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A new alien species in Hungary: the occurrence of Sabulina tenuifolia in Budapest
15–26Views:535Railways are important introduction and dispersal corridors for plant species. The first establishment and spread of many alien plant species in Hungary can be linked to railways nowadays. Sabulina tenuifolia (L.) Rchb. is a sub-Atlantic–sub-Mediterranean–Western-Asian plant, which was not previously known from the flora of Hungary, but a small population of the species was found in Budapest, at the Rákospalota-Újpest railway station. The plant was probably introduced as a stowaway of rail transport and its further spread along railways is expected. The inclusion of the species in the Hungarian plant identification key has been published in the article.
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Spreading along the railways: morphology and invasion success of Vulpia ciliata in Hungary
145–156Views:1200Vulpia 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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The historical occurrence of Digitaria ciliaris in Hungary – results of a herbarium survey
53–62Views:498Revision of genus Digitaria in BP Herbarium Carpato-Pannonicum collection helped to discover the historical occurrence of Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler from Győr, in the area of an old cotton and wool processing and textile factory. However, it has been proved that the previously published Hungarian records of the species are all wrong, as the Digitaria-keys of Hungarian herbals misinterpreted the taxon, mainly as a synonym of D. sanguinalis subsp. pectiniformis. The herbarium survey confirmed that D. sanguinalis is the most common taxon in Hungary. D. sanguinalis subsp. pectiniformis is also widespread, but probably somewhat under-mapped. Probably not native to Hungary, most probably an archeophyte taxon. Specimens have been collected from disturbed habitats associated to railways and from xerothermic vineyard areas for over a hundred years. D. ischaemum is certainly native to the region, with a recognisable natural distribution pattern, and is found mainly in the sandy and gravelly soils of the lowland and hilly areas of the country. This species has recently become more common in urban areas across the country with the recent spread of sand-lined pavements. D. ciliaris of tropical/subtropical origin is a casual alien species that was formerly present in the Hungarian flora.
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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:476The 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).