• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2021

Invasive alien species management is pivotal for biodiversity conservation. Commelina caroliniana Walter, from the family Commelinaceae, is an alien plant native to the Himalayas and India, but it has been widely introduced around the world, including in the United States, Brazil, Philippines, and Japan. In Korea, the first population was found growing adjacent to agricultural land and farm roads on Jejudo Island, and field observations confirmed the presence of at least nine populations there. It is similar morphologically to C. diffusa Burm. f. but can be distinguished by involucral bracts that are ciliate at the base, hairs on the peduncle and obsolete upper cincinnus, brown spots on its 4-lobed antherode, and seed surfaces that are smooth to slightly alveolate. It was determined to have an invasiveness low score of 8 according to the Korean 'Invasive Alien Plant Risk Assessment', suggesting that it may spread to natural habitats. Although the current distribution of C. caroliniana is restricted to Jeju-si, it has spread dramatically in many other areas of the world. At present, it has had a limited impact on the local environment, but local and regulatory authorities should pay close attention to this plant and take measures to prevent its expansion in the future.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2005

Occurrence and distribution of crop diseases caused by invasive alien pathogens were surveyed in Korea from 2001 to 2003. Of 22 species of invasive alien pathogens surveyed, 18 species were found on their host plants but 4 species were not. Scientific names of the alien plant pathogens introduced into Korea in the past were reviewed. Revised scientific names of 10 species including anthracnose pathogens were amended in the list. Host ranges of invasive alien pathogens were investigated. Eight species of the invasive alien pathogens were found on new host plants as well as their host plants recorded in the past.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2023

Melilotus dentatus (Waldst. & Kit.) Desf. is an invasive plant native to Europe, Russia, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and China. It was introduced to North America to create grazing areas for livestock; its growth has since become uncontrollable. Melilotus dentatus is now found in Namyang-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea as an alien plant. This species is morphologically similar to Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb. and Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. M. dentatus differs from other species based on its oblong leaflets, distinct teeth, two ovules, surface of the legume that is minutely reticulate-nerved or smooth, and seeds that are dark green to greenish brown. Here, we have provided a detailed description and photographs of the alien species M. dentatus as well as an updated key to five Melilotus taxa studied, which will help prepare a continuous monitoring and management plan.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.209-214
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• 2019

Naturalization centers are hotspots where accidently introduced seeds first germinate and grow. Railways play important roles as corridors for movement, having positive effects on species dispersal and persistence, though they can also be invasion routes for undesirable plants. Geranium purpureum Vill., a new alien species in Korea, was found at the Bumil Railway Station, Busan, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Most native Geranium species in Korea belong to the subgenus Geranium and section Geranium, but G. purpureum belongs to the subgenus Robertium and section Ruberta, with the "carpel-projection" method of seed dispersal. In other countries, G. purpureum is often compared with G. robertianum L., which is an ornamental plant in Korea. We assume that G. purpureum is a casual alien plant and that it is not likely to spread to other provinces, as it scarcely survives when the mean temperature in January is below $4^{\circ}C$. Moreover, it has not been found further north than Busan. We provide a key of allied taxa, information about the habitat, a description of the morphological characters, illustrations, and photographs.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.616-632
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• 2021

We performed taxonomic reviews and habitat circumstances survey for 41 un-introduced environmentally harmful plants (as designated by the Ministry of Environment, Korea in 2016). And we investigated plant specimens from several herbaria and performed a field survey in the southeastern region of the United States. Based on the result, we presented the most comprehensive results of weed risk evaluation and taxonomic description up to now as well as classification keys for 11 species to apply the regulation management of putative invasive alien species - Senecio madagascariensis Poir., Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski, Ageratina riparia (Regel) R.M. King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae), Andropogon gayanus Kunth (Poaceae), Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. & A. Gray (Cucurbitaceae), Salvinia minima Baker (Salviniaceae), Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar. (Asclepiadaceae), Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce (Asparagaceae), Alternanthera pungens Kunth (Amaranthaceae), Salpichroa origanifolia (Lam.) Thell., and Lycium ferocissimum Miers (Solanaceae).

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.89-119
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• 2020

Species invasions have rapidly increased due to the substantial growth of global trade in the recent past. As the awareness of the negative effects on natural ecosystems derived from alien species has grown, many countries and lawmakers have enacted rules and policies on the conservation of indigenous plants. Unfortunately, in Korea, research on species invasion is seriously lacking despite the growing number of alien species. In the current study, we report alien plants that have intentionally and/or unintentionally been introduced in Korea and also presented a checklist of invasive plants found both in the literature and in field surveys. We reviewed all documented records of alien plants, i.e., scientific papers, illustrated books, and annual reports. We also categorized alien plants by origin, time of introduction, naturalization, and the rate of their spread. The results revealed that there are 619 alien plant taxa (96 families, 353 genera, 595 species, 6 subspecies, 11 varieties, 1 forma, and 6 hybrids) occurring in Korea. Among these, 30 taxa are archaeophytes (Arc.), 214 are potentially invasive plants (PIPs), and 375 are invasive alien plants (IAPs). In addition, IAP taxa consist of grades 5 (widespread, WS) to 1 (potential spread, PS) of alien plants according to the rate of spread in Korea. Our results suggested that the number of alien plants is likely to keep growing; thus, the distribution should be regularly monitored and the list of alien plants must be updated.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.75-84
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• 2023

Background: Knowledge of the spatial trends of plant invasions in different habitats is essential for a better understanding of the process of these invasions. We examined the variation in invasive alien plant species (IAS) richness and composition at two spatial scales defined by elevation and habitat types (roadside, forest, and cultivated lands) in the Makawanpur district of Nepal. Following an elevation gradient ranging from 500 to 2,400 m asl along a mountain road, plant species cover was recorded within sample plots of size 10 m × 5 m. Systematic random sampling was adopted in every 100 m elevation intervals on three habitat types. Results: Altogether 18 invasive alien plants belonging to eight families were recorded within 60 plots, of which 14 species (representing 80%) were from tropical North and South America. The most common plants by their frequency were Ageratina adenophora, Chromolaena odorata, Bidens pilosa, Lantana camara, and Parthenium hysterophorus. We found a significant relationship between species composition and elevation in the study area. Low-elevation regions had a higher number of alien species as compared to high-elevation regions within different habitat types. Conclusions: The species richness and density of IAS were higher in the road site followed by the cultivated land and forest sites. This pattern occurred throughout the elevation range and habitats. IAS were found mostly in the open land with high sunlight availability. Information from such scientific assessment of invasive alien plants will assist in developing appropriate management plans in the Makawanpur district.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.386-390
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• 2021

Petrorhagia nanteuilii (Burnat) P. W. Ball & Heywood (Caryophyllaceae), native to western Europe and western North Africa and an introduced or alien plant in South America, Australia, and Japan, was newly found in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Petrorhagia is clearly distinguished from other genera by a bract at the base of calyx, which differs from Gypsophila L., and commissures at the sepals, which is different from Dianthus L. Petrorhagia nanteuilii grows on slopes and roadsides, suggesting that it is likely to have been introduced through the installation of green sites and road construction. A precise description, illustration, photographs, and a key to related genera and species is provided.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.291-301
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate distribution on the alien plants in the Gyeong-in Ara Waterway. The alien plants were a total of 82 taxa: 17 families, 63 genera, 80 species, and 2 varieties. This number corresponds to 25.5% of alien plants identified in Korea. The proportion of alien plants in every year was increased from upstream to downstream. As the result of the analysis on vegetation stratification, bank of waterside was covered with artificial materials preventing existence of vegetation, and had step-type cross section. Floodplain was composed of waterfront area. An array of vegetation was not typical dispersion, and terrestrial and alien plants were dominated the Gyeong-in Ara Waterway. Evaluation of naturalness based on the vegetation stratification showed grade 3 or 4. In order to solve a problem, method and level of restoration should be decided based on the result of diagnostic assessment. Therefore, we need to restore the step-type cross section as pool type one. From waterside to bank in this waterway, we recommend to introduce natural plants by imitating reference species composition. Since, an invasion of alien plants is expected to be accelerated due to the continuous artificial disturbance, we recommend to quantitative investigation on the invasion of alien plants and monitoring on the change of distribution.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.196-200
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• 2022

Verbena bracteata Cav. ex Lag. & Rodr. (Verbenaceae), native to North America and an alien plant in China and Japan, was newly found in central and southern areas of Korea. This species can be distinguished from other Verbena taxa in Korea by having larger floral bracts and stems that are prostrate or procumbent to decumbent-ascending. Verbena bracteata grows in dry and sunny grasslands or along roadsides. A precise description, illustration, photographs, and a key to related taxa are provided.