Take a deep breath. You are now breathing in the scent of one of the richest plant communities in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Look around you. Majestic beech trees form a dense green canopy, thanks to which, even on a hot day, a pleasant coolness, clean air and a unique forest microclimate prevail here.
In spring, this forest is covered in a solid carpet of bright green wild garlic. It is said that it is the succulent leaves of this plant that help the Carpathian brown bears regain their strength after a long winter hibernation. By May, the wild garlic bursts into bloom with thousands of tiny white star-shaped flowers. This plant is listed in Ukraine’s Red Book, so picking or plucking it is strictly forbidden.
Take a closer look near the stream. Here, the marsh marigold blooms brightly, its golden flowers seeming to have absorbed the first rays of sunlight. It is one of the first to herald the arrival of true spring in the Carpathians.
Now cast your gaze down onto the forest floor along the path. Can you see the marvellous evergreen shoots, resembling fluffy spruce twigs, spreading across the ground like long, living threads? This is the river lycopod – a unique relict, a ‘superhero’ plant that lived on Earth long before the dinosaurs appeared! The river lycopod grows incredibly slow, advancing centimetre by centimetre over decades. Due to its rarity, it is strictly protected and listed in Ukraine’s Red Book. Alongside it, in the glades and damp forest meadows, you can spot another protected wonder in early summer – wild Carpathian orchids, of which over 13 species have been recorded in the park, including the spotted orchid and the marsh orchid. They are fussy and grow only where the soil, water and air are absolutely pure.
In total, hundreds of plant species are protected in the Zacharovanyi Krai – from delicate early-spring primroses to ancient ferns and emerald mosses. Each of them is an important part of this unique ecosystem and helps maintain the park’s natural balance.
Please do not tread on the fluffy threads of the lycopod, do not pick the flowers and do not damage the delicate stems of the orchids. May they continue to adorn this protected forest and share their beauty with everyone who visits our park.
Explore this green world simply with your eyes or through your camera lens. And to learn about the plants, make use of specialist apps such as iNaturalist, Seek or PlantNet.
Having enjoyed the fresh air and lush greenery, let’s continue on our way. Keep moving along the marked trail in search of new discoveries. Ahead of us lies an encounter with those who have made this forest their home!