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Journal of the Australian Rangeland Society
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The distribution of Carrichtera annua in Australia: introduction, spread and probable limits

Julia Cooke A B D , R. H. Groves C and Julian Ash A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.

B Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia.

C CSIRO Plant Industry, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: julia.cooke@mq.edu.au

The Rangeland Journal 33(1) 23-35 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ10001
Submitted: 6 January 2010  Accepted: 18 January 2011   Published: 23 March 2011

Abstract

Carrichtera annua (L.) DC. (Brassicaceae) or Ward’s Weed, a major weed of semi-arid rangelands of southern Australia, has been collected widely since its introduction early in the 20th century. Collated records were used to suggest a single site of accidental introduction in South Australia, evidence of a lag phase of ~30 years (probably due to edaphic restrictions) before rapid spread, involving infrequent long-distance human-aided dispersal across southern Australia and a relatively stable range since the 1960s. Climate and soil analyses suggest that abiotic factors limit the distribution of C. annua, with the species being restricted to areas with winter-dominated rainfall and calcareous soils. Documentation of the history of a successful invasion, including the spread and probable limits of the current distribution of a species, is important for managing invasions. This study also highlights that a single, accidental introduction can result in a long-lasting, widespread problematic weed.

Additional keywords: climate, exotic, invasive, Mediterranean, soil type, weed.


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