Status and trends in the alien flora of Corse (FR)
Different aspects of the alien flora of Corse (FR), such as diversity (species richness), abundance, life-forms, vegetation belts, habitats and biogeographical origins were analysed on the basis of data published in Flora Corsica (Jeanmonod & Gamisans, 2007). Results showed that the alien species richness is currently high, as alien species represented 16.5% of the total flora, amongst which 37.5% were naturalized. The penetration of this alien flora mainly took place at lower altitudes, but was still low or absent in the higher altitude vegetation belts. It was also observed that penetration of this alien flora has increased over time within natural habitats.
A list of 31 invasive or potentially invasive taxa recorded in Corse is presented below (a distinction is being made between naturalized and casual species). For each species, geographical origin, status (abundance class), and year of first record on the island is provided. This list is given in order of species abundance (from high to low) and within each category, plant species are ordered by date of first record (from the oldest to the most recent).
The following twenty species are naturalized in Corse:
|
Taxon
|
Origin
|
Abundance class in Corse
|
First year of observation in Corse
|
|
Xanthium orientale subsp. italicum (= X. italicum) (Asteraceae)
|
North America
|
CC
|
1863
|
|
Gomphocarpus fruticosus (Apocynaceae)
|
South Africa
|
C
|
1820
|
|
Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae)
|
Neotropics
|
C
|
1834
|
|
Carpobrotus edulis (Aizoaceae, EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants)
|
South Africa
|
C
|
1877
|
|
Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae)
|
North America
|
C
|
1913
|
|
Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae, EPPO List of IAP)
|
Asia
|
C
|
1931
|
|
Cotula coronopifolia (Asteraceae)
|
South Africa
|
C
|
1954
|
|
Bidens frondosa (Asteraceae, EPPO List of IAP)
|
North America
|
C
|
1958
|
|
Phytolacca americana (Phytolaccaceae)
|
North America
|
PF
|
1834
|
|
Carpobrotus acinaciformis (Aizoaceae, EPPO List of IAP)
|
South Africa
|
PF
|
1978
|
|
Helianthus x laetiflorus (Asteraceae)
|
North America
|
PF
|
1985
|
|
Cortaderia selloana (Poaceae, EPPO List of IAP)
|
South America
|
PF
|
1989
|
|
Nicotiana glauca (Solanaceae)
|
South America
|
R
|
1900
|
|
Cytisus striatus (Fabaceae)
|
Mesogean region
|
R
|
1985
|
|
Elide asparagoides (Asparagaceae)
|
South Africa
|
RR
|
1920
|
|
Araujia sericifera (Apocynaceae, EPPO Alert List)
|
South America
|
RR
|
1977
|
|
Acacia dealbata (Fabaceae, EPPO List of IAP)
|
Australia
|
RR
|
1983
|
|
Senecio inaequidens (Asteraceae, EPPO List of IAP)
|
South Africa
|
RR
|
1984
|
|
Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae)
|
Asia
|
RR
|
1990
|
|
Buddleia davidii (Scrophulariaceae)
|
SE Asia
|
RR
|
1991
|
(CC) very common; (C) common; (PF) infrequent or disseminated; (R): rare; (RR): very rare.
The following eleven species are casual in Corse:
|
Taxon
|
Origin
|
Abundance class in Corse
|
First year of observation in Corse
|
|
Senecio angulatus (Asteraceae)
|
South Africa
|
R
|
1979
|
|
Solidago canadensis (Asteraceae, EPPO List of IAP)
|
North America
|
R
|
1985
|
|
Aptenia cordifolia (Aizoaceae)
|
South Africa
|
R
|
1988
|
|
Cytisus multiflorus (Fabaceae)
|
Mesogean region
|
RR
|
1910
|
|
Paraserianthes lophantha (Fabaceae)
|
Australia
|
RR
|
1911
|
|
Polygala myrtifolia (Polygalaceae)
|
South Africa
|
RR
|
1911
|
|
Acacia saligna (Fabaceae)
|
Australia
|
RR
|
1977
|
|
Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae, EPPO List of IAP)
|
North America
|
RR
|
1987
|
|
Acer negundo (Sapindaceae)
|
North America
|
RR
|
1988
|
|
Sesbania punicea (Fabaceae, EPPO Alert list)
|
South America
|
RR
|
1990
|
|
Myriophyllum aquaticum (Haloragaceae, EPPO List of IAP)
|
South America
|
RR
|
1996
|
(R): rare; (RR): very rare.
Several invasive species that are spreading in the Mediterranean Basin, such as Amorpha fruticosa (Fabaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Baccharis halimifolia (Asteraceae, EPPO List of IAP), Impatiens glandulifera (Balsaminaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Fallopia japonica (Polygonaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Fallopia sachalinensis (Polygonaceae, EPPO List of IAP), or Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae), have not yet been introduced in Corse. It is expected that given the great habitat diversity of Corse, it is only a matter of time before these species are recorded on the Island.
Sources
Jeanmonod D & Gamisans J (2007) Flora Corsica. Edisud. Aix-en-Provence (FR).
Jeanmonod D, A. Schlüssel A & J. Gamisans J (2011) Status and trends in the alien flora of Corsica. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 41(1), 85-89.