Notes of the occurrence of Prosopis juliflora in Gran Canaria (ES)
Prosopis juliflora (Fabaceae) is a shrub or small tree native to Mexico and Central America. The species has a wide invasive range including Africa, Asia and Australia and currently it has a very limited naturalised distribution in the EPPO region. It is currently reported as naturalised in low lying areas in Israel, the West Bank and Jordan. P. juliflora is also confirmed as present (two planted trees only) in Almeria, South-eastern Spain and the species is reported as naturalised in limited areas in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, ES) where it has been obserbed since 2011 as an escape from cultivation in the dry southern part of the island. More recently, in 2015, in Gran Canaria, near Arinaga, barranco del Polvo, along the estuary, scattered mature individuals have been recorded which are reported to be flowering and fruiting. Numerous saplings are recorded in this area. Near Pedrazo, barranco del Negro, along a dry riverbed a single individual is recorded and in Pozo Izquierdo, again along a dry riverbed approximately five individuals have been recorded. Interestingly, a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) has recently been conducted for this species for the EPPO region as part of an EU funded LIFE project. The PRA concluded that the species should be considered for a recommendation for regulation in the EPPO region and as a potential species of European Union concern under the Regulation (EU) 1143/2014, and these evaluations will be conducted during 2018/2019.
Sources
Verloove F (2017) New xenophytes from the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria and Tenerife; Spain). Acta Botanica Croatica 76 (2), 120–131.