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Three new grass species to the alien flora of Hungary: Paspalum dilatatum, Phalaris aquatica and Panicum schinzii
63–76Views:659In this paper, we present the new occurrence of two grass species previously unknown in the flora of Hungary and one grass species for which we have only one historical record. Panicum schinzii Hack. is an annual species from South Africa, Paspalum dilatatum Poir. is a perennial species originating from South America, and Phalaris aquatica L. is also a perennial taxon native to the Mediterranean. The only well-developed individual of Panicum schinzii was found on a gravel reef of the Rába river in Western Hungary, while the two newly observed perennial grass species appeared in the Great Hungarian Plain: a single individual of Paspalum dilatatum was observed in a suburban environment on the southern edge of the town of Soltvadkert, while a small population of Phalaris aquatica occurs along a highway near Szeged. In this paper, we describe the European distribution and habitat preference of these three species, we assess their invasion potential and we fit them into the Hungarian dichotomous key of vascular plants. Although we cannot state with certainty that the specimens of Panicum schinzii, Paspalum dilatatum and Phalaris aquatica we report here are the first ones that have ever appeared in Hungary, but their localities and the numbers of individuals suggest that they have entered the country very recently. The annual Panicum schinzii certainly arrived to Hungary naturally by the river Rába, while the perennial Paspalum dilatatum and Phalaris aquatica are more likely to have been introduced by human activities, but both inadvertently. Paspalum dilatatum arrived to its site near Soltvadkert by accident, in the form of propagules in some intentionally sown seed mixture. The fact that all three species are considered in some countries to be invasive or at least problematic species is a cause for concern.
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New occurrence of Cycloloma atriplicifolia in the Northern part of Kiskunság region (C Hungary)
107–108Views:418A new occurrence was found of the rare non-native species, Cycloloma atriplicifolia (Spreng.) J. M. Coult. in the Northern part of Kiskunság, Hungary on 02.07.2019 on a sandy road [N 47.297476°, E 19.382936°, KEF: 8782.1]. This is 80 km apart from the first and until now single occurrence of this species in Hungary. The authors removed the individuals, however, some seeds could remain in the soil. It is assumable, that the species was spread by wheels of the car used by the authors, as they visited the original occurrence of the species and the new one during the autumn in 2018 with the same car. This new occurrence draws attention to an important, but overlooked invasion pathway: to the invasion with cars of ecologists.
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Spreading along the railways: morphology and invasion success of Vulpia ciliata in Hungary
145–156Views:1156Vulpia ciliata Dumort, a widespread species in the Mediterranean region, has been introduced in several European countries in recent decades, mainly along railways. The species was first discovered in Hungary at Szolnok railway station in May 2016, then a few days later at Keleti railway station in Budapest. In 2020 the species was found in several Transdanubian railway stations. Apparently, V. ciliata has recently been established in numerous parts of the country, probably spreading by railway transport. Until now, the species has only been found in the vicinity of regularly used tracks (in a distance of 20 m at the most). Being an invasive alien species, V. ciliata can displace the native Vulpia myuros in ruderal vegetation along railway lines. The species can easily be distinguished from V. myuros by its hairy lemma. Moreover, it flowers earlier than the other two indigenous species in Hungary, often already in late April. Based on the characteristics examined (number of nodes in the upper 2 cm zone of the rachis, number of fruits per spikelet, rate of fertile and sterile florets within the spikelet, lower and upper glume length, lemma and awn length separately, rachis width in the upper 2 cm zone) we have concluded that V. bromoides and V. myuros are less different from each other than V. ciliata from these two species. In the case of V. ciliata subsp. ciliata, we observed that spikelets (detached from the inflorescens) function as dispersal units. Therefore we assume that the observed low fertility rate within the spikelets, as well as the presence of marginal cilia on lemmas promote the spreading success of V. ciliata (spreading in clusters, anemochory, zoochory, anthropochory). Its early maturation (in May) can also facilitate its spread along railways, because the populations survive the chemical weed control usually carried out in late spring. The other two Hungarian species usually ripen later (in June). For the time being, the spread of V. ciliata outside the Hungarian railway network may be hindered by climatic conditions, or by the lack of seasonal weed control outside that network, which otherwise offers a relative survival advantage for V. ciliata along railway tracks.
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Rubus armeniacus Focke, an unnoticed invader in the Hungarian flora
220-228Views:269The authors report on the occurrence, distribution and invasion potential of Rubus armeniacus, a bramble species of Caucasian origin, in Hungary. The first verified records of the species are from the 1990s. It has established strong populations in ruderal habitats mainly around Budapest and some other cities, whereas its competiveness is rather weak in closed non-lowland forests rich in native bramble species. In terms of conservation, it constitutes a real threat to the vegetation of Pannonian sandy habitats. The results of this study also emphasize the importance of recognising "nonnative cryptic species" for ecology and conservation biology.
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Research on the distribution of woolly cup grass (Eriochloa villosa) in the northern part of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Hungary
27–32Views:725Eriochloa villosa (Thunb.) Kunth was recorded for the first time in Hungary in 2007. Since then, the species spread intensively in the area and appeared at some other parts of Hungary. We carried out a research at the current distribution range of the species in the northern part of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county. We asked how big is the infested area surrounding the place of the first occurrence and whether other occurrences could be found in other parts of the investigated area. This article also gives a review on its known localities in Hungary and neighbouring areas. During the field research, 58 locations of the species were identified, it occurred mainly in ploughed and unploughed agricultural fields, and at some places in disturbed grasslands, too. It has spread on a large scale around the neighbouring areas of the first location found in 2007. Other locations were also found even at more distant places such as in the valley of the Sajó and Bódva rivers and in the Cserehát region. This means that further spread of Eriochloa villosa can be expected, especially in areas with an intensive agricultural activity, in disturbed grasslands, and a threat of its appearance is also suspected in open natural habitats.
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Contributions to knowledge on the distribution of nine adventive or invasive algae species in Hungary
11-21Views:263Hungarian records of nine adventive or invasive algae [Didymosphenia geminata, Nitzschia closterium, Reimeria sinuata, Navicula schroeteri, Pleurosira laevis (Bacillariophyceae); Pediastrum simplex (Chlorophyceae), Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi, Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides (Cyanobacteria)] are presented. Navicula schroeteri Meister is a new species for the Hungarian flora. Although the observed distribution patterns of these species were very different, the increasing frequency of their appearance indicates significant effect of climate change on abiotic environment of inland waters, such as the increase in water temperature, increase in salt concentration, and eutrophication. The significance of continuous biomonitoring is emphasized, which, through the recognition of natural and human-induced changes in species composition of algae, or the appearance and rapid expansion of non-indigenous species, can detect environmental changes of inland waters.
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Data on alien vascular plant species in Hungary II. (7–12)
253–264Views:608In the second part of our series providing data on alien plant species in Hungary, we address taxa belonging to the families Cabombaceae, Brassicaceae, Rubiaceae, Buxaceae, Violaceae and Compositae. We present new records of the distribution of Cabomba caroliniana on the Körös Plain: along the Élővíz Canal between the towns of Békés and Békéscsaba the species was found at 17 sites, covering a total area of more than 630 m² in slightly alkaline, low-conductivity water that remains unfrozen in winter. In Szentendre, we document a transient escape of Isatis tinctoria and several populations of Rubia tinctorum, some of which can be traced back to former cultivation. We report the first extra-garden, woodland occurrence of Pachysandra terminalis in Hungary and relate it to the dumping of green waste. We clarify the status of Viola prionantha in the Hungarian flora and list numerous occurrences mainly associated with urban pavements, parks and cemeteries. We detected a new occurrence of the Atlantic halophyte Cochlearia danica on the Great Hungarian Plain, near Karcag, along the Main Road 4. Finally, we describe the first Hungarian record of Symphyotrichum squamatum from pioneer silt surfaces along a canal near Szeged, highlighting its potential invasive role.
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Najas gracillima (A. Braun ex Engelmann) Magnus in Hungary
43-49Views:350Najas gracillima, an introduced species to Europe, naturally occurs in East-Asia and NorthAmerica. It was firstly discovered in Hungary in 2012 in our weed survey of rice fields in the vicinity of Szarvas, Gyomaendrőd and Mezőtúr. Although, it occurred in relatively high abundances in the rice fields along the Körös river its invasion is not expected into new habitats in the near future due to its special habitat preference and gregariousness.
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Lactuca tatarica (Asteraceae), a new species for the Hungarian alien flora
170-178Views:325The first occurrence of blue lettuce (Lactuca tatarica (L.) C.A. Mey.) is reported from Hungary. Information on its taxonomy, morphology, distribution, habitat preference and nature conservation aspects is presented. The European local spread of this Eurasian and North American species started at the end of the 1800s. The first localities were reported from the shores of the Baltic and North Sea. Its alien occurrences in inland European regions have been noticed since the 1920s. As L. tatarica have previously been known from the neighbouring territories of Slovakia and Austria, its appearance in Hungary is not at all unexpected. However, the species was found (August 2018) in the southern part of Csongrád county, i.e. far away from the above-mentioned countries. Due to the species’ habitat preference (ruderal ground), ecological requirements and successful vegetative propagation, which correspond to foreign observations, its future spread is highly probable.
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New data to spreading of Plantago coronopus in Hungary
99-101Views:621In this study, new data of the naturalized roadside alien Plantago coronopus L. found in 2020 are listed. Numerous stands have been detected at sites far from previously known localities. These data show that P. coronopus is still in an intense phase of its spread. The species currently known from 90 flora mapping units in Hungary. Its new observations come from the narrow vegetation strip along roadsides, with the exception of the new data from Szombathely, which comes from the parking lot of a shopping center.
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Current distribution of the potentially invasive narrow-leaved ragwort (Senecio inaequidens DC.) in Hungary
179-187Views:649Our study presents the actual status of potentially invasive Senecio inaequidens in Hungary. Literary and herbarium data are also discussed. We report some new data from ruderal places and near highways which are unmarked until now. The actualized distributional map of the species are given. We sign the potential habitat threats too.
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Escaping of Euphorbia myrsinites from cultivation in Eger (E Hungary)
253–256Views:316Euphorbia myrsinites L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a well-known ornamental plant with native distribution around the Mediterranean Basin, the Black Sea, the Caucasus region and Minor Asia. Its escape from cultivation and its naturalization in Western and Central Europe as well as in North America was reported in many cases. In Hungary, the casual escape of E. myrsinites has been documented more than fifty years ago and new observations were recently reported from different regions of the country. Here, I discuss a new record of the species from the town of Eger (E Hungary). The obtained data allow considering E. myrsinites as a locally naturalized species in the flora of Hungary. According to standardized criteria, the species may be able for local invasions too, but further observations are needed to accurately determine its present status in Hungary.
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Data on alien vascular plant species in Hungary I. (1–6)
65–80Views:1072This is the first in a series of papers by various authors presenting previously unpublished data relevant to the knowledge of alien vascular plants in Hungary. This paper deals with the families Pteridaceae, Brassicaceae, Plantaginaceae, Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. It includes new area records and distributional considerations for Cochlearia danica and Plantago coronopus spreading along Hungarian road-network as well as records of Panicum riparium from the Northern Hungarian Mountain range based on field work and herbarium revision. We note the importance of checking the data previously collected as P. capillare. Floristic data of two species not previously recorded in Hungary (Cardamine corymbosa, Ranunculus marginatus) and 3 sporadically occurring alien species (Aphanes australis, Lepidium didymum, Medicago arabica), from garden centres in the Debrecen area were published. A 7-year long survival of a population of Adiantum capillus-veneris in a traditional, abandoned well is also documented between 2017 and 2024. The paper reports that traffic infrastructure can facilitate the spread of Elymus elongatus along roads.
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The clammy goosefoot (Chenopodium pumilio R.BR.) in Zugló (Budapest) and new data on the distribution of invasive species in NE Hungary
221-226Views:444The paper summarise occurrences of some rare invasive weeds of Hungary. We found currently second population at the Australian origin Chenopodium pumilio in Budapest (Zugló) in September 2016. Further, 27 occurrence data of 8 other species (Amaranthus deflexus, Echium maculatum, Lepidium densiflorum, Oxybaphus nyctagineus, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Portulaca grandiflora, Sarothamnus scoparius, Tragus racemosus) is also reported in the persent paper from the ‘Északi-középhegyég’ area (Northeast-Hungary), and some data from beside the Hungarian–Slovakian border, especially settlements, strongly disturbed places (especially road curbs, pavement cracks, train stations), indicating the Central European flora mapping system quadrate number. Voucher specimens were deposited in herbarium of Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest (BP).
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Ethnobotanical and cultural significance of Chaerophyllum bulbosum in the Carpathian Basin
141–159Views:476Tuberous-rooted chervil (Chaerophyllum bulbosum) is one of the iconic plants in the Carpathian basin regarding ethnobotany. It is considered native to this region and it is known by about one hundred different Hungarian folk names and allophones. We have plenty of historical data about its gathering from the wild from the end of the 16th century, but certainly, it could have been collected much earlier by the people who lived here. In the whole Carpathian basin, mostly its tubers (and rarely the leaves as well) were gathered mainly by children, which were eaten in various forms and dishes, but most frequently raw as salad. Its popularity started to decline by the end of the 19th century, and in the middle of the 20th century, it was regarded as one of the ‘beets out of fashion’, which was slowly disappearing from the diet. From the 21st century, there is only one record about its gathering and consumption from Transylvania. In former times, along with other Chaerophyllum and Anthriscus species it was recommended to cure scorbute and diarrhoea and as a poultice for ulcers. In the Middle Ages, it was cultivated throughout Eastern and Central Europe, which could have also been true for the Carpathian Basin. Master Roger mentioned this species among the plants of devastated peasant gardens (1243, after the Mongol invasion). Thereafter, we have records only from the middle of the 19th century showing the obvious growing of its cultivated variety (called ‘chervil-beet’). However, its cultivation remained quite sporadic, and by the middle of the 20th century, it was already fully neglected. The plant occurred in Hungarian cookery books from the 16th century, especially in Transylvanian gastronomy. The remembrance of its former folk uses retained in Hungarian culture as well, it emerges in several poems and prose.