Post on 20-May-2015
description
JAPANESE CHAFF FLOWER (ACHYRANTHES JAPONICA)
Chris Evans
River to River CWMA
www.rtrcwma.org
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
BACKGROUND Perennial Forb
Up to 5-6 feet in height Young plants single
stemmed, older plants have multiple stems
First located in 1981 in eastern KY and southwestern WV
Rapid spread throughout the Ohio River Valley and other regions
Form extensive infestations along riverine systems
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IDENTIFICATION
Leaves opposite, entire, smooth edged Smooth to lightly pubescent Petioles vary in length, sometimes very long,
sometime near sessile
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IDENTIFICATION
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IDENTIFICATION
Flowers occur in terminal spikes, diverge at right angles
Start very compact and elongate as the progress
Lack petals Brush like, dull green
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IDENTIFICATION
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IDENTIFICATION
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IDENTIFICATION
Terminal spike continues to elongate as flowers mature into fruits
Fruits deflex along the stem 2 stiff bracteoles on each fruit Remain on dead stalk throughout winter Easily attached to clothing, fur, etc.
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IDENTIFICATION
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IDENTIFICATION
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IDENTIFICATION
Dense stands Flower or fruit spikes very noticeable
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
TIMING
Initiates growing in late spring ‘Comes on’ in mid-late summer Flowering late summer Rapid seed set (late summer – early fall) Seed maturation – early fall Plant senescence – late fall
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
SPREAD
Water Animals Humans
Produces thousands of seeds per plant per year
Appear to be very viable based upon initial attempts to grow in greenhouse
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
CURRENT DISTRIBUTION
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
HABITAT
Does best in moist, rich soils in partial shade – full sun Sandy to loamy to silty soils
Does not tolerate annual flooding or long periods of inundation On big river systems, often found just above the
driftwood line Can grow in deep shade
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
HABITAT
Riparian areas Bottomland forests Roadsides Ditches Old fields Waste areas
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
IMPACTS
Forms very dense thickets Near monoculture Seems to exclude many other species
Even displacing stiltgrass Preferred forage for deer Lots of evidence for insect feeding
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
MANAGEMENT
Early Detection Rapid Response Monitoring and controlling this species in new
areas Spread prevention techniques and adoption
of BMPs in areas where this species is present
Further education about this species*Very few people currently know about
this plant or know to look for it*
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
MANAGEMENT
Spread prevention Clothing cleaning Equipment sanitation
Targeted surveys in and around hiking areas and campgrounds
High use areas
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
MANAGEMENT
Research on control efforts underway Foliar sprays before flowering(mid summer)
2% Glyphosate 2% Triclopyr
Large roots and brittle stems seem to limit hand pulling
2012 Invasive Species Workshop – St. Louis, MO
SUMMARY
This new species has rapidly spread throughout the Lower Ohio River Valley and into other portions of the SE and has recently been found in Missouri
It is spread by flood waters and by humans and animals
It can form dense stands that appear to potentially heavily impact riparian areas and bottomlands
Spread prevention and EDRR should be implemented
Control with foliar sprays of glyphosate or tricopyr seem to be effective
Much more research is being started on this plant