Conclusion
  1. Biscutella laevigata colonizing the calamine population in Boleslaw developed adaptation strategies to the site polluted with heavy metals, as indicated by features related to the biology of reproduction: (a) Success in sexual reproduction enabling maintenance of the calamine population over time, despite the disturbances and degeneration processes observed in male and female lineages development; (b) Degeneration of parts of stamens/anthers and one ovule in two-ovule ovaries as an adaptation to limited resources and extreme conditions/stress; (c) Shortening of female gametophytes as a strategy to accelerate entry into the generative phase; (d) Change in the chemistry of cell walls in embryonic cells as the mechanism of metal detoxification.
  2. The reduced fertility of plants from contaminated areas does not have to result only from the negative impact of high concentrations of metals in the soil, but also from other factors, as demonstrated by present studies on Biscutella laevigata. It is necessary to interpret the results with great caution while drawing conclusions.
  3. Our studies indicate that Ecological Embryology, a term introduced by Professor Romana Czapik in 2002, is a very good tool for studying the level of plant adaptation to extreme environments. Tolerant species/taxa, reproducing sexually on contaminated populations, could be useful for revitalization and/or phytoremediation, a biological method for cleaning up the environment.