Ambrosia trifida in Russia
Ambrosia trifida (Asteraceae – EPPO A2) is native to North America, where it is recorded as weedy in many States. It was introduced into the EPPO region at the end of the 19th century, and it has expanded its range since the mid-1900s. The current study set out to assess the current distribution of A. trifida in Russia and its spread in recent years. Initially, information on the distribution was obtained from iNaturalist, GBIF (2021) and the current literature. This information was combined with surveys which were conducted between 2017-2021 and included 15 administrative regions of European Russian. The surveys showed that A. trifida was almost absent from agricultural systems in Russia but there was some evidence that the species does occasionally enter field margins. If the species becomes more widely established, populations may threaten cultivated crops. A. trifida was mainly recorded growing along roadsides and on the embankments of transportation networks, and more rarely along railroads. Typical habitats are urban and semi-urban areas including neglected gardens, along fences, canals, shrubbery riverbanks as well as small streams and creeks. It is found in moist and fertile soils. In European Russia, A. trifida can be locally established though the species has not reached its climatic and ecological limits. Currently, established populations occur mostly between latitudes 50°N and 55°N but conditions may be suitable northwards as far as 60°N.
Sources
Afonin AN, Baranova OG, Senator SA, Fedorova YA, Abramova LM, Prokhorov VE, Bochko TF, Panasenko NN, Pikalova NA, Vladimirov DR, Grigorjevskaja AYa, Li YS (2022) Distribution and naturalization of Ambrosia trifida (Asteraceae) on the European Territory of Russia. БОТАНИЧЕСКИЙ ЖУРНАЛ 107, 350–359.