First report of Centipeda cunninghamii in France and Spain
Centipeda cunninghamii (Asteraceae) is a perennial plant reaching 20 cm high originating from Australia and New Zealand. Outside its native range, the only known records are in Spain and in France.
In Spain, the plant was reported for the first time in 1998 in Cáceres, in the province of Extremadura. The plant was observed on the edge of inundated areas in Preslion cervinae communities where it was very abundant and exhibited a high vitality. It was also reported for the first time in 2010 in the locality of Sotoserrano in the province of Salamanca.
In France, C. cunninghamii was also found for the first time in the locality of Saint-Christophe-du-Ligneron in the Vendée Department in June 2013. Since then, the population has increased by more than 100 fold. The plant was reported to occur in temporary ponds containing rare and protected species: Pilularia globulifera (Marsileaceae), Cicendia filiformis (Gentianaceae), Exaculum pusillum (Gentianaceae), Illecebrum verticillatum (Caryophyllaceae). A reduction of the populations of Pilularia globulifera due to the presence of C. cunninghamii has been noted.
Considering the spread of C. cunninghamii in France and Spain, this species should usefully be monitored. A pest risk analysis should be performed to assess whether rapid action is necessary, as the distribution of the plant is still limited.
Sources
Guillot Ortiz D (2010) La tribu Anthemidae Cass. (Asteraceae) en la flora alóctona de la Península Ibérica e Islas Baleares. (Citas bibliográficas y aspectos etnobotánicos e históricos). Monografías de la Revista Bouteloua 9.;Jolube Consultor y Editor Ambiental. Teruel y Jaca (Huesca).158 pp.
Sánchez Rodríguez JA ; Elías Rivas MJ (1998) Centipeda cunninghamii (DC.) A. Braun ; Ascherson (Asteraceae), una planta adventicia nueva para Europa. Notas breves. Anales Jardín Botánico de Madrid 56, 167.
Personal communication from Jean-Marc Tison, E-mail: jmltison@gmail.com and Fabien Dortel, E-mail: f.dortel@cbnbrest.com