22.2 Material and Methods
Invasive alien species are defined according with Richardson et al. (2000) and
Weber (2005). The nomenclature of the species is in accordance with Flora
Europaea (Tutin et al. 1980) and the Vascular Plants of Romania (S^ arbu et al.
2013). The taxonomic affiliation of the species follows the recommendations of
the Angiosperms Phylogeny Group III system (APG III 2009). Chorological data
are given on the basis of the field observations and of the national and international literature (Cioc^ arlan et al. 2004; S^ arbu et al. 2013; Verloove and Sanchez
Gullon 2012; DeLissle 1963; Arianoutsou et al. 2010; Mosyakin 1995, EPPO
Global Database). The nomenclature of the plant communities and of the
syntaxonomic units is in accordance with Sanda et al. (2008). The phytosociological releves were accomplished in accordance with the methodology of BraunBlanquet’ school.
22.3 Results and Discussion
Cenchrus longispinus seems to be the most widespread species of the genus
Cenchrus in the Mediterranean area (Verloove and Sanchez Gullon 2012). Native
in United States, Southern Canada, Mexico, Central America and the West Indies
(DeLissle 1963), the longspine sandbur is naturalized in Australia, South Africa,
Iran, the Mediterranean area – in Italy, Croatia, France, Greece, Israel, Morocco
(Verloove and Sanchez Gullon 2012), Western Europe – in Belgium, Central and
Eastern Europe – in Hungary, Ukraine and Romania (www.eppo.int). The Adriatic
Sea coast in Italy is probably the oldest centre of naturalization of Cenchrus
longispinus in Europe. In Italy, this species has been known since 1933 from
Lido del Cavallino, in Venezia province (Corbetta 1964) and is presently widely
naturalized in this area (Verloove and Sanchez Gullon 2012).
In Ukraine, one of the neighboring countries of Romania, Cenchrus longispinus
is an aggressive weed in sandy habitats in the south of the country and in ruderal
habitats within the city of Dnipro. Cenchrus longispinus is invading the Black Sea
Biosphere Reserve in Ukraine where it colonizes sandy steppes and alluvial habitats. In Hungary, the plant is recorded in open grasslands, particularly in the great
Hungarian Plain (www.eppo.int).
Longspine sandbur is an annual or short lived perennial plant which belongs to
Poaceae family, Panicoideae subfamily and Paniceae tribus (APG III 2009). It has
several upright stems or creeping along the ground, often forming mats. (Fig. 22.1).
Each stem and upper branch terminates in a spike with 4–20 spiny burs (Fig. 22.2).
Burs consist of flower clusters enclosed in spiny bracts. The outer surfaces of the
burs are covered with flattened spines, more or less pubescent, up to 6 mm long. The
spines become very sharp when the burs dry. The fruits (achenes) persist in the burs.
After maturing, the spiny fruits become yellow and finally light tan. Flowering
takes place from July through September (www.illinoiswildflowers.info).
22 Cenchrus longispinus (Hack) Fernald, One of the most Aggressive. . .
385
Invasive alien species are defined according with Richardson et al. (2000) and
Weber (2005). The nomenclature of the species is in accordance with Flora
Europaea (Tutin et al. 1980) and the Vascular Plants of Romania (S^ arbu et al.
2013). The taxonomic affiliation of the species follows the recommendations of
the Angiosperms Phylogeny Group III system (APG III 2009). Chorological data
are given on the basis of the field observations and of the national and international literature (Cioc^ arlan et al. 2004; S^ arbu et al. 2013; Verloove and Sanchez
Gullon 2012; DeLissle 1963; Arianoutsou et al. 2010; Mosyakin 1995, EPPO
Global Database). The nomenclature of the plant communities and of the
syntaxonomic units is in accordance with Sanda et al. (2008). The phytosociological releves were accomplished in accordance with the methodology of BraunBlanquet’ school.
22.3 Results and Discussion
Cenchrus longispinus seems to be the most widespread species of the genus
Cenchrus in the Mediterranean area (Verloove and Sanchez Gullon 2012). Native
in United States, Southern Canada, Mexico, Central America and the West Indies
(DeLissle 1963), the longspine sandbur is naturalized in Australia, South Africa,
Iran, the Mediterranean area – in Italy, Croatia, France, Greece, Israel, Morocco
(Verloove and Sanchez Gullon 2012), Western Europe – in Belgium, Central and
Eastern Europe – in Hungary, Ukraine and Romania (www.eppo.int). The Adriatic
Sea coast in Italy is probably the oldest centre of naturalization of Cenchrus
longispinus in Europe. In Italy, this species has been known since 1933 from
Lido del Cavallino, in Venezia province (Corbetta 1964) and is presently widely
naturalized in this area (Verloove and Sanchez Gullon 2012).
In Ukraine, one of the neighboring countries of Romania, Cenchrus longispinus
is an aggressive weed in sandy habitats in the south of the country and in ruderal
habitats within the city of Dnipro. Cenchrus longispinus is invading the Black Sea
Biosphere Reserve in Ukraine where it colonizes sandy steppes and alluvial habitats. In Hungary, the plant is recorded in open grasslands, particularly in the great
Hungarian Plain (www.eppo.int).
Longspine sandbur is an annual or short lived perennial plant which belongs to
Poaceae family, Panicoideae subfamily and Paniceae tribus (APG III 2009). It has
several upright stems or creeping along the ground, often forming mats. (Fig. 22.1).
Each stem and upper branch terminates in a spike with 4–20 spiny burs (Fig. 22.2).
Burs consist of flower clusters enclosed in spiny bracts. The outer surfaces of the
burs are covered with flattened spines, more or less pubescent, up to 6 mm long. The
spines become very sharp when the burs dry. The fruits (achenes) persist in the burs.
After maturing, the spiny fruits become yellow and finally light tan. Flowering
takes place from July through September (www.illinoiswildflowers.info).
22 Cenchrus longispinus (Hack) Fernald, One of the most Aggressive. . .
385