• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.277-290
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• 2008

In the past two decades Mikania micrantha Kunth, a climbing plant species originating from tropical America, has spread across Taiwan. It can now be found frequently in the lowlands and lower mountain areas up to 1,000 m a.s.l. in the centre and south of the island. Mikania micrantha is considered a problematic invasive alien plant species which is said to cause economical as well as environmental damage. This study investigated the ecological site characteristics of M. micrantha in Taiwan. 112 vegetation surveys were carried out in habitats where the alien plant was present. A comparison between sites with a high and a low abundance was carried out in order to assess which factors especially influence the extensive spread of the plant. Furthermore, the influence of disturbances was examined. Results showed that Mikania micrantha grows very dense in habitats which are characterized by good light conditions combined with vertical structures, such as trees. Results revealed that this invader occurs most frequently in agricultural fallows and wastelands, but it could hardly be found in the intensively managed plantations in the investigation area. Results provide great evidence that the plant is strongly influenced by disturbances, but only if impacts occur rarely.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.200-219
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• 2020

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). For this purpose, we investigated plant specimens from several herbaria and performed a field survey in the southeastern region of the United States. Base 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 - Centaurea maculosa Lam., Centaurea diffusa Lam., Mikania micrantha Kunth. (Asteraceae), Cenchrus echinatus L., Neyraudia reynaudiana (Kunth) Keng ex Hitchcock, Brachiaria mutica (Forsskål) Stapf, Vulpia bromoides (L.) Gray, Lolium persicum Boissier & Hohennacker, Setaria palmifolia (J. Konig) Stapf (Poaceae), Prosopis glandulosa Torr. (Fabaceae), Fallopia baldschuanica (Regel) Hobub. (Polygonaceae).

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.752-757
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• 2019

The establishment of invasive alien species management is widely recognized as a pivotal issue in the preservation of biodiversity. Ranunculus sardous Crantz, a species native to Europe, has been widely introduced in many other areas of the world, including the coasts of the United States, Australia, China, India, and Japan. In Korea, the first population of this plant was found growing adjacent to a wetland in Hanon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Province, on 22 May 2018. Field observations confirmed the presences of at least two populations of this species in Jeju Province, Korea. This species is similar to Ranunculus sceleratus L., but can be readily distinguished by its presence of the trichomes in the whole plant, longer petioles of radical leaves, ovate-shaped leaf segments, globose to subglobose-shaped fruits and flat achenes with narrowly winged and papillae. The Invasive Alien Plant Risk Assessment (IAPRA), a system for recognizing and categorizing alien plants in Korea forests, was used to assess the invasiveness status of the species. Based on this system, R. sardous received a low score of 6, suggesting its potential invasion to natural forests. Although the current distribution of R. sardous is restricted to Jeju Province and thus far has had limited impact on local environments, local and regulatory authorities should pay close attention to this plant and take measures to prevent its further expansion.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2021

We found Rosa laevigata Michx., a newly alien plant in Songjinpo-ri, Jangmok-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsang nam-do. Rosa laevigata is native to China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It is reported as a naturalized species in Japan, South Africa, United States, and the Pacific Islands. Rosa laevigata is distinguished from R. multiflora by the large size of its flower. Its Korean name is 'Wang-jjil-re-na-mu' based on the large flower. Here, we provide precise description, taxonomic key to Korean Rosa species, illustrations and photographs of its habit.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2023

Naturalized populations of two alien plants were newly found, and we describe their morphological characteristics and habitats with photographs. One is a member of Juncaceae, Juncus torreyi Coville, and was newly found at a pool of a beach in Gangwon-do. This rush is native to North America and belongs to the sect. Ozophyllum (subgen. Juncus) according to certain morphological characteristics, such as its racemose inflorescence, the absence of floral bracteole, and unitubular leaves with perfect septa. J. torreyi is easily distinguishable from Korean rushes by its long rhizomes with swollen nodes and globular head with 25-100 flowers. Its introduction into Japan and Europe was reported, but the ecological risk associated with its over-dispersal is not known. The other alien plant is a submerged plant, Egeria densa Planch. (Hydrocharitaceae), which was found in streams in Gyeongsangbuk-do and ditches in the Busan-si area, both of which being in the watershed of the Nakdong River. Egeria densa is similar to Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, which is native to Korea. However, it is distinguished from H. verticillata by its larger flowers and lack of overwintering organs. This alien plant is native to South America and was introduced for aquarium gardening and naturalized around the world. Egeria densa is treated as a malignant weed due to its asexual reproduction and rapid growth. Size changes and the number of populations of E. densa must be investigated.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.223-248
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• 2021

We conducted a taxonomic study and agricultural environmental risk assessments of 41 putative invasive alien plants designated by the Ministry of Environment in 2016. In order to achieve the goal, we carried out the field survey four times including the United States, Australia, and Mexico, and investigated specimens, literature, and other information including seed morphology, classification key, and habitat conditions. In this study, we reported the taxonomic characters, ecological risk, and weed risk assessment of 41 putative invasive alien plants, and suggested significant information about 11 species to contribute to establish solutions of regulation management for putative invasive alien plants - Spirodela punctata (G.Mey.) C.H.Thomps. (Araceae), Sagittaria graminea Michx. (Alismataceae), Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H.St. John, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L., Stratiotes aloides L. (Hydrocharitaceae), Eichhornia azurea (Swartz) Kunth, Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms (Pontederiaceae), Aegilops tauschii Coss. (Poaceae), Myriophyllum heterophyllum Michx. (Haloragaceae), Bunias orientalis L. (Brassicaceae), and Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. (Apiaceae).

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.405-410
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• 2022

We have discovered Vicia grandiflora Scop., a newly invasive alien species in Baekun-ri, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. This species is native to regions from Central and Southeast Europe to Central Asia and Iran and is reported as an invasive species in North America and Japan. This species is similar to the Vicia sativa complex (V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. sativa subsp. nigra) but can be readily distinguished by the undivided ovate to semi-hastate stipules of the upper leaves, yellowish petals, large size of its flower, and elongated hilum. In the field, V. grandiflora grows in disturbed sites near cultivated land, suggesting that their seeds are typically transported by vehicles along with fertilizer or livestock feed. Here, we present the morphological description, photographs, and sites of V. grandiflora growth, which will be useful in guiding the management of this invasive alien plant.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.607-613
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• 2022

Vulpia octoflora (Walter) Rydb., a newly identified invasive alien species, was found in Gangcheon-ri, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It is native to North America and has been reported to be an invasive alien plant in Japan, Australia, and Ukraine. Vulpia octoflora is a weed that grows mainly in dry sandy or rocky soil and is frequently found along the roadside in open areas or in artificially disturbed sites. This species is similar to the recently confirmed alert alien species, V. bromoides (L.) Gray, but is readily distinguishable due to more florets per spikelet and a short awn of the lemma. A detailed species description, the geographical distribution, illustrations, photographs, and an identification key for all species of Vulpia that occur in Korea are provided.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.98-102
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• 2021

An alien plant of unrecoreded Kickxia (Plantaginaceae) was found in Korea. K. eltine (L.) Dumort. was distirbuted in Yangju-si, Gyoenggi-do and Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. This species can be distinguished from the other related genera by having stems that trail along the groud without putting down roots, and the leaves are sagittate, or shaped like arrowheads with longer, narrower, pointed lobes opposite the shorter tip. The new Korean names is given, as 'Hae-ran-cho-a-jae-bi' to Kickxia elatine (L.) Dumort. Here, we provide precise description, illustrations, photographs and taxonomic key to related genera and species.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.112-112
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• 2022

This study aims to confirm the possibility of using the invasive alien plants in Jeju as a functional biomaterial. To achieve this purpose, 70% ethanol extract and solvent fractions were prepared for five invasive alien plants (Hypochaeris radicata, Rumex acetosella, Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc., Solanum viarum, Lactuca scariolar) and their antioxidant, antibacterial anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects were investigated. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of ethanol extract from invasive alien plants was shown in the order of Rumex acetosella > Hypochaeris radicata > Humulus japonicus. Antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract against food poisoning bacteria (4 species) and oral cavity-induced microorganisms (6 species) was measured. As a result, the extract of Humulus japonicus showed high antibacterial effects against food poisoning bacteria (E. coli, V. parahaemolyticus) and oral microbes (L. casei, S. epidermidis, E. faecalis). In LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extract from invasive alien plants was investigated. As a result, the NO production inhibition activity was highest in the Rumex acetosella and the Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. ethanol extract, and the NO production inhibition activity was concentration-dependent. In addition, the Rumex acetosella and the Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. ethanol extract showed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on cytokine (IL-6) production. These extracts also showed inhibitory activity of COX-2, an inflammatory protein. This suggests that NO production inhibition activity by the extract of invasive alien plants is the result of inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression. Currently, organic solvent fractions of crude extract are manufactured and the investigation of active ingredients is continuing along with evaluation of biological activity such as anti-inflammatory. These results are expected to be a major data for the study on the separation and utilization of active ingredients with antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects using foreign plant crude extract and solvent fractions, and are highly likely to be applied to the development of functional food and cosmetics materials.