First report of Erigeron sumatrensis in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Erigeron sumatrensis (Asteraceae) is an annual herb native to South America and is widespread within the EPPO region. It can produce up to 200 000 seeds per plant which are wind dispersed. In surveys conducted in 2019-2020, E. sumatrensis was recorded from 38 locations (ranging from 200 m – 900 m a.s.l.) with some populations consisting of several hundred individuals. The first record of E. sumatrensis in Bosnia and Herzegovina dates from 2019, when it was discovered on the Klek peninsula near the town of Neum in Southern Herzegovina. E. sumatrensis grows in open, sunny to partly shaded places, mainly in disturbed or man-made habitats – road embankments, railroad tracks, urban areas, waste lands, arable land, vineyards and orchards. It may become invasive in natural sparsely vegetated habitats. The species is an important and highly aggressive weed in agricultural land.
Sources
Maslo, S, Šarić Š (2020) Erigeron sumatrensis Retz. (Compositae), a recently recognized invasive alien species in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Glasnik Hrvatskog Botanickog Društva 8(2), 88-93.