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https://doi.org/10.37427/botcro-2025-009

Additional data on the ongoing naturalization of the non-native woody plant Duranta erecta (Verbenaceae) in Sicily, Italy

Salvatore Pasta ; Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), National Research Council (CNR), Unit of Palermo, via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Pietro Lo Cascio ; Associazione Nesos, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 24, 98055 Lipari (ME), Italy
Emilio Badalamenti ; University of Palermo, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy *

* Autor za dopisivanje.

Sažetak

We recorded the occurrence of Duranta erecta L. in the Aeolian Islands (Sicily, Italy), where it currently behaves as a casual alien. At the global scale, however, this woody species has shown highly invasive behaviour in different island ecosystems. On the basis of this evidence, we have investigated which ecological and biological traits may have allowed its establishment and spread, and could trigger its further expansion in the Aeolian Islands in the near future. Several factors seem to have favoured its success on a global scale, such as the wide edaphic and climatic range, the tolerance to anthropogenic disturbance, and the production of toxic metabolites that protect it from herbivore browsing and from competition with other plants. The study of the organisms that perform pollination and seed dispersal is probably the key to understanding the local naturalization of this plant, introduced about three centuries ago in Europe and the Mediterranean, here discussed in detail for the first time.

Ključne riječi

alien woody plants; early detection; golden dewdrop; hedge plant; invasion biology

Hrčak ID:

319703

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/319703

Datum izdavanja:

1.4.2025.

Posjeta: 0 *