First reports of Parthenium hysterophorus and Bidens pilosa in the United Arab Emirates
Parthenium hysterophorus (EPPO A2 List) and Bidens pilosa (both Asteraceae) have recently been recorded for the first time in the United Arab Emirates during surveys conducted in 2013-2014. Both species are native to the Americas and are established alien invasive plants in many regions of the world where they have negative impacts on native biodiversity, crop systems and pasture land. ;In the United Arab Emirates, P. hysterophorus was recorded in a home garden at Hamryah coast (1.5 m a.s.l.) in 2013. Four individual plants were recorded to have reached maturity. B. pilosa was recorded on farmland in April 2014 where seven individual plants were observed growing in Wadi Al Baih, Ras Al Khaimah 140 m a.s.l. It is suggested that P. hysterophorus and B. pilosa were introduced into the United Arab Emirates accidentally via imports of agricultural products. Further surveys should be conducted within the United Arab Emirates to evaluate if both species have additional occurrences, and if found, remedial actions should be taken to prevent their establishment.
Sources
Mahmoud T, Gairola S, El-Keblawy A (2015) Parthenium hysterophorus and Bidens pilosa, two new records to the invasive weed flora of the United Arab Emirates Journal on New Biological Reports 4(1) 26-32.