The features of the reproduction of invasive plants in the urban environments are considered using the example of the North American species Erigeron canadensis L. In stressful conditions of the city high plasticity of individuals of E. canadensis is observed with maximum growth and development rates, settling on railway embankments, therefrom spreading into urban ecotopes. As far as the plants growing in technogenic areas (ash dump) are concerned, they are characterized by decreased overall size, a significant lower photosynthetic activity and the contribution of individuals to reproduction lower by several times. The least stable indicator of E. canadensis reproduction along the urban gradient is the mass of generative organs (CV 98.5 %). The more stable parameter was reproductive effort (RE1), the coefficient of variation was 49.8 %. The broad response of morphometric parameters to changes in ecotopic conditions can be assessed as a mechanism for the adaptation of E. canadensis to conditions in the city.

G.Yu. Morozova