Potential for establishment of Araujia sericifera in the EPPO region
Araujia sericifera (Apocynaceae) is a woody evergreen vine native to South America. The plant was introduced to Europe in the 19th century as an ornamental and textile plant. Commonly known as the “Cruel plant”, it can trap and kill moths, bees, and butterflies via floral secretions. In the EPPO region, in Mediterranean ecosystems, it can have a negative impact on biodiversity by smothering native plant species, and in agricultural systems it can smother crops like citrus and grape. Currently, in the EPPO region, the species is reported from Algeria, France, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Türkiye. To assess the potential for further spread and establishment, current data on occurrence were obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database. These data, along with climatic variables, were used in a model to predict current and future distribution. The results of the model show that under current climatic conditions, areas with high suitability are concentrated in Western Europe, particularly in Portugal and southern France, where there are extensive areas with optimal conditions. High suitability is predicted in Spain, along the northeastern border with France, as well as in Italy and the Mediterranean islands, and in North Africa along the coasts of Algeria and Tunisia. Further east, high suitability is predicted along the coastal zones of Greece, Türkiye, and the western Caspian Sea coast of Georgia. Strong suitability is projected along the Caspian coast of Azerbaijan, although there are currently no confirmed occurrences of the species. Future climate projections indicate a northward shift in areas of potential suitability, resulting in countries like the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom becoming suitable or marginally suitable. Suitability is also predicted to decrease in the Mediterranean region due to increased temperatures and reduced moisture availability.
Sources
Oveisi M, Sohrabi S, Piri R, Müller-Schärer H (2025) Observed distribution and predicted further spread of Araujia sericifera from Europe to the Southern Caspian Sea coast. Weed Research 65, e70041 https://doi.org/10.1111/wre.70041