First report of Acalypha australis in Albania
Acalypha australis (Euphorbiaceae) is native to Asia where it is recorded as a weed in gardens and road embankments and waste places. It can cause economic losses in a number of crops including cotton, maize, root and tuberous crops, and vegetables. It is established in Australia, and some countries in the EPPO region, including Armenia, Italy, Ukraine and Türkiye, where it has entered as a contaminant of seed. In Albania, in 2022, A. australis was found in Tirana with a small number of specimens found during a survey of the urban flora. In the following year, more extensive surveys were conducted and A. australis was found in ten additional areas of Tirana where large populations (up to 100 individuals) were recorded growing along pavements and embankments. There is the potential that A. australis will become invasive in Albania, and propagules from urban populations may spread into the natural environment and agricultural areas leading to environmental and economic impacts.
Sources
Saliaj O, Mesiti A, Mullaj A (2024) Acalypha australis (Euphorbiaceae), a new alien species in the urban areas of Tirana (Albania). Flora Mediterranea 34, 5-11.