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Non-protected areas
Forest complexes: Granica Polańska-Dalachowice and Pu¶ciny
The terrain here is varied morphologically and there is a diversity of habitats: numerous wooded hills furrowed with deep ravines, small watercourses and humid meadows developing along them.
As far as both wildlife and landscape are concerned, the most interesting features occurring here are deep ravines dug by water in soft dust sediments that are postglacial remains. Water drips down most of these ravines, enabling development of headwater vegetation which is becoming rarer and rarer in Poland. A characteristic element of these communities is an abundance of a rare and protected species, namely the giant horsetail. Due to its impressive size (it may be up to 1.5 m high) and unique habit, it is impossible to overlook it.
The forests covering the hills, though heavily transformed by man and hardly natural in character, are a convenient place to spend one's leisure. When having a rest, it is worth taking a closer look at various tree species growing around. We will easily find most of the native conifer species, such as pine, spruce, fir or larch. Among the broadleaf trees, the easiest ones to meet are beeches, with smooth grey bark and edible nuts; hefty pedunculate oaks; or hornbeams - similar to beeches, with the bark characteristically fluted in whitish stripes. Those who prefer to look down, instead of looking up at the tree crowns, may come across the common ivy - a plant under partial protection, which is the longest creeper among native species. The ivy very often climbs high up tree trunks in search of light, but here it usually creeps along the ground. In spring it is easy to find here Convallaria majalis the lily of the valley, which is also under partial protecion because of its beautiful fragrant flowers and healing properties. However, one has to remember that the plant is highly poisonous. Especially its tasty-looking red berries tend to be a cause of poisoning. They contain compounds causing paralysis of the respiratory centre.
The most common herbaceous plant of the local forests which covers their large stretches is Carex brizoides - a plant deceptively similar to grass. Still not so long ago it was used to stuff mattresses and cushions.
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