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Glechoma hederacea (Lamiaceae) in North America: invasion history and current distribution
Author(s) -
Scholler M.,
Böllmann J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
feddes repertorium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.24
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1522-239X
pISSN - 0014-8962
DOI - 10.1002/fedr.200311035
Subject(s) - geography , herbarium , range (aeronautics) , perennial plant , lamiaceae , temperate climate , ecology , biology , materials science , composite material
Glechoma hederacea L. (Ground‐ivy, Lamiaceae), a perennial mat‐forming herb, is native to the temperate regions of Eurasia and was introduced elsewhere (South East Asia, New Zealand and North America). Based on data obtained from herbaria, literature, online and other data bases and field studies, we documented the invasion history and current distribution of this plant in North America. At present, the plant is recorded from all but two continental states of the USA and all southern provinces of Canada. There are two main ranges: the larger one covers mainly the eastern part of the U.S.A. and a smaller one stretches along the West Coast. While published records of Glechoma hederacea date from 1814, the oldest specimen is from 1829. During the 19 th century the species spread westwards at a rate of approximately 30 km/year. The spread and present range of G. hederacea can only be explained by climatic factors (degree of oceanicity) and considering human activity. Especially long distance propagation of vegetative parts of the plants and the change of the environment that accompanies human settlements may have had a major influence on these processes. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)