Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)
Tartalom
THE PLACE WHERE THE PLAIN, THE MOUNTAINS AND THE DANUBE MEET Moving from Hétkápolna towards the Danube, we can find plateaus at gradually diminishing drops, which tell us about the surface forming work of the river in the glacial period. The downtown of Vác lies on a similar plateau, while Deákvár is situated on a higher level, and the same phenomenon can be noticed on Felső-Török Hill as well. These level differences can be observed very well in the Danube Bend due to the intensive rising of the volcanic mountains (Börzsöny, Visegrád Mountain). Marsh lily Riverside woodland that grows along the rivers is very adaptable and able to stand the caprices of the rivers. Moving from the riverbed towards the bank, mudland, willow shrubs, soft wood and hard wood groves follow each other. The natural state of the soft wood groves right on the riverbank is nearly untouched, but the hard wood groves that used to be found near Hétkápolna have completely disappeared. Along the riverbank, the Purple Osier or Purple Willow and the Almond Willow are typical, while the Common Osier also appears in some secluded places. In spring the blue colour of the True Forget-me-not can be seen among the undergrowth from afar, and we can also find creeping Yellow Fieldcresses and a type of Mayweed, which looks like chamomile, in great numbers. The dominant plants of the area lie a bit higher and thus covered by water only during the floods (typically in spring and early summer) are the White Willow and the White Poplar. They grow fast, therefore their wood is soft; this is why their association is called willow-poplar soft wood grove. During floods, the willows can cope with the lack of oxygen with the help of their aerial roots, while excess water is secreted on the tips of their leaves. Tiny drops are shed by either the trees or the cicadas sucking the sap of the plants. The Common Comfrey and the marsh iris grow in less wooded places, while the European Dewberry, the liana-like Common Hop climbing on trees, the Hedge False Bindweed or the climbing Bitter Nightshade or Blue Bindweed cover everything else. Mute swan on the Danube Grey heron
