The impact of Solanum elaeagnifolium on the flower visitation and seed set of the native Glaucium flavum
Glaucium flavum (Papaveraceae) is a perennial herb that occurs along the Mediterranean shores and the coasts of Western Europe above sand dunes. The effect of the invasive alien plant Solanum elaeagnifolium (Solanaceae, EPPO A2 List) on flower visitation patterns and seed set of the co-flowering native G. flavum was examined. While observing flowering G. flavum plants in invaded and uninvaded sites, it appeared that G. flavum flowers in uninvaded sites received significantly more total visits.
In separate experiments it was shown that seed setting was not significantly affected by the presence of S. elaeagnifolium pollen.
Sources
Tscheulin T, Petanidou, Potts SG ; Settele J (2009) The impact of Solanum elaeagnifolium, an invasive plant in the Mediterranean, on the flower visitation and seed set of the native co-flowering species Glaucium flavum. Plant Ecology 205, 77-85.