1. First record of Koenigia divaricata (L.) T.M.Schust. & Reveal (Polygonaceae) in Poland.
- Author
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Łazarski, Grzegorz and Pliszko, Artur
- Subjects
POLYGONACEAE ,ORNAMENTAL plants ,ENDANGERED species ,INTRODUCED species ,BOTANY ,FODDER crops - Abstract
Koenigia divaricata (L.) T.M. Schust. & Reveal [syn. Polygonum divaricatum L.; Aconogonon divaricatum (L.) Nakai; Persicaria divaricata (L.) H. Gross], a perennial herb of Polygonaceae, is native to temperate Eastern Asia and usually occurs in steppes, dry meadows and thickets. In recent decades, the expansion of the species to the west and north of its native range has been observed. Moreover, it was introduced to Western and Southern Siberia and Europe. The naturalisation of K. divaricata was confirmed in some countries of Northern Europe and some parts of Russia (the European part of it, as well as Western and Southern Siberia). In Europe, it is a rare species, known mainly for its cultivation as an ornamental or fodder plant. Within its primary and secondary range in Russia, it spreads effectively along transport routes, occupying roadsides, railway embankments and wastelands in their vicinity. In this paper, we report the first spontaneous occurrence of K. divaricata in Poland. It was found in September 2021 in Stare Opole near Siedlce, eastern Poland, and confirmed in July 2022. Photographic documentation of the species and phytosociological characteristics of its habitat are presented. Moreover, the locality of the species is mapped using the ATPOL cartogram method. Most likely, K. divaricata was introduced by rail transport. Currently, it should be treated as a casual alien species in the Polish flora. However, its naturalisation in Poland is likely due to suitable climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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