Checklist of Invasive Alien Species in CSIR-NBRI Botanic Garden, Lucknow, India

Communications in Plant Sciences (July-December 2015), Volume 5, Issues 3-4, Pages 59-65 Commun. Plant Sci. (ISSN 2237-4027) www.complantsci.wordpress.com

Manuscript received on January 02, 2015, and published on August 26, 2015

Checklist of invasive alien species in CSIR-NBRI Botanic Garden, Lucknow, India

Shilpi Singh, Jibankumar S. Khuraijam, and Rup K. Roy

Botanic Garden, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow – 226 001.

ABSTRACT

The invasive alien species of CSIR-NBRI Botanic Garden are enumerated and their impact on the surrounding ecosystem are discussed. This study deals with the information on habit, nativity and family of plant species occurring in the area of study. A total of 103 invasive alien species under 86 genera and 36 families were recorded. Among these, the eudicotyledons represent 85 species, 69 genera and 32 families; monocotyledons represent 18 species, 17 genera and 4 families. In terms of nativity, species from Tropical America are the most dominant group with 34 species. In addition, based on life forms, herbs are dominant (88 species), followed by shrubs (8 species), climbers (4 species) and trees (3 species).

Keywords: Invasive alien species, Botanic Garden, NBRI, Lucknow.

______*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

60 Singh et al. 2015. Checklist of invasive alien species in CSIR-NBRI Botanic Garden, Lucknow, India.

INTRODUCTION factors which promoting the success of an invasion species (Newsome & Noble 1986, Rejmanek 1995) Over many centuries, India witness introduction of and also the invisibility of invaded communities and its many alien plant species. Silk route traders introduced characters (Rejmanek 1989). These invasive species several exotic plant species in India from Eurasian of plants alter indigenous community composition, countries, Mediterranean region, and African countries. deplete species diversity, affect ecosystem process Tamarindus indica (tamarind), originally from Africa, is and thus cause huge economic and ecological believed to have been first introduced into India by imbalance (Srivastava et al. 2014). Ethiopian traders (Shah 2014). During British rule and In the present study, invasive alien species in the European occupation, there was influx of many alien CSIR-Botanic Garden is documented for the first plant species from South America, Africa, Middle East, time and information on their nativity and families are and Southeast Asian countries (Islam 1991). Some of given. the alien tree species, such as Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus sp., several species of Albizia were MATERIAL AND METHODS introduced for their timber potential or for watershed protection. Fruit trees such as Litchi chinensis, Ananas Surveys were made in the NBRI, Botanic Garden comosus, Cocos nucifera, and vegetables such as during the years late 2013-early 2015, covering all Cucurbita spp., Raphanus sativus, Solanum seasons. Plant specimens were collected, preserved tuberosum, Daucus carota etc. were also introduced in and mounted as per the known herborizing practices the country along with pulses and oil yielding plants (Jain & Rao 1977). The specimens were identified (Das 1982). Likewise, Eupatorium odoratum, using regional floras and various revisionary and E. adenophorum, Lantana camara, and Eichhornia monographic works and later got authenticated by crassipes were first introduced as ornamental plants carefully matching with the specimens at LWG and they are now well established and dominant in herbarium of NBRI, Lucknow. Nomenclature of these farmland, forest, wetland and wasteland. Many of taxa was confirmed from Bennet (1986) and these species were naturalized and some have Wielgorskaya (1995). Specimens prepared from the become invasive species over a period of time. study area are deposited at the LWG herbarium of the Invasive alien species are non native species that NBRI. The field studies were conducted to record the introduced intentionally or unintentionally in the maximum number of alien species in CSIR-NBRI, country, which spread rapidly, naturalized in their new Botanic Garden. environment and cause harm to other native species or The study area was the CSIR-NBRI Botanic entire ecosystem. These species comes under a Garden, the third largest and one of the oldest botanic category of biological pollution and harmful species for garden in India. The garden is spread over an area of human also (Reddy 2008). Convention for Biological 25 hectares, along the southern bank of river Gomti in Diversity (1992) visualizes ‘biological invasive of alien the central part of Lucknow between 26º 55' N latitude species as the second worst threat for habitat and 80º 59' E longitudes at an altitude of 113 m. It has destruction’. Alien species are non-native or exotic a sub-tropical climate with hot and dry climate in organisms that occur outside their natural adapted summer, warm and humid monsoon, cold climate in ranges and dispersal potential (McGreoch 2010). winter and rainy season start from last June or Invasive plant species are introduced plant species beginning of July. Average rainfall 953 mm and relative that can also called exotic species as they create a humidity ranges from 65% to 90%. The maximum most significant threat to our floristic land, crops and temperature during summer, winter and rainy season other plant species and also fauna. Introduction of this are 40 oC, 23 oC, and 32 oC and minimum invasive species is from one place to another through temperatures are 20 oC, 4 oC, and 18 oC respectively. transportation of crops, through air, by road, and water etc. plays an important role in the movement of the RESULTS AND DISCUSSION species (Singh and Misri 1974). For example, Parthenium hysterophorus was introduced into India A total of 103 invasive alien species belonging to from USA through export of wheat. Human also 86 genera in 36 families were recorded through transport these plants species from one part of the qualitative floristic survey in the CSIR-NBRI Botanic world to other part over thousands of years, sometimes Garden during 2012-2015, where the main families are for social or personal gain and sometimes accidentally in the Figure 1 and the main species are in the (Reddy & Bagyanarayana 2007). Figure 2. Eudicotyledonous plants are represented The ecological approach of these invasion plant 85 species, under 69 genera and 32 families while species mainly based on biological and ecological there were 18 monocotyledonous alien species

Communications in Plant Sciences (ISSN 2237-4027) Commun. Plant Sci. 5(3-4): 59-65 (Jul-Dec 2015) Singh et al. 2015. Checklist of invasive alien species in CSIR-NBRI Botanic Garden, Lucknow, India. 61 belonging to 17 genera and 4 families. Poaceae was Solanaceae (5), Malvaceae, Oxalidaceae and the most dominant family with 14 species followed by Tiliaceae (4 each). The families Acanthaceae, Asteraceae (12), Fabaceae (10), Euphorbiaceae (7), Amaranthaceae, Convolvulaceae and Portulacaceae

Figure 1. A. Anagallis arvensis, B. Ruellia humilis, C. Oxalis corymbosa, D. Phalaris minor, E. Stellaria media, F. Ageratum conzyoides, G. Sida acuta, H. Desmodium triflorum, I. Gnaphalium pensylvanicum, J. Cissampelos pareira, K. Melilotus officinalis, and L. Polygonum plebeium.

Communications in Plant Sciences (ISSN 2237-4027) Commun. Plant Sci. 5(3-4): 59-65 (Jul-Dec 2015) 62 Singh et al. 2015. Checklist of invasive alien species in CSIR-NBRI Botanic Garden, Lucknow, India.

Figure 2. Dominant families of invasive alien species.

were represented by 3 species each while natural areas and urban ecosystem (Surendra et al. Asclepiadaceae, Brassicaceae, Carophyllaceae, 2013). Many alien species support our farming and Papaveraceae, Polygonaceae and Urticaceae by forestry systems in a big way (Sekar 2012). However, 2 each respectively. Remaining 18 families were some of the alien species become invasive when they represented single species in study area (Table 1). are introduced deliberately or unintentionally outside Among 88 genera Oxalis with 4 species dominated the their natural habitats into new areas where they study area followed by Euphorbia and Portulaca express the capability to establish, invade and out- (3 species each) (Table 1). Among four life forms, compete native species (Raghubanshi et al. 2005). herbs dominated the flora with 88 species followed by shrubs (8 species), climbers (4) and trees (3) (Figure 3). Out of the 103 species, 34 species were from Tropical America, 14 from South America, 11 from Europe, 8 from Mediterranean region, 5 from Africa, 4 each from Tropical Africa and North America, 3 from Mexico, 2 from America, Mediterranean and Africa, and one each from Africa, North and South America, Brazil and Argentina, Mexico, Central America, Central Asia, East Asia, Eastern United states, Europe and western Asia, Florida, Japan, North Africa, North, Figure 3. Growth habits of invasive alien species. South America and tropical Africa and West Indies and Zimbabwe invaded into Botanic Garden, Lucknow. CONCLUSION The global extent and rapid increase in invasive species is homogenizing the world’s flora and fauna Controlling invasive alien species herbs, shrubs, and (Mooney & Hobbs 2000). These alien species was trees (weeds) is an important issue in agricultural considered as a form of biological pollution and farms, gardens as they reduce the productivity of crops significant component on global change and one of the and dominate over the desirable plant species. major causes of species extinction and also increase Huge amount of money were spent to control them global commerce (Mooney & Drake 1987, Drake et al. using mechanical and chemical methods. The impacts 1989). Exotic plants spread rapidly because of our of these species on the native plant diversity have mobile society and the intentional transportation of also created several ecological problems. Moreover, ornamental and forage plants (Randall and Marinelli it is threatening the existence of several native 1997). Making a database of naturalized species is the plant species especially in fragile ecosystem. However, first step in the development of invasion biology, and not all the invasive alien species are harmful as some will also serve as a stepping-stone for further detailed of the species were reported to possess medicinal and studies on the biology and impact of individual species other values. Members of Fabaceae can be utilized to (Wu et al. 2004). generate nitrogen for crops. These invasive alien plant Introduction of L. camara, Antigonon leptopus etc. species could also be utilized by exploiting their have now become problematic due to their invasion on medicinal, nutritional, and ecological importance.

Table 1. Botanical name, family and nativity of invasive alien species recorded in CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow.

SN Botanical name Family Life Form Nativity 1. Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L. Asteraceae Herb Tropical America 2. Ageratum houstonianum Mill. Asteraceae Herb Tropical America 3. Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC. Amaranthaceae Herb Tropical America 4. Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae Herb Tropical America 5. Amaranthus viridis L. Amaranthaceae Herb Southern United States & Mexico 6. Anagallis arvensis L. Primulaceae Herb Europe 7. Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn. Polygonaceae Climber Tropical America 8. Argemone mexicana L. Papaveraceae Herb South America 9. Arundinella pumila (Hochst.) Steud. Poaceae Herb Tropical Africa 10. Blumea lacera (Burm.f.) DC. Asteraceae Herb Tropical America 11. Borassus flabellifer L. Arecaceae Tree Tropical Africa 12. Calibrachoa parviflora (Juss.) D'Arcy Solanaceae Herb South America 13. Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand. Asclepiadaceae Shrub Tropical Africa 14. Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand. Asclepiadaceae Shrub Tropical Africa 15. Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae Herb Central Asia 16. Cardamine scutata Thunb. Brassicaceae Herb Japan 17. Senna alata (L.) Roxb. Fabaceae Shrub South America 18. Senna occidentalis (L.) Link Fabaceae Herb South America 19. Cayratia trifolia (L.) Domin Vitaceae Climber Australia 20. Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiaceae Herb Europe 21. Chloris barbata Sw. Poaceae Herb Tropical America 22. Cleome gynandra L. Capparidaceae Herb Tropical America 23. Convolvulus arvensis L. Convolvulaceae Climber Europe 24. Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist Asteraceae Herb South America 25. Corchorus aestuans L. Tiliaceae Herb Tropical America 26. Corchorus capsularis L. Tiliaceae Herb Tropical America 27. Croton bonplandianum L. Euphorbiaceae Herb South America 28. Cucumis melo L. Cucurbitaceae Herb Africa 29. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Cuscutaceae Herb Mediterranean 30. Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae Herb Africa 31. Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. Poaceae Herb Africa 32. Datura metel L. Solanaceae Shrub Tropical America 33. Datura stramonium L. Solanaceae Shrub Tropical America 34. Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC. Fabaceae Herb Florida 35. Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. Poaceae Herb Europe 36. Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. Poaceae Herb South America 37. Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. Asteraceae Herb Tropical America 38. Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Herb Tropical America 39. Euphorbia prostrata Aiton Euphorbiaceae Herb Tropical America 40. Euphorbia thymifolia L. Euphorbiaceae Herb Tropical America 41. Evolvulus nummularius (L.) L. Convolvulaceae Herb Tropical America 42. Fumaria officinalis L. Papaveraceae Herb Europe 43. Gnaphalium luteoalbum Hook.f. Asteraceae Herb Tropical America 44. Gnaphalium polycaulon Pers. Asteraceae Herb Tropical America 45. Hydrocotyle verticillata Thunb Araliaceae Herb Tropical America 46. Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth Convolvulaceae Climber South America 47. Jatropha gossypiifolia L. Euphorbiaceae Shrub Mexico 48. Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Shrub Tropical America 49. Lathyrus aphaca L. Fabaceae Herb Europe 50. Lepidium didymum L. Brassicaceae Herb South America 51. Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit Fabaceae Tree Tropical America 52. Malva microcarpa Pers. Malvaceae Herb Mediterranean 53. Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garcke Malvaceae Herb Tropical America 54. Medicago polymorpha L. Fabaceae Herb Mediterranean 55. Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv. Solanaceae Herb Tropical America 56. Costus speciosus (J.Koenig) Sm. Costaceae Herb South East Asia 57. Oplismenus burmanni (Retz.) P.Beauv. Poaceae Herb Zimbabwe 58. Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae Herb Europe 59. Oxalis corymbosa DC. Oxalidaceae Herb South America 60. Oxalis latifolia Kunth. Oxalidaceae Herb Mexico 61. Oxalis stricta L. Oxalidaceae Herb North America 62. Panicum adspersum Trin. Poaceae Herb Tropical America 63. Parthenium hysterophorus L. Asteraceae Herb North America 64. Paspalidium geminatum (Forssk.) Stapf Poaceae Herb North America 65. Paspalum dilatatum Poir. Poaceae Herb Brazil and Argentina 66. Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth Piperaceae Herb South America

Communications in Plant Sciences (ISSN 2237-4027) Commun. Plant Sci. 5(3-4): 59-65 (Jul-Dec 2015) 64 Singh et al. 2015. Checklist of invasive alien species in CSIR-NBRI Botanic Garden, Lucknow, India.

67. Peristrophe paniculata (Forssk.) Brummitt Acanthaceae Herb Tropical America 68. Phalaris minor Retz Poaceae Herb Mediterranean 69. Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. Euphorbiaceae Herb Tropical America 70. Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm. Urticaceae Herb South America 71. Pilea pumila (L.) A. Gray Urticaceae Herb North America 72. Poa annua L. Poaceae Herb Mediterranean and Africa 73. Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. Poaceae Herb Europe 74. Portulaca oleracea L. Portulacaceae Herb South America 75. Portulaca pilosa L. Portulacaceae Herb America 76. Portulaca quadrifida L. Portulacaceae Herb Tropical America 77. Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. Fabaceae Tree Mexico 78. Rauvolfia tetraphylla L. Apocynaceae Herb West Iindies 79. Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC. Fabaceae Herb N. & S. America, Tropical Africa 80. Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae Shrub Africa 81. Rivina humilis L. Phytolaccaceae Herb America 82. Ruellia humilis Nutt. Acanthaceae Herb Eastern United States 83. Ruellia tuberose L. Acanthaceae Herb Tropical America 84. Rumex dentatus L. Polygonaceae Herb North Africa 85. Scoparia dulcis L. Scrophulariaceae Herb Tropical America 86. Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv. Poaceae Herb East Asia 87. Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv. Poaceae Herb Europe 88. Sida acuta Burm.f. Malvaceae Herb Tropical America 89. Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Herb Tropical America 90. Sonchus asper (L.) Hill Asteraceae Herb Mediterranean 91. Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L. Asteraceae Herb Mediterranean 92. Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Poaceae Herb Mediterranean 93. Spergula arvensis L. Carophyllaceae Herb Europe 94. Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Carophyllaceae Herb Europe 95. Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss. Talinaceae Herb South America 96. Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg. Asteraceae Herb Mediterranean and Africa 97. Trianthema portulacastrum L. Aizoaceae Herb Africa, North and South America 98. Tridax procumbens (L.) L. Asteraceae Herb Central America 99. Triumfetta pentandra A.Rich. Tiliaceae Herb Africa 100. Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. Tiliaceae Herb Tropical America 101. Urena lobata L. Malvaceae Herb Tropical America 102. Vicia hirsuta (L.) Gray Fabaceae Herb Europe and western Asia 103. Vicia sativa L. Fabaceae Herb Mediterranean

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RESUMO

Lista de verificação de espécies exóticas invasoras em Botanic Garden CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, na Índia. As espécies exóticas invasoras do CSIR-NBRI Botanic Garden são enumeradas e seu impacto sobre o ecossistema ao redor é discutido. Este estudo trata da informação sobre hábito, natividade e família das espécies de planta que ocorrem na área de estudo. Registrou-se um total de 103 espécies exóticas invasoras pertencentes a 86 gêneros e 36 famílias. Dentre estas, as eudicotiledôneas representam 85 espécies, 69 gêneros e 32 famílias; monocotiledôneas representam 18 espécies, 17 gêneros e 4 famílias. Em termos de natividade, espécies da América tropical são o grupo dominante, com 34 espécies. Além disso, baseado no hábito de crescimento, as plantas herbáceas são dominantes (88 espécies), seguidas por arbustos (8 espécies), trepadeiras (4 espécies) e árvores (3 espécies).

Palavras-chave: Espécies exóticas invasoras, NBRI Botanic

Garden, Lucknow.

Quality of English writing and reference information

are of totally responsibility of authors.

Communications in Plant Sciences (ISSN 2237-4027) Commun. Plant Sci. 5(3-4): 59-65 (Jul-Dec 2015)