Lists of invasive alien plants in Russia
In Russia, A1 and A2 Lists of quarantine weeds were established shortly after the creation of the Quarantine Service in 1931. The A1 List of quarantine weeds not known to occur in USSR was drafted in 1935 (listing 5 species) and it now contains the following species: Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae), Cenchrus spinifex (Poaceae), Helianthus ciliaris (Asteraceae), Ipomoea hederacea (Convolvulaceae), Ipomoea lacunosa (Convolvulaceae), Iva axillaris (Asteraceae), Solanum elaeagnifolium (Solanaceae - EPPO A2 List) and Striga spp. (Scrophulariaceae).
In 1938, the A2 List of quarantine weeds known to occur in USSR (containing 22 species) was first drafted, and the most recent update was in 2007. It now constitutes a supplement to the Federal Law on Plant Quarantine adopted in 2000 by the Russian Federation. The situation for some of these species in Russia is as follows:
- Acroptilon repens (Asteraceae – EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants) originates from Central Asia and was introduced into Russia at the end of the 19th century. It is considered to be limited by low temperatures and by rainfall superior to 500 mm/year, and its potential distribution is therefore thought to be in latitudes south of 55°N. It can be a threat in crops, gardens, vineyards, meadows, pastures and natural habitats.
- Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae – EPPO List of IAP) originates from North America and was introduced into Russia in 1918 where it now colonizes 6 millions hectares. It can potentially establish in latitudes south of 50° to 55°N (according to the areas). The species is considered to be limited by low temperature. It can invade and threaten crops, gardens, vineyards, meadows, pastures, and also has a health impact by causing allergies.
- Ambrosia psilostachya (Asteraceae) originates from North America and was introduced into Russia in 1945 and is now present in several locations. It was eradicated from the Krasnodar region in the 1990s. It is considered to be able to establish south of 60°N. It can be a threat in crops, meadows and pastures, and also has a health impact by causing allergies.
- Ambrosia trifida (Asteraceae) originates from North America and was introduced into Russia in 1935-1940, where it is now present in several locations. It was eradicated from the Irtkusk region. Its potential distribution is thought to be in latitudes south of 60°N. It can be a threat in crops and gardens and also has a health impact by causing allergies.
- Cuscuta spp. (Cuscutaceae) include the following species: Cuscuta campestris, C. approximata, C. epithymum, C. epilinum, C. europaea, C. lehmanniana, C. monogyna and C. lupuliformis. These species originate from America and Eurasia and were introduced into Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. These species have colonized 1.7 million hectares and are parasites of crops and wild plants of grasses, shrubs and trees.
- Solanum carolinense (Solanaceae) originates from North America and was introduced into Russia at the beginning of the 21st century. So far, small outbreaks are reported in the Primorsky region, but the plant could potentially threaten crops, gardens and pastures in latitudes south of 50° and 55°N (according to the areas).
- Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae) originates from North America and was introduced into Russia in 1918. It was eradicated in the Volgograd and Khabarovsk regions. The plant could potentially threaten crops, meadows and pastures south of 60°N.
- Solanum triflorum (Solanaceae) originates from North America and was introduced into Russia in 1943. The plant could potentially threaten crops, meadows and pastures south of 60°N.
Recently, a non official list of invasive alien plants was drafted in the framework of the national strategy on biodiversity, composed of the following species: Acer negundo (Aceraceae), Amelanchier spicata (Rosaceae – EPPO List of IAP), Aster lanceolatus (Asteraceae), Bidens frondosa (Asteraceae – EPPO List of IAP), Calystegia sepium subsp. americanum (Convolvulaceae), Echinocystis lobata (Cucurbitaceae), Elodea canadensis (Hydrocharitaceae), Festuca arundinacea (Poaceae), Heracleum sosnowsky (Apiaceae – EPPO List of IAP), Hordeum jubatum (Poaceae), Impatiens glandulifera (Balsaminaceae – EPPO List of IAP), Impatiens parviflora (Balsaminaceae), Lupinus polyphyllus (Fabaceae – EPPO List of IAP), Oenothera biennis (Onagraceae), Solidago canadensis (Asteraceae – EPPO List of IAP).
Additional information can be found at:
http://www.agroatias.ru, www.biodat.ru and www.mcx.ru.
Sources
Personal communication with Mrs Mariam Mironova, Russian Plant Quarantine Centre, 2009.