B. Papp szerk.: Studia Botanica Hungarica 36. 2005 (Budapest, 2005)
Szollát, György; Standovár, Tibor: Botanical values of the Öreg-hegy and Juhász-halom near Csomád
Though these same properties supported the development of this association on other young limestone formations (ZÓLYOMI 1958, KUN 1998). The rock steppe of the Somlyó-hegy near Fót is richer in rocky elements, but even there, the proportion of these elements - quite understandably - is less than in typical mountain rock steppes (FEKETE and KOVÁCS 1982, ZÓLYOMI 1958), since this area is located about at the eastern limit of the distribution of this Submediterranean association (FEKETE and KOVÁCS 1982, KUN et al 2002). Of the typical meadow steppe species (Festucion rupicolae) the occurrence of Euphorbia pannonica, Inula oculus-christi, Salvia austriaca, Vinca herbacea, Hieracium hoppeanum, Bupleurum affine, Ranunculus illyricus, Astragalus austriacus, Arenaria procera subsp. glabra is worthy of mentioning. Among more general dry grassland species (Festucetalia valesiaceae) Galium glaucum, Campanula sibirica, Pulsatilla pratensis subsp. nigricans, Scabiosa canescens are important in this area. There are some similar steppe patches on the north facing slopes surrounded by tree plantations. In these patches Botriochloa ischaemum, Festuca rupicola, and Stipa capillata dominate. The occurrence of Stipa tirsa, Phlomis tuberosa, and high abundance of Ranunculus illyricus together with the presence of Silene nutans, Potentilla recta, Lithospermum officinale, Campanula glomerata, Linum austriacum, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Carex flacca, Ajuga genevensis, Sedum maximum, Vinca herbacea are important features of these patches. Sand steppes There is no abrupt boundary between meadow-steppe and calciphile sand steppe stands. This is attributed to the similarities in soil properties and is manifested in the high number of common species. As a result of former and presentday degrading effects and intensive spread of shrubs, in this area only intermediately/seriously degraded stands of sand steppe could survive. Based on our knowledge on site properties (FEKETE and KOVÁCS 1982, SEREGÉLYES 1990, SEREGÉLYES et al 1993, SZOLLÁT et al 1992) and on sand steppes of the surroundings (Fót, Göd, Szentendrei-sziget), we assume that much richer sand steppes had flourished here in the past. Of the dominant species of this association Festuca vaginata and Stipa borysthenica occur in only a few sites, the latter as a truly dominant species found in only one relatively small patch, while Stipa capillata is the most abundant. Other characteristic species of the open sand steppe also occur: Colchicum arenarium, Helichrysum arenarium, Onosma arnearium, Achillea ochroleuca, Centaurea arenaria, Gypsophila fastigiata subsp. arenaria, Alkanna tinctoria, as well as several natural pioneers of disturbed sites: Silene conica, Polygonum arenarium,