Open AccessLepidium oblongum (Brassicaceae) appeared on Hungarian railways: the beginning of a wider European conquest?
Author(s) -
Dávid Schmidt,
Attila Mesterházy,
János Csiky
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
acta botanica croatica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.284
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1847-8476
pISSN - 0365-0588
DOI - 10.37427/botcro-2021-030
Subject(s) - conquest , brassicaceae , habitat , invasive species , geography , flora (microbiology) , ecology , biology , history , ancient history , paleontology , bacteria
Lepidium oblongum, of American origin is a new member of theEuropean adventive flora, only detected in Romania so far. The first Hungarianstand was discovered in 2018, and others in 2020. Based on our studies, wedetail its morphological characteristics in comparison with other Lepidium species. We present a newdrawing and a table to help identify the species. Lepidium oblongum is easily identifiable by its divided (lobed orlobed-dentated) upper stem leaves. By analyzing selected climatic parameters weshow that the new European habitats are found in the drier and cooler summersubtype of the humid continental climate belt. In Hungary, it spreads directlyalong the railways. The establishment of individual populations can beinfluenced by the location of cargo unloading and the movement of railwayworkers. Lepidium oblongum occupiesgravelly, sun-exposed habitats along Hungarian railway tracks such as loadingplatforms, guardhouses and goods stations. Based on its high stress andclimatic tolerance and initial spread-rate, it is consider to be a naturalizedmember of the European adventive flora, that could be potentially invasivealong the European railways.