Solanum rostratum Dunal

Title: Solanum rostratum Dunal

Scientific Name:

Solanum rostratum Dunal

Common Name: buffalo burr, prickly nightshade

Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: Semi-arid and subhumid warm-temperate regions on a wide range of soils including hard compacted clays and cultivated sandy sites (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992). It is generally a weed of the wheatbelt but occasionally occurs on floodplain country in the more arid areas (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

Distribution:

Original source via CABI

Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT

1. Germination requirements? Seeds germinate in autumn, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

2. Establishment requirements? Solanum rostratum usually establishes in mostly 'open' situations e.g pastures and feilds, (Muenscher, 1980).

3. How much disturbance is required? Establishes in vigorously growing crops, such as cotton and pastures, (Parsons and Cuthberton, 1992).

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE

4. Life form? An annual herb and other life forms which have not been identified as yet, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

5. Allelopathic properties? Minor allelopathic effects on itself and tomato plants have been shown, (Rice, 1984).

6. Tolerates herb pressure? The plants prickly nature deters grazing animals, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

7. Normal growth rate? “Is a strong competitor in cotton crops in parts of the united states", (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? Tolernace to water logging (occurs on shores), drought (occurs in arid areas), (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992; Hoffman & Stanley, 1978).

REPRODUCTION

9. Reproductive system? Reproduces by seed and has capacity for both self and cross pollination, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 ; Bowers, 1975).

10. Number of propagules produced? Established based on pictures and descriptions. Where 20 berries per plant x 85 seeds per berry = 1,700 seeds per plant, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 ; Bassett and Munro, 1986).

11. Propagule longevity? None Recorded

12. Reproductive period? Annually , (P & C, 1992)

13. Time to reproductive maturity? Annual < one year, (P & C, 1992).

DISPERSAL

14. Number of mechanisms? Containment of cereal grain: burr also sticks to wool and bags, and can float on water. Can also ebe blown about, ( P & C, 1992).

15. How far do they disperse? Above mechanism would transport burrs between at least 20-200 m or even > 200 m. burr also stated to float 'some' distance on water, (P & C, 1992).

Impact Assessment

RECREATION

1. Restrict human access? “An erect annual herb, commonly 20 to 30 cm high.” Information on population density not available, and it is not recorded as being aggressive or invasive in natural ecosystems. From images available, which demonstrate the plant’s growth habit, it would be a minor nuisance to humans. Its spiny nature would ensure walkers avoid contact with the plant", (P & C, 1992 ; Bassett & Munro, 1986).

2. Reduce tourism? The spiny stems and fruit of the plant would make its presence felt. Recreational uses may be affected because infested areas cannot be used.

3. Injurious to people? It grows through winter and survives well into summer before dying. Dead material continues to present a hazard because of spines. “Buffalo burr is poisonous and, overseas, there have been fatalities in children after eating the fruit.” (One source has described the plant thus: “Nasty, nasty, nasty. This plant is not one to be handled or even stepped on. The spines are very dense, stiff, and sharp. The plant is just brutal.”), (P & C, 2001).

4. Damage to cultural sites? Limited spread of plant. Likely to present a moderate negative visual effect. No effect on structure, (Oklahoma University).

ABIOTIC

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

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

7. Increase soil erosion? In the western United States it commonly occurs on disturbed sites and sandy soils. Its presence would not increase soil erosion. In Victoria, S. rostratum is more commonly a problem in the wheat-growing areas, (WSNWCB).

8. Reduce biomass? Its growth habit and common habitat (waste areas, overgrazed pastures and roadsides) suggest that biomass would not be greatly affected. Invader replaces biomass, (WSNWCB).

9. Change fire regime? The dead plant presents a small amount of dry matter, and “mature plants break off at ground level and are blown about as ‘tumble weeds’.” Not likely to change the fire regime, (P & C, 2001)

COMMUNITY HABITAT

10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Plains grassy woodland (E); CMA=Wimmera; Bioreg=Wimmera; Very high CLIMATE match. Mainly a weed of cropping. “…it is generally confined to the wheatbelt. It is somewhat weedy on neglected sites and pastures.” In natural ecosystem minor displace species within a strata, (P & C, 2001).

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Heathy Woodland (D); CMA=Corangamite; Bioreg=Central Victorian Uplands; High potential CLIMATE match only; little displacement of any indigenous species, (P & C, 2001).

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Heathy woodland (LC); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Glenelg Plain; Very high CLIMATE match. Mainly a weed of cropping. “…it is generally confined to the wheatbelt. It is somewhat weedy on neglected sites and pastures.” In natural ecosystem minor displace species within a strata, (P & C, 2001).

11. Impact on structure? Its effect on other species is not recorded. As a low growing annual it may not have a serious impact on structure. In its native region (midwest USA) it is regarded as highly aggressive and invasive, but beyond this range it seems less so. Possibly a minor effect on the floral strata, (WSNWCB).

12. Effect on threatened flora? Direct threat to native orchid Pterostylis truncata (brittle greenhood) in the You Yang ranges. Threatens ANZECC rated rare or threatened native plant species, (P & C, 2001 ; Groves et al., 2003).

FAUNA

13. Effect on threatened fauna? This species is not documented as posing an additional risk to threatened fauna.

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? Not known to invade natural ecosystems. However, its spiny nature and toxic fruit may have a minor impact on non-threatened fauna, (P & C, 2001).

15. Benefits fauna? No known benefits.

16. Injurious to fauna? “The plant causes physical injury to stock, particularly around the mouth and nose, and these areas become infected.” Potential to harm fauna, (P & C, 2001).

PEST ANIMAL

17. Food source to pests? None documented.

18. Provides harbor? A low growing annual. It would not provide harbor, (P & C, 2001).

AGRICULTURE

19. Impact yield? Where it occurs in pastures it may reduce available fodder as the plant’s prickly nature deters animals from grazing. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

20. Impact quality? S. rostratum became a problem in wheat growing areas in Victoria. Its seeds contaminate cereal crops. “Changed farming methods have reduced its significance… it is no longer considered an important weed.” The burrs stick to wool, and contribute to vegetable fault in a wool clip. . (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

21. Affect land values? Occurs in overgrazed pasture and cropping situations. Cultivation prior to flowering effectively controls the weed, and it is not known as an aggressive weed in Victoria. Likely to have little affect on land value, (P & C, 2001 ; WSNWCB).

22. Change land use? Occurs in overgrazed pasture and cropping situations. Cultivation prior to flowering effectively controls the weed, and it is not known as an aggressive weed in Victoria. Population density not known. Change in land use unlikely, (WSNWCB ; P & C, 2001 ; Bassett & Munro, 1986).

23. Increase harvest costs? No evidence

24. Disease host/vector? “The weed acts a host for nematodes which affect tomatoes and tobacco in North America.” Potential problem for Victorian agriculture, (P & C, 2001).

Feedback

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment? If so, we would value your contribution.

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:

buffalo via ala.JPG
distribution_map (49).png

referenced by (2)

wra1029: Common Name - P (via prickly nightshade)wra825: Common Name - B (via buffalo burr)

Article: wra1465 (permalink)
Categories: :wra:s, :wra:inv1, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv2, :wra:invml, :wra:inv3, :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:invh, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:impml, :wra:imp2, :wra:imp3, :wra:imph, :wra:imp4, :wra:imp5, :wra:impl, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:imp10a, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:imp13, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 5 October 2009; 10:44:02 AM AEDT

Author Name: Niharika Anand
Author ID: anandn