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Studia Universitatis

NOTE ABOUT THE INVASIVE IN THE (WEST )

Gheorghe PELE1, Aurel ARDELEAN2, Violeta TURCUŞ*2 1ANIF Arad, Romania 2 „Vasile Goldiş” Western University, Arad, Romania

* Correspondence: Violeta Turcus, Vasile Goldis Western University Arad, Faculty of Natural Sciences, no. 91-93 Rebreanu St., Arad, Romania, tel/fax +40-257-228622, email: [email protected] Received: april 2008; Published: may 2008

ABSTRACT. The paper presents a list of non-native invasive plants in the Arad county (West Romania). For each of 10 found , the authors mention the main biological, ecological, and chorological traits, as well as their populations locations in the Arad county. These data combines informations from scientific references and original results. It is mentioned that the most infested area in the Arad county is the Mureş Valley. For some species like Ambrosia artemisiifolia, subsp. italicum and specific management measures should be taken.

Keywords: invasive plants, Arad county, management, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Xanthium strumarium subsp. italicum, Amorpha fruticosa

INTRODUCTION The economic effects of introductions can The flora of a region has a continuous dynamic: have also negative effects on the local biodiversity. some species restrain their areas, other species migrate There is well known that the introduction of (plants and occupy new biogeographical territories. In the last and animal) species is the second cause of reducing two centuries, man became the most important agent in biodiversity, after the destruction of habitats. spreading plant species. Introducing new useful plants Dissapearing of a native plant species can lead to lost is a process generated the accidental introduction of of animals that use it as food or shelter. weeds. We know today many examples, from antiquity Adventive plants such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia to our days (Cousens and Mortimore, 1995). Plants are generating allergies. Robinia pseudacacia itroduced are known as exotic, non-native, non- modifies the whole structure of plant communities. indigenous, etc. species. When a species manifests the Xanthium stumarium subsp. italicum or Conyza tendency to increase its habitat or biogeographical area, canadensis are hard to control weeds in cultivated or it is considered an invasive. There are many definitions abandoned fields. of (Pysek, 1995, Dihoru, 2004): In any case, the control of invasives is to be done, • non-native species in a semi-natural habitat; first by putting native species in a favorable conditions • native or non-native species entering in a new for competitions. If this strategy is not enough, control (type of) habitat; methods (physical, chemical or biological) must be • non-native or native plant species increasing applied. Fighting against invasives by biological its populations; methods is an expensive and risky method because it • any non-native species. can require introducing new parasite or predator It appears that the meaning of „invasive plant” must species in an . Beside, global warming can be analysed according to context. In this paper, we deal bring advantages to invasives. with the invasive plants in the Arad county, and we Altough countries have a quarantine system, the consider as belonging to this category non-native globalization of trade is still a factor of plants plants for Romania, introduced by man or other migrations. disemination agent. In this view, we focus on species in biogeographical expansion, and we exculde species MATERIALS AND METHODS as Pteridium aquilinum or (commonly Our study was carried out during 2005-2006, in considered as invasive in meadows), or weeds infesting most communes of the Arad county. We recorded new fields. species and observations about their habitat and Not any non-native species become invasive: some abundance. We used the curent works to identify of them are filtered by the biotope or biocenosis species (Ciocârlan, 2000). The names were taken from factors. Plants that find a similar environment to that of the electronic Flora Europaea (www.rbge.org.uk). The their native area succeed. In the Romanian flora there following description list includes also the economic are introduced species that behave like natives now importance of the described plants, and the (Robinia pseudacacia, Ailanthus glandulosa, Elodea management methods. We ignored recently introduced canadensis, Acorus calamus). Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldiș”, Seria Ştiințele Vieţii (Life Sciences Series), vol. 18, 2008 © 2008 Vasile Goldis University Press 353 http://www.studiauniversitatis.ro Studia Universitatis plants that can survive as sub-spontaneous for 1-2 Ceratophyllum demersum L., Ceratophyllaceae years, in unsignificant populations. Aquatic plants, with stems exceeding 2 m in lenght. Many small at each node, small . Spiny RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS of 4-5 mm lenght. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Current romanian botanical works present this Annual plant, with composed leaves, similar of species as cosmopolite one (e.g. Ardelean, 2006), but it those of Artemisia, as the epitet in the scientific name. originates from the northern side of the USA, and Male inflorescencs at extremities, female ones (1-3), at became well spread because of changes (amateur and the base of each group. resting professional works in aquaculture). enveloped in supreme leaves. It prefers sandy substratums an can propagate by It originates in the USA, and was introduced the vegetative way. C. demersum forms dense accidentally in after 1850, by mean of a communities, sometimes monospecific, eliminating transportation. Is a ruderal plant with some ather aquatic plants. In comparison to other species the tendency to become a weed (Fărcășescu et al., 2007). It vegetation season starts earlier and it can colonize is one of the most noxious pollen producer (Faur and ponds of 0.5 m to 15 m depth. Other interesant Ianovici, 2001). characteristic is the ability to compete phytoplancton Săvulescu (1952-1976, IX, p. 303) cites this species by using light and mineral nitrogen, as well as by in the Cluj Region and the Region, but at eliminating inhibitors (allelopathy). present, is almost common to south Romania Săvulescu (1972-1976, III, pp. 53-54) cites the (Ciocârlan, 2000). Hodișana and Morar (2007) mention species, in the Arad county, at , , , this species as common for the whole Western Ceala; besides these locations, we found the species in Romanian Plain, including too the Arad county. We . For the moment, there is no need to apply found populations of A. artemisiifolia in Arad, specific methods to reduce the populations of the C. Sâmbăteni, , Şiria, , Şemlac, Ghioroc, demersum. Lipova, and there is a high propability that it occurs in To control this plant, herbicides can be used, but many other localities too. not in fishing ponds. A biological way to reduce its The plant grows in moderate to xeric conditions, at abundance is to populate the ponds with herbivorous the road sides, abandoned fields (at least the first 1-2 (Ctenopharyngodon idella), even the plant years follwing the cultivation). As a weed, we found A. does not constitute the favourite menu of this fish artemisiifolia in potato, maize, bean, sunflower, and species. Mechanical methods to eliminate the plant are soybean cultures. It does not grow in fields, expensive. because the competition in the dense carpet created by the wheat plants. Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link. (Sarothamnus As management tools, any method to destroy its scoparius (L.) Wimmer ex Koch), populations must be applied before the plant produces leaves , originated in southern pollen. Europe an . Green branches, and a hight about 2 According to our results, A. artemisiifolia is one of m. The flowers have a vivid yellow colour; it gives to the most dangerous invasives in the studied area, and the plant a high decorative value. It is also a medicinal its expansion will be amplified by the arridization and plants because of an alcaloid (spartein). warming of the climate. The presence of the plant in The plant is cited by Săvulescu (1952-1976, V, pp. one location should be taken as a public healthy 77-78), in the Arad county, at , Gurahonţ, problem. Căsoaia. It seems that C. scoparius was introduced during the Habsburg Empire dominion in order to Amorpha fruticosa L., Fabaceae provide food for the game in winters. We identified the Clonal shrub, 1-3 m high. Composed leaves, purple species in the same locations, on soils with conditions flowers at the top of branches. similar to those described by HOSHOVSCHI (1986 at It originates in and was introduced www.tela-botanica.org): mean pH, sunny habitats, in Europe both as , and to protect soils without winds. against . Used also as a tinctorial and in In spite of an important seed production, the medicine, the plant expresses a typical sub- expansion of species is limited to some areas but this spontaneous and invasive behaviour. It has a good potential should send to continuous survey. resistance to environment factors. When the populations become massive, plants must It grows on floodplain areas, as well in hilly be destroyd by cutting. We disaprouve planting this regions. species to be used as forrage for big game (deers) In the studied area, we found the species on the inside botanical reserves and national parks. whole Mureş Valley, from Lipova to Cenad, and in the Crişul Alb Valley, where it forms dense patches, glandulifera Royle, sometimes on many acres surfaces. Annual , 2 m high. Two or three To reduce its expansion requires to cut many times big leaves per node. Axilar . Big pink in the year and planting native in its proximity (in flowers, that gives a spectacular aspect to the plant. order to shadow the clones of Amorpha fruticosa). It originates from Himalaya, and was introduced in Europe as ornamental plant. As Reynoutria japonica, it prefers riparian habitats in hilly areas. In Romania, it Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldiş”, Seria Ştiințele Vieţii (Life Sciences Series), vol. 18, 2008 354 © 2008 Vasile Goldis University Press http://www.studiauniversitatis.ro Studia Universitatis can be found in many counties: Cluj, Bistriţa-Năsăud, as an ornamental plant and escaped from gardens Prahova, Braşov, Hunedoara, Mureş (Săvulescu, 1952- becoming sub-spontaneous. 1976, VI, p. 168). We find this species in the Crişul Alb Valley, at We identified the species in the Mureş Valley, near Lipova, Şiria, Sebiş, and . It seems that the Săvârşin. A possible way of transportation is species will spread to new zones, given its reproductive water. Another one is putting illegally contaminated potential and the lack of predators or parasites, as the soil from gardens along rivers. Taking into process took place in Europe. The only reasonable consideration the situation of waters management in measure to limit the spreading of R. japonica is to cut the Arad county, this species have all chances to spread young stems many times a year. Local application of more. herbicides is expensive but could be a good method in case of huge populations. americana L., There are 25 species in the Phytolacca . P. Robinia pseudacacia L., Fabaceae americana originates in North America, and was native from the southern parts of the USA, introduced on other continents for many purposes with a hight going to 20 m. Composed leaves (7-21 (tintorial plant, decorative, eadible fruits in some leaflets), and paired, characteristic thorns. White- cases). In Europe it was first cultivated in Spain, yellowish, odorant flowers. Portugal, and for the colouring of wines. The vivacity of this tree is given by the symbiosis Recentlly, was dicovered that the plant contains an with nitrogen fixation bacteria, that allows it to anti-viral protein used against HIV. colonize unfertile soils, and by vegetative Herbaceous plant that reaches 2 m in hight, with a multiplication. It prefers sandy soils, where it forms huge root, and a sympodial ramification system. Fruits specific plant communities. are black berries, prefered (so diseminated) by . In The trees was introduced in Europe about 1600 as the USA, the fruits were used to be eaten by migratory an ornamental plant. It is also appreciated as one of the pigeon, nowadays extinct species. most visited by bees plant. It provides protection It prefers fertile soils; plants on poor soils have against wind and wind erosion. The wood is dense and smaller hights. Phytolacca grows at forest borders, suitable to be used for domestic purposes. On degraded uncultivated surfaces near villages and towns. The lands, Robinia pseudacacia virtually do not have populations we found were not numerous. It was competitors among other tree species. prouved that leaves are toxic for ruminants (www.tela- Besides its economic importance, there was noticed botanica.org). Cases of toxicity were reported at an expansion of this species from plains to hill areas, horses, cows and pigs. For sheep, the lethal dose is during the last decades. If so far, measures to reduce estimated to 500-1000 mg fresh plant per kg animal sub-spontaneous populations were not to be applied, weight. the situation has changed, and will not be the same the The invasiveness of this species is made by some next years. factors as: In our opinion, the management of this species • producing many seed (10 seeds in a , should be build considering at least two nuances: hundreds of berries per individual); • in plain areas, in the ecological reconstruction • easily disemination by birds; of dumps we should encourage the expansion • long time keeped viability of seeds in soil; of R. pseudacacia. In plains it is a verry well • reduced predatorism by herbivorous, due to adapted species to arridity. In ecological the toxicity. reconstruction, the strategy should include We found this species in Arad, Lipova, Radna, cultivating during the 10-15 first years, untill , Şiria, Săvârşin in small populations. Săvulescu soil and community become stable; after this (1952, p. 611) reports this species as present mainly in stage, native trees are suitable to replace the the southern parts of Romania. At present, we consider species. this species to be not verry dangerous, in order to apply • in hilly forests, R. pseudacacia shoul be specific eradications methods. Flora Europaea eliminated, because its presence lead to mentions the species, with the synonym P. decandra, significant changes in herbaceous community. in southern and . So, the plants under R. pseudacacia canopy As management measure, we recomend to destroy (Bromo sterili-Robinietum Pócs 1954 - Sanda, plants (easy to recognize) before they produce fruits. 2002) are: sterilis, Anthriscus trichosperma, , Conium Reynoutria japonica Houtt., Polygonaceae maculatum Chelidonium majus, while under Vigurous perenial herbaceaous plant, 2 m high, the native broadleaf forest grow Geranium with rhizome. Large leaves, numerous white flowers in robertianum, , Dactylis dense inflorescences. aschersoniana etc. A such example is Originating from Japan, this species can hybrydate presented by Arsene (2003), from the Lunca with R. sachallinensis (Pysek et al., 2003) and can Pogănişului botanical reserve (Timiş county), easily propagate by vegetative way. Late in summer, where the replacement of Quercus robur and when in blossom, the of R. japonica create Fraxinus excelsior by Robinia pseudacacia patches in riparian zones. In Romania it was introduced created the conditions of quasi-disapearence of Fritillaria meleagris. Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldiș”, Seria Ştiințele Vieţii (Life Sciences Series), vol. 18, 2008 © 2008 Vasile Goldis University Press 355 http://www.studiauniversitatis.ro Studia Universitatis

Rudbeckia laciniata L., Asteraceae REFERENCES , with rhizome, and a hight Ardelean A., Flora şi vegetaţia judeţului Arad, Ed. exceeding 2 m in hight in good habitats. The leaves are Academiei Române, Bucureşti, 2006 2-3 leaflets composed. Big inflorescences, until 12 cm Arsene G.G., Contribuţie la corologia speciei in diameter. Fritillaria meleagris L. în România, Lucrări Introduced in Europe in 1750 (Săvulescu, IX, pp. ştiinţifice, U.S.A.M.V.B. Timişoara, Facultatea 325-326), as a decorative plant. It is typical for the de Agricultură, XXXV, pp. 467-472, 2003 plain and hilly areas, along river sides, as well in Ciocârlan, V., Flora mică ilustrată a României. abandoned fields or neglected areas near gardens. Pteridophyta et Spermatophyta, Ed. Ceres, We identified the species in the Zimbru Valley, Bucureşti, 2000 near Gurahonţ, as mentioned by Ardelean (2006), in Coste, I., Probleme ecologice ale agriculturii şi compact patches. We did not notice any management spaţiului rural din România – un punct de measure applied. We suppose this species will spread, vedere, în „Omul şi mediul”, Zilele Academice in the absence of control. Timişene, ed. a VIIIa, 22 mai 2003, Academia Română, Filiala Timişoara, Comisia pentru Xanthium strumarium L. subsp. italicum Combaterea Poluării Mediului (on CD-ROM), (Moretti) D. Löve (= X. italicum Moretti), 2003 Asteraceae Cousens, R., Mortimer, M., Dynamics of weed This subspecies became last decades a common populations, Cambridge University Press, pp. weed in Romania. It differs from X. strumarium by the 21-44, 1995 size of fruits (16-25 mm, in comparison with 15 mm), Dihoru, G., Invasive plants in Romania’s flora, Analele by the highest density of fruit spines, and by its Universităţii din Craiova, IX (XLV), pp. 73-82, pleasant smell. 2004 Annual plant, up to 1 m high, with triangular, lobed Faur, A., Ianovici, N., Dinamica polenului de leaves. The fruits are in pairs, closed in a common Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Conferinţa spiny structure (united hypsophilles). Naţională de alergologie şi Imunologie, Târgu- Săvulescu (1952-1976, IX, p. 312) cites the species Mureş, 2001 in Romanian plain areas, and in the Arad county at Fărcăşescu, A., LAUER, K.F., Ambrosia artemisiifolia . In fact, X. s. subsp italicum is verry common L.: a segetal species with a tendency to and frequent, being easily spread by sheep. It occurs as expansion in the Timiş County, Lucrări a weed in maize, sunflower, soybean, but can be found ştiinţifice, U.S.A.M.V.B. Timişoara, Facultatea in many ruderal areas. Another facilitating factor in de Agricultură, XXXIX, I, pp. 471-482, 2007 spreading the fruits is water, knowing that Xanthium Hartzler, R.G., Buhler, D.D., Stoltenberg, D.E., species grows in floodplains. Emergence characteristics of four annual weed We identify this subspecies in the majority of Arad species, Weed Science, 47, 5, pp. 578-584, 1999 county localities, sometimes in huge poopulations, as Hodişan, N., Morar, G., Răspândirea speciei invazive well as weed or ruderal. It is to be expected to assist to floarea pustei (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), the expansion of this thermophilous species in the buruiană de carantină în nord-vestul României, conditions of climate warming. Lucrări ştiinţifice, USAMVB Timişoara, As control methods, plant rotation (the plant do not Facultatea de Agricultură, XXXIX, pp. 499- find conditions in wheat fields), mecanical destruction 502, 2007 are the most effective. Pyšek, P., On the terminology used in plant invasions studies, in Pyšek, P., Prach, K., Rejmanek, M., Wade, M., 1995, Plant invasions: general CONCLUSIONS aspects and special problems, SPB Academic We identified 10 plant invasive species in the Publishing, The Hague, The , pp. county of Arad. 71-81, 1995 Among these species, the most problematic are Pyšek, P., How reliable are data on alien species in Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Xanthium strumarium subsp. Flora Europaea ?, Flora, 198, pp. 499-507, 2003 italicum, Amorpha fruticosa. Pyšek, P., Brock, J.H., Bimova, K., Handak, B., The most infested area with inavive plants apears Jarosik, V., Koukolikova, I., Pergl, J., Stepanek, the Mureş Valley. J., Vegetative regeneration in invasive There is not a strategy to limit the expansion of Reynoutria (Polygonaceae) taxa: the invasive plants in the Arad county. at least there is a determination of invasibility at the genotype need to apply control methods of Ambrosia level, American Journal of , 90, 10, pp. artemisiifolia because its alergenic pollen just like in 1487-1495, 2003 other European countries (e.g. Hungary). Pyšek, P., Prach, K., Plant invasion and the role of riparian habitats: a comparison of four species alien to central Europe, Journal of Biogegraphy, 20, pp. 413-420, 1993 Rejmanek, M., What makes a species invasive ?, in Pyšek, P., Prach, K., Rejmanek, M., Wade, M., 1995, Plant invasions: general aspects and Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldiş”, Seria Ştiințele Vieţii (Life Sciences Series), vol. 18, 2008 356 © 2008 Vasile Goldis University Press http://www.studiauniversitatis.ro Studia Universitatis

special problems, SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, The Netherlands, pp. 3-13, 1995 Sanda, V., Vademecum ceno-structural privind covorul vegetal din România, Ed. Vergiliu, Bucureşti, 2002 Săvulescu, T. (main red.), Flora Republicii Populare / Socialiste România, I-XIII, Ed. Academiei Republicii Populare / Socialiste Române, Bucureşti, 1952-1976

Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldiș”, Seria Ştiințele Vieţii (Life Sciences Series), vol. 18, 2008 © 2008 Vasile Goldis University Press 357 http://www.studiauniversitatis.ro Studia Universitatis

Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldiş”, Seria Ştiințele Vieţii (Life Sciences Series), vol. 18, 2008 358 © 2008 Vasile Goldis University Press http://www.studiauniversitatis.ro