EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 01 - 2022 Num. article: 2022/023

Invasive plants in Belarus


The introduction of alien species into the natural environment of Belarus has taken place at a rapid rate over the last few decades. The entry of new invasive plant species has intensified with increased transport (road, railway, river) and the movement of goods. A number of invasive alien plants have been introduced in Belarus via the trade of agricultural and ornamental species. An inventory of the alien flora of Belarus was undertaken between 2008–2020 throughout the territory of the country. Approximately, 300 taxa of non-native plants are currently classified as potentially invasive. 52 invasive plant species (Table 1) have been recorded in Belarus. These species threaten biodiversity, human health, and the economy. Further surveys are planned, and management action should be initiated against those species with the highest impact on plant health and the natural environment. 


Table 1. 52 invasive alien plant species recorded in Belarus


Species

Family

EPPO Status

Acer negundo 

Aceraceae

none

Acorus calamus

Araceae

none

Ambrosia artemisiifolia 

Asteraceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Amelanchier spicata 

Rosaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Angelica archangelica

Apiaceae

none

Aronia mitschurinii

Rosaceae

none

Asclepias syriaca 

Asclepiadaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Bidens connata

Asteraceae

none

Bidens frondosa 

Asteraceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Cytisus scoparius 

Fabaceae

none

Echinocystis lobata 

Cucurbitaceae

none

Elodea canadensis 

Hydrocharitaceae

none

Elodea nuttallii 

Hydrocharitaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Epilobium ciliatum 

Onagraceae

none

Erechtites hieraciifolius 

Asteraceae

none

Erigeron annuus 

Asteraceae

none

Fallopia ×bohemica 

Polygonaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Fallopia japonica 

Polygonaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Fallopia sachalinensis 

Polygonaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Festuca trachyphylla 

Poaceae

none

Galinsoga parviflora 

Asteraceae

none

Galinsoga quadriradiata 

Asteraceae

none

Geum macrophyllum 

Rubiaceae

none

Helianthus tuberosus 

Asteraceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Heracleum mantegazzianum 

Apiaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Heracleum sosnowskyi 

Apiaceae

A2 List

Hippophae rhamnoides 

Elaeagnaceae

none

Impatiens glandulifera 

Balsaminaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Impatiens parviflora 

Balsaminaceae

none

Iva xanthiifolia 

Asteraceae

none

Lolium arundinaceum

Poaceae

none

Lupinus polyphyllus 

Fabaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Oenothera biennis 

Onagraceae

none

Oenothera rubricaulis 

Onagraceae

none

Parthenocissus inserta 

Vitaceae

none

Petasites hybridus 

Asteraceae

none

Phragmites altissimus 

Poaceae

none

Populus alba 

Salicaceae

none

Prunus serotina 

Rosaceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Quercus rubra 

Fagaceae

none

Robinia pseudoacacia 

Fabaceae

none

Rumex confertus 

Polygonaceae

none

Sambucus nigra 

Adoxaceae

none

Sambucus racemosa 

Adoxaceae

none

Solidago canadensis 

Asteraceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Solidago gigantea

Asteraceae

Invasive Alien Plant List

Sorbaria sorbifolia 

Rosaceae

none

Symphyotrichum ×versicolor 

Asteraceae

none

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 

Asteraceae

none

Symphyotrichum salignum 

Asteraceae

none

Xanthium albinum 

Asteraceae

none

Zizania latifolia

Poaceae

none


Sources

Dubovik DV, Sauchuk SS, Zavialove LV (2021) The current status of the plant invasions in Belarus. Environmental and Socio-economic studies 9 14-22.