First report of Heracleum mantegazzianum in Lithuania
Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae: EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants) is invasive in managed and unmanaged ecosystems, being a threat to biodiversity, eroding riverbanks, decreasing recreational resources, causing economic losses and posing a health risk to humans as the sap can cause skin blistering on contact. The species is widespread throughout the EPPO region. In 2020, H. mantegazzianum was observed in the natural environment in Lithuania. In this country, H. mantegazzianum was first identified in the Joniškis district, near Bertaučiai Village in abandoned mesic grassland. This population occupied approximately 720 m2 area. A second population (approximately 600 m2) was found on the opposite side of the road, at the edges of a small woodland and on slopes of the gravel road embankment. At approximately 0.5 km west of the first record, a third large population (approximately 2 200 m2) was found on the edge of a shrub habitat. H. mantegazzianum should be managed and eradicated in the areas where it occurs. Repeated management measures will be required to eradicate populations with all individuals treated. Repeated measures are also needed for several years to exhaust the seedbank. The EPPO National regulatory control system Standard PM 9/9(2) Heracleum mantegazzianum, H. sosnowskyi and H. persicum provides detailed guidance on procedures to monitor, contain and eradicate this Heracleum species.
Sources
Gudžinskas Z, Kazlauskas M (2022) The first record of Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier (Apiaceae) in Lithuania. BioInvasions Records 11 (in press)
EPPO (2020) PM 9/9(2) Heracleum mantegazzianum, H. sosnowskyi and H. persicum. EPPO Bulletin 50, 515-524.