Erigeron Canadensis L. (Asteraceae): a New Record to the Flora of the Arabian Peninsula

Journal of the North for Basic and Applied Sciences (JNBAS), (2021/1442 H), Vol. (6), Issue (1), 30-46

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA Northern Border University (NBU) Journal of the North for Basic and Applied Sciences (JNBAS)

p- ISSN: 1658 - 7022 / e- ISSN: 1658 - 7014 www.nbu.edu.sa http://jnbas.nbu.edu.sa

Erigeron canadensis L. (Asteraceae): A New Record to the Flora of the Arabian Peninsula

Abdul Wali A. Al-Khulaidi¹,2 Nageeb A. Al-Sagheer1,2 and Faten Z. Filimban3

(Received 24/07/2020; Accepted 09/11/2020)

Abstract The Arabian Peninsula characterized by very rich flora, the flora of the Arabian Peninsula is still not explored well. Field work was conducted in 2016 in high altitude areas of Albaha region, between Hawalah (SE Albaha region) and Dos and surrounding areas (NW Albaha region) to investigate the unknown plant species so that to enhance the flora of Albaha and Arabian Peninsula with new plant species. This paper is reporting and documenting newly record of Erigeron canadensis L. = Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist (Asteraceae) to the flora of the Arabian Peninsula. The species was collected from high altitude mountains of Albaha region, Saudi Arabia in 2016. Since it has not been reported earlier from flora of the Arabian Peninsula, therefore, the recorded plant will be an addition to the flora of the Arabian Peninsula.

Keywords: Arabian Peninsula, Asteraceae, Erigeron canadensis, Flora, New record

* Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Albaha University, P.O. Box: 1988, Code: 61008, Albaha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

jnbas.nbu.edu.sa

DOI: 10.12816/0058337 e-mail: [email protected]

47 مجلة الشمال للعلوم األساسية والتطبيقية) JNBAS ( ، )1442هـ/2021م(، المجلد )6(، العدد )1(، 30 - 46 مجلة الشمال للعلوم األساسية والتطبيقية، ) JNBAS ( ، )1440هـ /2019م(. المجلد )4(، العدد )2(، 107-98 المملكة العربية السعودية جامعة الحدود الشمالية (NBU) مجلة الشمال للعلوم األساسية والتطبيقية (JNBAS) طباعـــة ـ ردمد: 7022-1658 / الكرتوني ـ ردمد: 1658-7014 www.nbu.edu.sa http://jnbas.nbu.edu.sa

حشيشـــة الجبـــل أو العشـــبة الكنديـــة .Erigeron canadensis L )العائلـــة النجميـــة( تســـجيل جديـــد لقائمـــة نباتـــات شـــبه الجزيـــرة العربيـــة

عبد الولي أحمد الخليدي1,2، نجيب علي الصغير1،2 وفاتن زبير فلمبان3

)قدم للنشر في 03/12/1441هـ؛ وقبل للنشر في 24/03/1442هـ(

ملخــص: تتميــز شــبه الجزيــرة العربيــة بنباتــات غنيــة ًجــدا، وال تــزال نباتــات شــبه الجزيــرة العربيــة غيــر مستكشــفة ًجيــدا. تــم إجــراء العمــل الميدانــي لمســح الفلــورا فــي عــام 2016 فــي المناطــق المرتفعــة مــن منطقــة الباحــة الممتــدة بيــن حوالــة جنــوب شــرق الباحــة حتــى منطقــة دوس ومــا حولهــا شــمال غــرب الباحــة بهــدف التحقيــق فــي األنــواع النباتيــة غيــر المعروفــة، وذلــك لتعزيــز نباتــات الباحــة وشــبه الجزيــرة العربيــة بأنــواع نباتيــة جديــدة.. تقــوم هــذه الدراســة بتوثيــق نبــات جديــد لــم يــرد ذكــره ضمــن نباتــات شــبه الجزيــرة العربيــة وهــو حشيشــة الجبــل أو العشــبة الكنديــة. Erigeron canadensis L. = Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist. يتبــع النبــات الفصيلــة النجميــة Asteraceae. تــم جمــع هــذا النــوع فــي عــام 2016 مــن المرتفعــات العاليــة الواقعــة فــي منطقــة الباحــة، المملكــة العربيــة الســعودية. وبمــا أنــه لــم يوثــق فــي وقــت ســابق ضمــن نباتــات شــبه الجزيــرة العربيــة، لذلــك يعتبــر هــذا النبــات إضافــة جديــدة لنبــات شــبه الجزيــرة العربيــة.

كلمات مفتاحية: الجزيرة العربية، العائلة النجمية حشيشة الجبل )العشبة الكندية(، الحياة النباتية، تسجيل جديد

* للمراسلة: أســـتاذ مشـــارك، قســـم األحيـــاء، كليـــة العلـــوم واآلداب، جامعـــة الباحـــة، ص ب: 1988، رمـــز بريـــدي: 61008، الباحـــة، المملكـــة العربيـــة الســـعودية.

e-mail: [email protected] jnbas.nbu.edu.sa DOI: 10.12816/0058337

48 Journal of the North for Basic and Applied Sciences, Vol. (6), Issue (1), (2021/1442 H)

1. INTRODUCTION On 1 May 1753, the species was named by Linnae- us, in Species Plantarum, as E. canadensis L. Sp. The family Asteraceae family covers more Pl. 2: 863 (1753), the plant name has been changed than 32000 species of plants species that are in Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. New York, belong to more than 1900 genera, the family is 1943 by Cronquist to C. canadensis (L.) Cronquist, widespread worldwide (Jeffrey, 2007), except in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 70: 632 (1943). Antarctica (Funk, Bayer, Keeley, Chan, Watson & The study aims to survey and explore the new Gemeinholzer, 2005), about 200 species of Erigeron unknown plant species so that enhance the flora of genera and about 50 species of Conyza genera are the Saudi Arabia. distributed almost throughout the world (Kissmann & Groth 1999; Sansom, Saborido & Dubois, 2013; 1.1. Plant Classification (Penev, 2019): Milović, 2004; Cronquist, 1976; Yan, Feng, Zhao, Feng, Zhu, Qu and Wang, 2020). Classification: Erigeron canadensis L. (= Conyza canadensis (L.) Kingdom Plantae Cronquist), horseweed is an annual species, up to 2 Phylum Tracheophyta m. the species is native to North America and widely Class Magnoliopsida distributed as invasive species to many countries Order Asterales in the world (Pruski & Sancho, 2006; Thebaud & Family Asteraceae Abbott, 1995). The plant also known as horseweed Genus Erigeron or Canadian horseweed herb Accepted scientific name:Erigeron canadensis L. In the recent treatment of Asteraceae (Compositae) for the MedChecklist and Euro+Med Plant Base 1.2. Synonyms projects (Greuter, 2006–2009, 2008) most species of Conyza genus have been included in Erigeron Aster canadensis (L.) E. H. L. Krause (Deutschl. Fl. genus (Sturm), ed. 2. 13: 59, pl. 10 (1905). Erigeron bonariensis and E. canadensis often occur Caenotus canadensis (L.) Rafin., Fl. Tellur. 2: 50 in the same habitat and sites. Identification confusion (1837), nom. inval. between E. canadensis, E. bonariensis Erigeron Caenotus pusillus Raf., Fl. Tellur. 2: 50 (1837). sumatrensis, and other Erigeron (Conyza) species Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq., Bull. Torrey Bot. Club are common (Michael, 1977; Marochio, Bevilaqua, 70: 632 (1943). Takano, Mangolim, Oliveira Junior & Machado, Conyza canadensis var. incisa P. D. Sell, Fl. Gr. Brit. 2017; Wu, 2009). This due to the morphological Ireland 4: 555 (459) (2006). and ecological resemblance and the lack of a proper Conyza canadensis var. obovoidea P. D. Sell, Gr. Brit. literature (Anzalone, 1964; Melzer, 1996; Poldini Ireland 4: 555 (459) (2006). and Kaligari, 2000). Identification was also made Conyza canadensis var. pusilla (Nutt.) Cronquist, Bull. extremely difficult because of the occurrence Torrey Bot. Club 74: 150 (1947). of hybrids, mostly between E. canadensis and Conyza canadensis var. robusta P. D. Sell, Fl. Gr. Brit. E. bonariensis (Rohiena, 1923; Hayek, 1931; Ireland 4: 556 (459) (2006). Anzalone, 1964; Cronquist, 1976; Stace, 1997). Conyza canadensis var. simplex P. D. Sell By following taxonomic treatment of E. canadensis Conyza parva Cronq. (Synonym) Conyza parva Cronq. based on the concept proposed by Greuter (2003), Erigeron paniculatus Lam., Fl. Gr. Brit. Ireland 4: 555 the newly recorded species is an accepted name. (459) (2006). Identification of E. canadensis was based on Leptilon pusillum (Nutt.) Britt, Torreya 14: 198 morphological features described by Yan, et al (1914). 2020; Djurdjević, Mitrović, Gajić, Jarić, Kostić & Marsea canadensis (L.) Badillo, Bol. Soc. Venez. Ci. Oberan, 2011; David & Nesom, 2012; Lust, 2014. Nat. 10: 256 (1946).

49 Al-Khulaidi, Al-Sagheer, and Faten Z. Filimban: Erigeron canadensis L. (Asteraceae): A New Record to the Flora of the Arabian Peninsula

1.3. Vernacular names 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Barrilla, Canada fleabane, Horseweed, Smooth 3.1. Plant Taxonomic Classification horseweed, Pinillo (Brouillet, Desmet, Coursol, Meades, Favreau, Anions, Bélisle, Gendreau, The accepted name in well authentic Taxonom- Shorthouse, and contributors, 2010). ic web sites and publications is E. canadensis (Yan, et al, 2020) still some references and 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS websites is using the name C. canadensis (Mi- chael, 1977). On 1 May 1753, the species was Plant specimens of E. canadensis was collected from named by Linnaeus, in Species Plantarum, as different parts of Albaha region, SW Saudi Arabia Erigeron canadensis L., Sp. Pl. 2: 863 (1753), (Figure 1) during fieldwork, mainly between July the plant name has been changed in Bulletin and February in particular in 2016. Morphological of the Torrey Botanical Club. New York, 1943 features were noted and recorded of the collected by Cronquist to C. canadensis (L.) Cron-� herbarium specimens and then were compared with quist, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 70: 632 (1943). the information available on the targeted plant in the Although the accepted name in trustable sites books and published research (e.g. Yan et al., 2020; and studies is E. canadensis, still some refer- Djurdjević et al., 2011; David & Nesom, 2012; Lust, ences and websites prefer to use the name C. 2014). Herbarium specimens were deposited in the canadensis. Herbarium of Albaha University, Department of Biology, Balhurashi, Saudi Arabia, and the Herbarium of Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh (RBGE), UK. Under reference “Al-Khulaidi, 24/12. 2016”. Plants 3.2. Plant Description photographs that show habit description and the plants main parts are given in (Figure 2) to facilitate An annual, erect herb up to 2 m tall, much its identification. Distribution map of the species was branched in the upper part. Leaves dense and prepared by using geographic information system crowded along the entire length of the stem (GIS. and appearing whorled, alternate, simple, base The taxonomic key for plant identification is reported oblanceolate to linear- lanceolate, apex acute, below; in addition to E. bonariensis, the species that withered at anthesis, persistent, margins entire usually to be confused with E. sumatrensis (Šida, usually with fine white hair, the upper leaves are 2003; Wurzell, 1988). smaller, linear to lanceolate, sub-entire to entire, 1a. Ligulate florets present, white, 0.5-1mm length; sparsely hirsute, grey on both surfaces, sessile. involucral bracts glabrous or scattered pubescent…… The lower leaves toothed in particular towards the ………..…….…….……….E. canadensis apex. Inflorescence, heads in panicle-like clusters 1b. Ligulate florets absent or short, not more than with many small flowers individually stalked; 0.5mm, often with reddish apex; involucral bracts capitula small, 2–4 mm in diameter, flowers many usually hirsute…………………..…….……………2 on short branches near the top of the main stem; 2a Inflorescence diamond-shaped; ligules short, involucre 3--4 mm, 2--3 mm diameter, phyllaries, ca.0.5mm length, head 3-7mm length…………… smooth, to sparse sort white hairs, the outer ones ………………………………………….………E. are green to red brown, lanceolate to linear, inner sumatrensis bracts longer, linear, yellowish green to reddish. 2b Inflorescence cone-shaped, elongate branches Ray florets white, many, less than 1 mm. Disk overlapping the main axis; ligules absent; head florets, yellowish-green disk. Cypsela beakless, 7-10mm length………..………..………….E. grey-brown less than 2 mm with 2 to 3 mm long bonariensis white simple papuse.

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Table 1. Explored Plant Distribution in Albaha region, Saudi Arabia:

Lat. Long. Location Altitude Habitat Area 19.850318 41.60031 Baljurashi 2039 road side Al Shatibah 19.85048 41.599697 Baljurashi 2042 road side Al Shatibah 19.853416 41.598313 Baljurashi 2033 disturbed site Al Shatebah 19.849504 41.583829 Baljurashi 2024 natural habitat dominated by Acacia origena Shkran Park 19.98910 41.534656 Al-Baha 2153 Terraces Wadi Fiq 19.862071 41.571513 Baljurashi 2036 neglected fields Shkran 19.84081 41.59193 Baljurashi 2070 road side Shkran

Figure 1: Distribution of Erigeron canadensis in Albaha region, Saudi Arabia.

51 Al-Khulaidi, Al-Sagheer, and Faten Z. Filimban: Erigeron canadensis L. (Asteraceae): A New Record to the Flora of the Arabian Peninsula

3.3. Phenology the year 2016. In the same habitat, E. bonariensis is also seen, the two species are very similar and E. canadensis L. has been seen from June to often difficult to distinguish between them. The two February. Flowering periods was from August to species differ from each other in the form of the October. The seedling stage in Albaha start in July inflorescence, phyllaries, and leaves. and flowering starts rapidly at the beginning of E. canadensis expected to spread noticeably in several August until the end of October, few species seen habitats, making it an aggressive invasive weed and flowering at the end of December. requires rapid action to control it. Internationally, E. canadensis L. is only found in Albaha region with the species is a difficult weed to control. In some relatively cold habitats, and altitudes more than 2000 country, E. bonariensis is first discovered and m. above sea level (Fig. 1). Its habitat also could be reported as an exotic herb in the environment and sunny, warm environments (Vladimirov, 2009; Wu, then became a challenging weed to control (Wang 2009). Considering the present scattered distribution et al., 2018), the same situation may apply to E. and abundance of E. canadensis in Albaha region, canadensis. Chemical control e.g. glyphosate and has probably been introduced at least a decade ago glufosinate-ammonium was used worldwide to and looks like a highly invasive plant, the limited control the species (Weaver, 2001, Sansom et al., localities in Albaha region suggest also that it is 2013). E. canadensis is also mentioned in many introduced recently. references as a problem weed in crop production The number of E. canadensis increased significantly because of its resistance to glyphosate and other in the recorded locations where they were seen in herbicides (Van Gessel, 2001; Weaver, 2001).

Fig. 2. The plant sample Erigeron canadensis. A: Plant habit, B: Leaves, C: Inflorescences, D: the flower showing the style branches. E: Capitulum, F: cypsela with pappus. Photos by Dr. Nageeb and Dr. Abdul Wali in 2016

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4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Cambridge. ISBN: 0-521-087171. David, J. K. & Nesom, G. L. (2012). Erigeron canadensis, in All observed populations of the E. canadensis were Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson Flora. reproductive and spread, without the intervention Djurdjević, L. M., Mitrović, G., Gajić, S., Jarić, O., by humans, which suggests that the species may Kostić, L.& Oberan, P. P. (2011). An allelopathic investigation of the domination of the introduced be considered naturalized (Richardson, Pyšek, invasive Conyza canadensis L. Flora (Jena), 206(11), Rejmánek, Barbour, Dane Pe netta & West, 2000). 921-927. Personal observations to the locality of the species Funk, V.A., Bayer, R.J., Keeley, S., Chan, R., Watson, L. & show that it is rapidly spreading. The plant has a Gemeinholzer, B. (2005). Everywhere but Antarctica: strong and faster competitive advantage against using a supertree to understand the diversity and local plant species (Djurdjević et al., 2011). distribution of the Compositae. Biol. Skr., 55, 343– E. canadensis can be economically important e.g 374. medicinal, source of oil etc. (Burkill, 1985; Cambie, Greuter, W. (2006–2009). Compositae (pro parte majore). and Ash, 1994; Pawlaczyk et al., 2011; Weaver, In: Greuter, W. & Raab-Straube, E. von (Eds), 2001). The economic exploitation of this plant may Compositae. Euro+Med Plantbase the information reduce its spread and may help in controlling and resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity. managing it for the benefit of the homeland and the Retrieved at 13.04.2020, from: http://www. emplantbase.org/home.html citizen. Uprooting the plant in its seedling stage Greuter, W. (2008). Compositae. – In: Greuter, W. & which starts in July will help in controlling and Raab-Straube, E. von. (eds), Med-Checklist. A limiting its spread. critical inventory of vascular plants of the circum- Mediterranean countries. 2. Dicotyledones (Compositae). OPTIMA Secretariat, Palermo, Med- Checklist Trust of OPTIMA, Géneve, and Euro+Med Plantbase Secretariat, Berlin. REFERENCES Greuter, W. (2003). The Euro+Med treatment of Asteraceae (Compositae): generic concepts and required new Anzalone, B. (1964). Un nuovo Erigeron nella Flora Italiana. names. – Willdenowia, 33(1), 45–47. Ann. Bot. (Roma), 28, 25–39. HAYEK, A. (1931). Prodromus Florae peninsulae Brouillet L, Desmet P, Coursol F, Meades SJ, Favreau M, Balcanicae, 2. Dahlem bei Berlin Anions M, Bélisle P, Gendreau C, Shorthouse D, and Jeffrey, C. (2007). Compositae: Introduction with key contributors (2010+). Database of Vascular Plants to tribes. Pages 61–87 in Families and Genera of of Canada (VASCAN). Retrieved from: http://data. Vascular Plants, Vol. VIII, Flowering Plants, Eudicots, canadensys.net/vascan Asterales (J. W. Kadereit and C. Jeffrey, (Eds.). and http://www.gbif.org/dataset/3f8a1297-3259-4700- Berlin: Springer-Verlag. 91fc-acc4170b27ce. doi: http://doi.org/10.3897/ Kissmann, K. & Groth, D. (1999). Plantas Infestantes e phytokeys.25.3100 Nocivas (2nd ed.). São Paulo: BASF Brasileira. Burkill, H. M. (1985). Entry for Lasiurus hirsutus (Forssk.) Lust, J. (2014). The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog Boiss. [family POACEAE]. In: The useful plants of Herbs Ever Published. Courier Corporation, Raj. of West tropical Africa, 2nd edition. Royal 11, 1435 AH - Nature - 640 pages. Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. http://plants.jstor.org/ Marochio, C. A., Bevilaqua, M. R. R., Takano, H. K., upwta/2_580 Mangolim, C. A., Oliveira Junior, R. S. & Machado, Cambie, R.C. & Ash, J. (1994). Fijian Medicinal Plants. M. F. P. S. (2017). Genetic admixture in species of Csiro Publishing, Raj., 18, 1414 AH- Science-365 Conyza (Asteraceae) as revealed by microsatellite pages. https://doi.org/10.1021/np960466o. ISBN: markers. Acta Sci. Agron. 39, 437–445. doi: 10.4025/ 0-643-05404-9. actasciagron.v39i4.32947. Cronquist, A. (1976). Conyza Less. In TUTIN et al. (Eds.), Melzer, H. (1996). Neues zur Flora von Steiermark, XXXV. Flora Europaea.Vol.4, Cambridge University Press, Mitt. naturwiss. Verein Steiermark 126, 99–104. Michael, P.W. (1977). Some weedy species of Amaranthus

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