection Act of Croatia (22 species), of which we should single out the lady’s slipper – the most beautiful orchid in Europe. Being a rare and endangered forest plant, it is listed in the Croatian Red Book of Plant Species and the IUCN Red List, under the category of endangered taxa.
Plitvice is also home to many carnivorous plants. The common sundew and the common butterwort are both rare carnivorous plants on the IUCN red list in the category of vulnerable taxa. The lesser bladderwort is a very rare aquatic carnivorous plant.