Lycium ferocissimum Miers

Title: Lycium ferocissimum Miers

Scientific name:

Lycium ferocissimum Miers

Common name(s):

African boxthorn

Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: Subhumid and semi-arid subtropical regions where it occurs on drier soils. In Australia has been used as a hedge plant from where it has spread into pastures, neglected areas, and along roadsides, railway reserves and waterways. It grows on all soil types but establishes best on lighter soils, particularly along dry creek beds (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992). Boxthorn can invade dry coastal vegetation, lowland grassland & grassy woodland, riparian vegetation and rock outcrop vegetation (Carr et al., 1992)

Distribution:

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Original source via CABI

Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT

1. Germination requirements? Seeds germinate at any time of the year (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

2. Establishment requirements? Occurs in open areas (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

3. How much disturbance is required? Establishes in pastures (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001). Listed as 'problematic weed of agricultural situations' (Scott & Delfosses, 1992).

4. Life form? Large shrub (Carr et al 1992)

5. Allelopathic properties? No allelopathic properties described.

6. Tolerates herb pressure? Seldom grazed by stock because of the sharp spines (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

7. Normal growth rate? Early root growth is rapid ensuring young plants are competitive (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? Tolerant of drought and frost (refer to Australian Distribution). Some water logging (occurs in creek beds and along streams and rivers). (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

REPRODUCTION

9. Reproductive system? Reproducing by seed (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

10. Number of propagules produced? Fruit reproduction has ranged between 0 & 535. Seeds numerous. 500 fruit X 10 seeds per fruit = 5,000 seeds (Erkelenz & Carter, 1994).

11. Propagule longevity? ?

12. Reproductive period? Large shrub. Produces dense thickets (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

13. Time to reproductive maturity? Plants do not flower until at least 2 years old (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

DISPERSAL

14. Number of mechanisms? The fruit is commonly eaten by birds and foxes and the seeds are viable when excreted (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

15. How far do they disperse? Above animals could disperse seeds > 1km as quite mobile.

Impact Assessment

RECREATION

1. Restrict human access? “A dense spiny shrub to five meters high and wide. Extremely sharp spines prevent any movement through dense stands." (Muyt, 2001). In one reported infestation some roads were practically impassable. The spines are strong enough to puncture pneumatic tyres. Serious impact on human access (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001).

2. Reduce tourism? Dense infestations likely to have major impact in recreation. The plant is known to invade roadsides, sand dunes, and waterways. It tolerates salt spray, which indicates its potential to affect recreation in beachside and other coastal areas (Muyt, 2001; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001).

3. Injurious to people? The stems and tips of branches are equipped with sharp rigid spines 2-15 cm long, which are present all year. The fruit is believed to be toxic to humans. (Muyt, 2001; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001).

4. Damage to cultural sites? The root system comprises an extensive deep, branched taproot. However, there is no evidence to suggest the root system is vigorous enough to cause structural damage. With growth to 5 meters wide, the presence of the plant would seriously affect the aesthetic of an area. But more likely visual effect rather than structural - if boxthorn in middens - would have rabbits. (Muyt, 2001; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001).

ABIOTIC

5. Impact flow? Terrestrial species (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001).

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial species (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001).

7. Increase soil erosion? "An erect shrub to 5 m high and 3 m across. African boxthorn make an effective hedge plant, producing a dense thicket." Not likely to increase soil erosion. (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001).

8. Reduce biomass? African boxthorn grows to a great size when left unchecked. Originally planted as a hedging plant, the areas it invades suggest that plant's presence would increase biomass (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001).

9. Change fire regime? “African boxthorn make an effective hedge plant, producing a dense thicket." With the increase in biomass there is a likelihood of a moderate increase in the frequency and intensity of fire risk. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

COMMUNITY HABITAT

10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Grassy woodland (E:); CMA=Wimmera; Bioreg=Goldfields; VH CLIMATE potential "...shade and crowds out other vegetation preventing any regeneration occurring. It is an extremely tough species adapted to a wide range of conditions" Can grow to 5 m high. Major displacement of dominant species within different layers. (Muyt, 2001; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Grassy woodland (E); CMA=North Central; Bioreg=Gold fields; VH CLIMATE potential. Impact as in 10(a) above (Muyt, 2001; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Lowland forest (LC); CMA=Corangamite; Bioreg=Victorian Volcanic Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. Impact as in 10(a) above (Muyt, 2001; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

11. Impact on structure? “...shades and crowds out other vegetation preventing any regeneration occurring. Commonly a harbor for rabbits so there is little other vegetation."Major impact on the flora strata and minor effects on layers (Muyt, 2001).

12. Effect on threatened flora?

FAUNA

13. Effect on threatened fauna?

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? Dense thickets may deny animals access to watering points. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Blood, 2001).

15. Benefits fauna? African boxthorn commonly provides habitat and food for smaller native animals. (Muyt, 2001).

16. Injurious to fauna? The spines damage stock, therefore, potential to injure fauna species. Although spines - not much impact fauna can move through plant easily and use it for cover/harbor. Storm petrels get caught up on them Sth channel fort at some time of year. (Blood, 2001).

PEST ANIMAL

17. Food source to pests? Birds and foxes commonly eat seeds. Bird species not documented; assume equal potential for introduced and native species. Fruits heavily over autumn-winter, some ripe fruit may be present at other times of the year. The fruit is a breeding place for fruit fly, dried fruit beetles, tomato fly and the common housefly. (Muyt,2001; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

18. Provides harbor? "Thickets commonly harbor rabbits." Rabbits frequently burrow under clumps. (Muyt, 2001; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

AGRICULTURE

19. Impact yield? "Large clumps obviously eliminate considerable areas of pasture and can also impede stock movement." Animals seldom graze the plant because of the sharp spines. The reduction in available pasture would have major impact on yield. Not known as a problem in cropping situations (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

20. Impact quality? Not known to affect the quality of produce. (Blood, 2001).

21. Affect land values? Dense infestations minimise available pasture. Applying herbicides and excavating plants is the best method of control. Cost of control would affect land values in grazing areas. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

22. Change land use? Left unchecked African boxthorn can grow to a great size. Dense infestations minimise available pasture. Without implementing a management plan, the land would become useless for agricultural activity. Could not think of examples where boxthorn changed landuse - can be controlled after a long period of time (ie. thick dense thickets easily without bulldozer) (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

23. Increase harvest costs? Not known to affect cropping situation.

24. Disease host/vector? None evident.

Feedback

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Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of The Weed's Network.

Attachments:

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referenced by (2)

wra825: Common Name - B (via boxthorn)wra702: Common Name - A (via African Boxthorn)

Article: wra2370 (permalink)
Categories: :wra:l, :wra:inv1, :wra:invh, :wra:inv2, :wra:invml, :wra:inv3, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv4, :wra:invl, :wra:inv5, :wra:inv6, :wra:inv7, :wra:inv8, :wra:inv9, :wra:inv10, :wra:inv11, :wra:invm, :wra:inv12, :wra:inv13, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:imph, :wra:imp2, :wra:imp3, :wra:imp4, :wra:impml, :wra:imp5, :wra:impl, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp10a, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:impm, :wra:imp13, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 20 October 2009; 2:14:47 PM AEDT

Author Name: Niharika Anand
Author ID: anandn