Invasive Alien Species in Belgium: Cyperus eragrostis

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Cyperus eragrostis - Tall flatsedge, Pale galingale

Synonym:	Cyperus vegetus
French name:	Souchet vigoureux
Dutch name:	Bleek cypergras
Family:	Cyperaceae

Group:	Vascular plants
Origin:	South America
Habitat:	terrestrial
Introduction:	agri- and horticulture

ISEIA Score : 10

Naturalization in Belgium

First observation in the wild:	1896
Invasion stage:	spread
Spatial distribution:	isolated

Invasiveness

Reproduction in the wild:	yes
Dispersion potential:	high
Natural habitats:	high

More on invasiveness: Cyperus eragrostis grows in muddy and disturbed sites that are underwater during the winter months (Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Bidentetea tripartitae); it is mostly found along rivers and ponds margins, in ditches, marshes and wet meadows. Waterfowl play an important role in plant dispersion in the wild. It is in strong expansion since the last decades in Southern and Western Europe.

Distribution in Belgium

Established populations Biogeographic areas where the species is known to be established in the wild

	absent from district
	isolated populations (1-5 localities per district)
	widespread (>5 localities per district)

Endangered areas Biogeographic areas including Natura 2000 habitats that are likely to be invaded by the species (occurence of dense populations)

Biogeographic areas including Natura 2000 habitats that are likely to be invaded by the species (occurence of dense populations)

	low risk
	medium risk
	high risk

Endangered Natura 2000 habitats (

freshwater habitats:

3270

Impacts on Species

Predation / Herbivory:	low
Competition:	likely
Disease transmission:	low
Genetic effects:	unknown

Impacts on Ecosystems

Nutrient cycling:	unknown
Physical alteration:	likely
Natural successions:	likely
Food web alteration:	low

More on impacts: This sedge is usually considered as a weed in its introduced range. Once established, it is likely to out-compete and displace native plant species. Species displacement is however not well documented in the scientific literature.

Data Source & References

Authors:	Baus Erika, Branquart Etienne, Vanderhoeven Sonia, Van Landuyt Wouter, Van Rossum Fabienne, Verloove Filip
Published on:	16 March 2009
Last update:	21 December 2010

References:

Chytry, M., Maskell, L.C., Pino, J., Pysek, P., Vilà, M., Font, X. & Smart, S.M. (2008)

Habitat invasions by alien plants: a quantitative comparison among Mediterranean, subcontinental and oceanic regions of Europe

Journal of Applied Ecology 45: 448–458.

Petrik, P. (2003)

Cyperus eragrostis – a new alien species for the Czech flora and the history of its invasion of Europe

Preslia, Praha, 75: 17–28.

Stevens, M. (2006)

Golden nutsedge, Cyperus eragrostis Lam.

In: USDA NRCS Plant Guide, National Plant Data Centre.

Verloove, F. (2006)

Cyperus eragrostis (Cyperaceae): historiek en huidige status in België.

Dumortiera 89: 7-11.

Verloove, F. (2010)

Cyperus eragrostis.

In: Manual of the Alien Plants of Belgium [available online], National Botanic Garden of Belgium.

Verloove, F. (2006)

Catalogue of the Neophytes in Belgium (1800-2005).

Scripta Botanica Belgica 39, 89 pp.

Weber, E. & Gut, D. (2004)

Assessing the risk of potentially invasive plant species in central Europe.

Journal for Nature Conservation12: 171-179.