Alligator weed is a particularly hard weed to eradicate because it invades both land and water. This fastgrowing weed can grow both on land and in water, where it forms floating mats. Appearance alternanthera philoxeroides is an emergent or rooted floating plant that invades aquatic areas and adjoining uplands throughout the southern portions of the united states. D in the control of water hyacinth and alligator weed in the mississippi delta, with certain ecological implications willis a. Alligator weed can be cut or grazed, but it is difficult to control physically because it will propagate from stem fragments or the roots. Weed biology is related to the study of weeds in relation to their geographical distribution, habitat, growth, population dynamics and communities. Stems of alligator weed are hollow and may vein up to 4 feet in length.
If not controlled, the weed can completely cover the surface of water bodies and wetlands, affecting native flora and. Several herbicides that now provide better control include. Alligatorweed roots readily along waterways and then grows over the water surface as an anchored floating plant. Alligatorweed, like many other invasive aquatic plants, displaces native plants in ditches, along banks, and in shallow water holm. Its geographic range once used to cover only the parana river region of south america, but it has since expanded.
On the other hand, ecology is the interrelationship between organisms and their environment. Clint moore of the south carolina and georgia cooperative fish. Biological control of alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides mart. In contrast, it exhibited poor growth in upland fields and parks, where the terrestrial ecotype was dominated by 611 other alien plant species. Until recently, herbicides have had very limited short term and no long term effectiveness. Sometimes it forms sprawling mats over deep rivers, or along shorelines. In small infestations, manual removal of floating aquatic plants is. Alligator weed department of the environment and energy. Characterising alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides.
Mississippi state university, geosystems research institute box 9652, mississippi state, ms 397629652 ph. Invasion by alligator weed, alternanthera philoxeroides. We also examined the relationship between native vegetation and other exotic vegetation at the site. The evolutionary ecology of weeds and invasive plants. How alligator weed is effective for various diseases is listed in repertory format. Alligator weed can survive in tropical and subtropical regions. Another alligator weed agent bites the dust pdf file, 710. Bionomics of an alligatorweed flea beetle, agasicles sp. The evolutionary ecology of weeds and invasive plants 7 8. But now alligator weed is found in the same waters as alligators, and many other places as well. Argentina alone, hosts around 27 species that fall within the range of the genus alternanthera. Flowers are small and white, resembling a white clover.
Alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides is considered to be one of the. Alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides summary alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides is a perennial aquatic and semiaquatic plant native to tropical and subtropical south america. Alligator population ecology my dissertation research is examining population ecology of the american alligator alligator mississippiensis in south c arol ina under the advisement of dr. In some aquatic habitats, alligator weed infestations can be reduced with weed harvesters or by manual removal, but. Weed competition with crops is a part of weed ecology. Alligator weedan aquatic weed present in australian backyards. Eradication and suppression of alligator weed in australia, nsw dpi, orange. Pdf characterising alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides. American alligator alligator mississippiensis ecology in by. Alligator weed infesting river, excessive growth of a.
Alligator weed control manual nsw department of primary. Julien3 summary the ecoevolutionary mechanisms of biological invasions are still not thoroughly understood. Competition in ecology involves two or more organisms seeking for a particular factor, thing or. Its also a littleknown edible thought it is in the amaranth clan. Alligatorweed aquatic mississippi state university. Cen11 1 september, 2008 land and water australia, defeating the weed menace programme. Chrysomelidea, figure 1c is a strictly specialized leaf. Alternanthera philoxeroides alligator weed circabc. When left untreated, alligator weed can make access to the shoreline difficult.
It is also listed as an invasive species in australia, new zealand, china and thailand. Pdf invasive weeds have been shown to alter ecosystem processes such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. Decomposition dynamics of invasive alligator weed compared. Austin state university in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy stephen f.
Alligatorweed alternanthera philoxeroides, also spelled alligator weed, hails from south america but has been widely spread to the warmer regions of the united states. Impact assessment alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides in victoria nox back table feedback assessment of plant invasiveness is done by evaluating biological and ecological characteristics such as germination requirements, growth rate, competitive ability, reproduction methods and dispersal mechanisms. When growing in terrestrial conditions, this species can survive without any water for several months gunasekera and adair, 2000. These depressions provide an aquatic refuge for alligators and other aquatic organisms, nest sites for other reptiles, and colonization sites for plants in the everglades. Control and spread of alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides. Alligator weed eat the weeds and other things, too. Alligator weed is an herb that occurs throughout florida and flowers in the warm months.
Weed ecology is thus concerned with growth characteristics and adaptations. As a weed that can grow both on land and in water and can tolerate a range of control methods, alligator weed has serious impacts worldwide and in australia see nsw weedwise for information about alligator weed this control manual brings together information and advice. In aquatic situations alligator weed generally lacks a deep. Since 1996 he has been working on alligator weed and other aquatic weeds at the department of primary industries in victoria. It must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment. Differences in ecological and allelopathic traits among. Biological control and ecology of alligator weed shon schooler and mic julien project no. Beggs1 and quentin paynter2 1school of biological sciences, tamaki campus, university of auckland, private bag 92019, auckland 1142, new zealand 2landcare research, private bag 92170, auckland 1142, new. Despite these efforts, the insect is absent from many invasive. Alligatorweed is a federal noxious weed and a prohibited or noxious plant in arizona, california, florida, and south carolina usda, nrcs, 1999.
Alligator weed, alternanthera philoxeroides martius gisebach amaranthaceae, is a plant native to south. These floating islands also referred to as tussocks. It has been utilized as biological control agent in usa since 1964 and in china since 1986. Alligator weed performed well in wetland and riparian habitats, where it was so competitive that only one.
Alternanthera philoxeroides ufifas center for aquatic and. It has smooth stems that trail along the ground or out across. Alligator weed control manual department of primary. Getting rid of alligatorweed is the responsibility of any riparian or waterway manager. A native to south america, alligator weed is a very di. Introduced into the united states around 1894, it is an invasive weed in many states. Awrc0853 the information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions.
Pdf decomposition dynamics of invasive alligator weed compared. Alligator weed has been regarded by some as the worlds worst weed because of how easily the plant outcompetes native plant species. In the waikato region, alligator weed is found in the waikato river, on several farms, in market gardens and on urban. Amaranthaceae invasion at a northern new zealand lake imogen bassett1, quentin paynter2, robin hankin3 and jacqueline r. The alligator weed battle in victoria, proceedings of 12th australian weeds conference, hobart, australia, september 12 to 16, 1999.
Clint moore of the south carolina and georgia cooperative fish and wildlife research units, respectively. Lalith gunasekera started as a research scientist for alligator weed at the department of natural resources in queensland. Alternanthera philoxeroides erss us fish and wildlife service. Alligator weed can grow in a variety of habitats, although it is usually found in water. Alligator weed not a vegetable alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides is an aggressive noxious plant that invades australias waterways, wetlands and. Alligatorweed geosystems research institute mississippi state. Alligator weed is a category 3 restricted invasive plant under the biosecurity act 2014. Alligator weed weed biocontrol projects manaaki whenua. Beggs1 and quentin paynter2 1school of biological sciences, tamaki campus, university of auckland, private bag 92019, auckland 1142, new zealand 2landcare research, private bag 92170, auckland 1142, new zealand.
Beggs1 1school of biological sciences, university of auckland, private bag 92019, auckland 1142, new zealand 2landcare research, private bag 92170. Invasion by alligator weed, alternanthera philoxeroides, is. These physical approaches require the complete excavation of all above and below ground alligator weed to prevent regrowth sainty et al. This plant and the related entity italicized and indented above can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below. Alligator weed poses an extreme threat to waterways, wetlands and irrigated crop lands from cape york to queenslands southern border. Alternanthera philoxeroides ufifas center for aquatic. Alligator weed is one of the greatest threats to waterways, wetlands, floodplains and irrigation systems in australia. In the present study, we report the effects of beetle herbivory and nematode infection on alligator weed, alternanthera philoxeroides, an invasive plant in china. Alligator weed an aquatic weed present in australian backyards. Biological control and ecology of cabomba and alligator weed. At this time there is no available biological control for alligator weed.
Alligator holes are excavated from the muck and peat that make up the everglades soil, often down to the limestone bed. Alternanthera philoxeroides, commonly referred to as alligator weed, is a native species to the temperate regions of south america, which includes argentina, brazil, paraguay and uruguay. Effects of agasicles hygrophila on alligator weed growth. Awareness because the victorian community had little awareness of alligator weed, a public awareness program was important part of the project. In waterways, it can grow from plant fragments dispersed from a parent infestation and produce new infestations downstream. Native to south america, alligator weed, alternanthera philoxeroides, is a worldwide invasive weed whose distribution spans tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions across a wide latitudinal gradient, approximately from 42s to 37n including american, australia, new zealand, southeast asian, india and china julien et al. Alligator weed is also managed by either manual or mechanical removal methods. Alligator weed is an invasive aquatic weed that originated from south america and is known for forming dense mats on water surfaces that hinder recreational water activities. Alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides is an argentinean plant that was first reported in australia in the 1940s and has since spread along the east coast. Plants profile for alternanthera philoxeroides alligatorweed. Alligator weed, alternanthera phyloxoides, is an exotic plant from south america that is classified as an invasive weed in the united states. The alligatorweed flea beetle louisiana state university. Control and spread of alligator weed alternanthera. As a weed that can grow both on land and in water and can tolerate a range of control methods, alligator weed has serious impacts worldwide and in australia see nsw weedwise for information about alligator weed.
Alligator weed was new story for victorians, because they havent seen this before. Physical removal of alligator weed is possible, but not usually 100% successful in eradicating the weed because the plant is able to regrow and propagate from stem fragments alone. Like dense, floating mats of eichhornia crassipes, a. Management of aquatic alligator weed alternanthera. Foliage opposite, elliptical leaves are thick but nonsucculent and are up to 4 in. It can also tolerate certain amounts of sea water when growing in flowing water.
Names of alligator weed in various languages of the world are also given. Alligator weed can be mistaken for other species, such as lesser joy weed alternanthera denticulata, an australian native. Distribution of alligator weed and its biological control by agasicles hygrophila. Originally introduced into australia in the 1940s, it has spread over more than 4000 ha. Uses, benefits, cures, side effects, nutrients in alligator weed. The word competition comes from the latin word competere, which means to ask or sue for the same things another does.
Alligator weed is a restricted invasive plant under the biosecurity act 2014. Alligator weed litter decomposed significantly faster than either of two native. The adults and larvae reduce the growth of alligator weed by. The aquatic alligator weed flea beetle agasicles hygrophila, has been quite successful in controlling alligator weed growing in the water. There are currently no biological control methods of eradication rather than goats which can keep the plant under control by feeding on the weed.
Plant community composition of plots without alligator weed differed significantly from invaded. The plant tends to grow in or near water but can also grow on dry land. Description alligator weed is a creeping, perennial weed that forms in dense mats or long strands along the waters shoreline. Effects of agasicles hygrophila on alligator weed growth week 1 1 teacher lead discussion on biocontrol 2 pair students into teams of 2. Control and spread of alligator weed alternanthera philoxeroides mart. Alligator weed herb uses, benefits, cures, side effects. Control and spread of alligator weed, alternanthera philoxeroides, in australia. Biological control and ecology of cabomba and alligator weed publication no. American alligator alligator mississippiensis ecology in inland wetlands of east texas by david thomas saalfeld, master of science presented to the faculty of the graduate school of stephen f.
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