0071212 issg Database: Impact Information for Vitex rotundifolia

Vitex rotundifolia (shrub)

General Impact

Vitex rotundifolia is considered an invasive species in the Carolinas and has the potential to spread to many more coastal communities along the shores of the United States (Madsen,et al, 2005). Beach vitex is a rapidly growing and sprawling shrub both vertically and horizontally that is very tolerant of salt and drought (Gresham & Neal, undated). Beach vitex produces a large seed bank and can reproduce vegetatively through rooting at leaf nodes along runners (Gresham & Neal, undated). The impact of its aggressive growth pattern leads to little light reaching the soil surface where it dominates as monocultures preventing native species from establishing (Gresham & Neal, undated). In addition it has been suggested from scientific observations that the plant releases some allelopathic compounds that have actions in the soil to make it hydrophobic, causing drought stress to less tolerant native species (Gresham & Neal, undated). The structure of the plant's root system does not make it an ideal dune stabiliser compared to fibrous root systems of native species causing higher rates of dune erosion (SCNPS, undated). It causes mortality in young sea turtles by entangling them in its long runners and impacts nesting sites for reproductive females (SCNPS, undated) (please see impact information in the North and South Carolina distribution records). Beach vitex also impacts multi-million dollar beach renourishment projects (Madsen,et al, 2005).

Location Specific Impacts:

North Carolina (United States (USA)) Competition: Vitex competes for space and water resources with native vegetation. Threat to endangered species: Vitex has the potential to displace sea beach amaranth listed by the US federal government and by the state of North Carolina as 'Threatened' (see Amaranthus plumilus in Threatened and Endangered information. There are concerns that vitex stems covering the dunes and growing on the front beach may deter female sea turtles from digging their nests and laying eggs, and may trap hatchling turtles when they emerge from the nests (Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force, 2006). North Carolina is home to five species of seaturtles: Green Turtle considered 'threatened' by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (Please see Chelonia mydas in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species); Atlantic Hawksbill considered 'endangered' by the by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (please see Eretmochelys imbricata in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species); Loggerhead Sea Turtle considered 'threatened' by the by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (please see Caretta caretta in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species); Atlantic Ridley considered 'endangered' by the by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (please see Lepidochelys kempii in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species); Leatherback considered 'endangered' by the by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (please see Dermochelys coriacea in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species).

South Carolina (United States (USA)) Competition: Vitex competes for space and water resources with native vegetation. Threat to endangered species: Vitex has the potential to displace sea beach amaranth listed by the US federal government and by the state of North Carolina as 'Threatened' (see Amaranthus plumilus in Threatened and Endangered information. Sea turtle hatchlings can get entangled and killed in the sprawling branches. There are concerns that vitex stems covering the dunes and growing on the front beach may deter female sea turtles from digging their nests and laying eggs, and may trap hatchling turtles when they emerge from the nests (Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force, 2006). South Carolina is home to four species of seaturtles: Green Turtle considered 'threatened' by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (Please see Chelonia mydas in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species); Loggerhead Sea Turtle considered 'threatened' by the by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (please see Caretta caretta in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species); Atlantic Ridley considered 'endangered' by the by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (please see Lepidochelys kempii in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species); Leatherback considered 'endangered' by the by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (please see Dermochelys coriacea in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species).

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http://www.issg.org/database/species/impact_info.asp?si=1110&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN&ver=print&prtflag=false[3/2/2012 10:49:57 AM]