Mesembryanthemum guerichianum: a new alien plant potentially invasive in Australia
Mesembryanthemum guerichianum (Aizoaceae) has been reported in Australia in the states of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. This alien species originating from Namibia, South Africa and probably south-west Angola had been overlooked in Australia, presumably because of confusion with M. crystallinum.
In its native range, this annual or biennial shrub occurs in the drier regions, on sandy plains and along roadsides. In Australia, the species was observed invading degraded roadsides and adjacent land with relatively little remnant vegetation.
The species has so far not been recorded in the EPPO region, though, it may, as in Australia, have been mistaken with M.;crystallinum. It is not expected to represent a major risk.
Sources
Chinnock RJ, Stajsic V ; Brodie CJ (2012) Mesembryanthemum guerichianum Pax (Aizoaceae): A weedy alien species new to Australia. Plant Protection Quarterly 27(2), 83-88.