EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 03 - 2011 Num. article: 2011/065

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.