Ten new EPPO datasheets on EPPO A1 and A2 invasive alien plants
Ten new datasheets have been published on invasive alien plants recommended for regulation as A1 and A2 pests in 2018. Posters and leaflets are also available on the EPPO website (https://www.eppo.int/RESOURCES/eppo_publications/pest_specific_posters).
Ambrosia confertiflora (Asteraceae - EPPO A2 List)
Within the EPPO region, Ambrosia confertiflora is established and invasive in Israel.The species is also non-native in Australia where it is a weed in degraded pastures and agricultural land. In Israel, A. confertiflora occurs in various natural and disturbed habitats, including dry plains and semi-arid valleys, degraded pastures, cultivated orchards, summer field crops (cotton and water melon), avocado and date groves, along roadsides, river banks and wadi beds (dry river beds), in wastelands and other disturbed areas. A. confertiflora forms dense stands that can outcompete native plant species.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/FRSCO
Andropogon virginicus (Poaceae - EPPO A2 List)
In the EPPO region, Andropogon virginicus occurs in France, the Russian Federation and Georgia. In France, A. virginicus was found in 2006 in the military camp ‘Camp du Poteau’. It is suspected that A. virginicus was introduced into the military camp with NATO munitions between the years 1950 and 1967. The species invades a wide variety of habitats from disturbed to relatively intact habitats including ruderal areas, wetlands, open pastures, grasslands and open woodlands. A. virginicus stands can be dense, widespread and highly competitive, suggesting that the species reduces biodiversity.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/ANOVI
Cortaderia jubata (Poaceae - EPPO A1 List)
Cortaderia jubata is absent from the natural environment in the EPPO region although it is reported as invasive in California, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. C. jubata has a very broad environmental tolerance: it can tolerate severe drought but establishes best in wet, sandy soil without existing vegetation and has been shown to germinate best in high-light, warm (about 20°C) and moist conditions. This species negatively affects forestry production by competing with forestry trees and making access difficult.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/CDTJU
Ehrharta calycina (Poaceae - EPPO A2 List)
In the EPPO region, Ehrharta calycina is known to occur in Portugal, Spain and Tunisia. E. calycina appears to have fairly broad environmental tolerance. In California and Australia, where the species is invasive, E. calycina can dominate plant communities, excluding native plant species and transforming shrublands into grasslands. This species can form monospecific stands by suppressing the germination of native species through rapid growth and shading out of native plant seedlings.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/EHRCA
Hakea sericea (Proteaceae - EPPO A2 List)
In the EPPO region, Hakea sericea is present in France, Portugal and Spain where it invades disturbed areas (particularly road margins), forest margins, coastal grasslands and pine forests. In Portugal, H. sericea forms extensive dense monospecific stands which can exclude native plant species and/or change community composition, including associated fauna.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/HKASE
Humulus scandens (Cannabaceae - EPPO A2 List)
In the EPPO region Humulus scandens is present in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, the Ukraine. The species thrives along riversides, particularly on the loose, bare surfaces of alluvial bars formed by river and streamsides by temporary floods. The plant can also invade ruderal areas under climates with no dry seasons. In Hungary and France, H. scandens has been shown to have a negative impact on native plant communities by reducing species richness and modifying species composition.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/HUMJA
Lespedeza cuneata (Fabaceae: EPPO A1 List)
Lespedeza cuneata is absent from the natural environment in the EPPO region. The species is native to Asia and has been introduced into the Americas, the Caribbean and South Africa. In the USA, L. cuneata can thrive under a variety of conditions, crowding out native species in natural areas. The species forms dense stands in areas where it invades, reducing light availability and potentially increasing competition for soil water.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/LESCU
Lygodium japonicum (Lygodiaceae - EPPO A1 List)
Lygodium japonicum is absent from the natural environment in the EPPO region. The species is native to Asia and has been introduced into North America, Australia and South Africa. Where introduced in the USA, L. japonicum occupies a broad range of natural and disturbed habitats where it can grow in full sun or shade. The vine can grow over native vegetation decreasing native plant diversity.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/LYFJA
Prosopis juliflora (Mimosoideae - EPPO A2 List)
Prosopis juliflora is present within the EPPO region in Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Spain (mainland and Gran Canaria) and Tunisia. The species has been introduced into many other regions of the world where it is invasive. P. juliflora is a very aggressive invader with the potential to outcompete and replace native vegetation. Prosopis species have large impacts upon water resources, nutrient cycling, the successional process and soil conservation. Negative effects include complete loss of native pasture and rangelands, transforming natural grasslands into thorn woodland (i.e. encroachment). Prosopis rapidly form dense thorny thickets that reduce biodiversity and can also block irrigation channels, obstruct roads and block smaller trails completely, affecting access to pastures, croplands, water sources and fishing areas.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/PRCJU
Triadica sebifera (Euphorbiaceae - EPPO A1 List)
Triadica sebifera is absent from the natural environment in the EPPO region. The species is native to Asia, and non-native and invasive in North America and Australia. In North America, T. sebifera has a wide environmental tolerance and can thrive in many different habitats, including forests, wetlands, grasslands, coastal prairie, mesic sites, disturbed sites and low-lying fields. In the USA, T. sebifera displaces native plant species and establishes dominant stands, and can transform areas of prairie and grassland to woody thickets within 10 years.
For the full datasheet: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/SAQSE
Sources
EPPO Secretariat (2019-01).
EPPO Global Database: https://gd.eppo.int/