Ludwigia peploides in the Danube Delta, Romania
Ludwigia peploides (Onagraceae: EPPO A2 List) is native to Central and South America and is an invasive alien plant species in the EPPO region. It is mainly an aquatic species, but it is also able to colonize damp terrestrial habitats such as riverbanks or wet meadows. It can also grow on nutrient-poor to nutrient-rich soils and sediments including gravel banks, sand bars, mud and peat. In the EPPO region, rapid and extensive development of L. peploides populations can block waterways, irrigation ditches and canals (and thus disturbs many human activities such as navigation, hunting, fishing, irrigation and drainage), reduce biodiversity and degrade water quality.
In the Danube Delta, Romania, L. peploides was detected in 2025 during a targeted floristic survey conducted within a project focused on the improvement of water circulation through hydrotechnical works. Ten populations were recorded and these all occurred in lowland freshwater habitats with slow-moving or stagnant water and gently sloping muddy margins. L. peploides showed a cover ranging from 60 to 90 % between sites. To avoid further spread, a rapid delimitation survey around the known occurrences is required. Repeated monitoring should be conducted during the growing season. Management should include early mechanical removal of small patches before fragmentation and fruiting and special caution during hydrotechnical works, which may facilitate fragment dispersal.
Sources
Doroftei M, Covaliov S, Lupu G, Kvach Y, Kalashnik K (2026) First record of invasive aquatic plant Ludwigia peploides (Onagraceae) in the Danube Delta, Romania. BioInvasions Records 15(2), 281–290. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2026.15.2.06