Lavatera thuringiaca L. (Malvaceae) is considered to be a relict of medieval cultivation, connected in its contemporary distribution with the remnants of former settlements and anthropogenic habitats. The paper presents the distribution of L. thuringiaca individuals on the historic earthwork in Western Poland (Kórnik locality 2a) and variation in the selected individual characteristics. In the years 2001–2004, a total of 323 specimens were recorded. All the specimens were growing on the earthwork slope with southern exposure. The cessation of agricultural use of the central part of the object made it possible for L. thuringiaca to colonize the area. The highest reproduction rate was found for the specimens in the second year of the study, as at that time the biggest number of generative roots was recorded. In 2002, the highest mean number of fruits (289) was observed. In the following years this number was smaller, in 2003 amounting to 149 and in 2004 to 141 specimens. Significant changes were also found in seed size during the four years of observations. The biggest seeds were observed in the first year of analyses (5.18), while the smallest in the last year (4.94). In our opinion, on the basis of the 4-year in-situ observations of L. thuringiaca, the life strategy of this species is not different from that of other perennial plants. Annual production of generative shoots and a high number of seeds ensure the persistence of the population of this species on the earthwork and the possibility of its spread under advantageous conditions.

Keywords: Lavatera thuringiaca, Malvaceae, relict of cultivation, earthwork, variation, biometry

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