In early spring 2020 the Department for the Environment of the Luxembourg Ministry for environment, climate and sustainable development edited leaflets in German and French about Fallopia japonica and Impatiens glandulifera, in co-operation with the National Museum of Natural History and efor-ersa ingénieurs-conseils. They can be downloaded here in PDF format (~ 4 MB each).
More information on → Japanese knotweed and → Himalayan balsam in Luxembourg.
Page content last updated on 2020-04-06.
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Crimson fountaingrass | Status LU: introduced. 1st record: LU 2019, ITW n/a. |
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Afrikanescht Lanterbotzergras | Status Eur.: established. 1st record: unkn. IAS of EU concern (2017). |
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n/a | RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: n/a |
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Afrikanisches Lampenputzergras | Wikipedia:  | Wikispecies:  | CABI |
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n/a | Back to the list of neophytes |
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Pennisetum setaceum on Kahoolawe Island (Hawai)
Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov., commonly known as crimson fountaingrass, is a C4 perennial bunch grass that is native to open, scrubby habitats in East Africa, tropical Africa, the Middle East and SW Asia. It has been introduced to many parts of the world as an ornamental plant, and has become an invasive species in some of them. It is drought-tolerant, grows fast, reaches 3 feet in height, and has many purple, plumose flower spikes. Fountaingrass has been introduced to the Canary Islands, Sicily, Sardinia, southern Spain, Australia, South Africa, Hawaii, the Western United States, California, southern Florida and New Caledonia. It thrives in warmer, drier areas and threatens many native species, with which it competes very effectively as an invasive species. It also tends to increase the risk of intense wildfires, to which it is well adapted, thus posing a further threat to certain native species (Wikipedia contributors 2019).
In 2017, Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2017) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent its unintentional introduction or spread.
Records of Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-04-20.
C1 (3+2+2+1). First assessed 2021-02-16 by C. Ries & Y. Krippel.
Not assesed yet.
Page content last updated on 2022-04-28. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2020-03-05.
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Common milkweed | Status LU: uncertain. 1st record: LU & ITW <1836. |
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Gewéinlech Seideplanz | Status Eur.: established. 1st record: unkn. IAS of EU concern (2017). |
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Asclépiade commune | RA: ISEIA: B0, Alert List. Harmonia+: 0,19 |
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Gewöhnliche Seidenpflanze | Wikipedia:  | Wikispecies: | CABI |
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Gewoon zijdeplant | Back to the list of neophytes |
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Asclepias syriaca on ballast near Karnabrunn, district Korneuburg, Lower Austria. Photo: Stefan.lefnaer, 30 June 2012. commons.wikimedia.org
In 2014, Switzerland added Asclepias syriaca L. to its List of Invasive Alien Plants (EPPO 2019, Anonymous 2014).
In 2017, Asclepias syriaca L. was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2017) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.
Asclepias syriaca L. was first mentioned for Luxembourg by Tinant (1836: 134): “This plant, native to Syria and cultivated in our gardens, is found wild on the rocks around Bellevue [Ed.: Petrusse valley in Luxembourg City], where it is quite common […]. It also grows in the park of Clervaux.”1 Klein (1897: 54-55) mentions the Common milkweed to be grown as an ornamental plant.
Lambinon & Verloove (2012: 534) mention this melliferous species as very rare in the territory of the flora; recently in expansion in Belgium.
The databases contain no observations of Asclepias syriaca L. for Luxembourg (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020).
B0 (3+2+2+2) = Alert List. First assessed 22 November 2019 by Christian Ries.
InvasionImpactRiskPage content last updated on 2021-07-14. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.
The Luxembourg Nature and Forestry Administration has published a guide on the identification and management of invasive alien plant species on construction sites. The 88-page guide is written in French and can be useful to other concerned parties such as biological stations, municipalities and other state administrations that are active in other activities such as nature sites, the development and maintenance of green spaces and along roads.
The guide can be ordered or downloaded from the following web page: https://environnement.public.lu/fr/publications/conserv_nature/plantes_exotiques_envahissantes.html
Citation: Pfeiffenschneider M. et al., 2019. Guide d’identification et de gestion d’espèces de plantes exotiques envahissantes sur les chantiers. 88 pp. Administration de la nature et des forêts (éd.).
Page content last updated on 2019-11-11. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-11.
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American skunk-cabbage, swamp lantern | Status LU: casual. 1st record: 2022 |
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Amerikanesch Heckepëppchen | Status Eur.: established. 1st record: UK 1901.1 IAS of EU concern (2016). |
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Lysichiton américain | RA: ISEIA: B1, Watch List. Harmonia+: 0,14 |
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Amerikanischer Stinktierkohl | Wikipedia: | Wikispecies: | CABI |
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Moeraslantaarn | Back to the list of neophytes |
Contents
Lysichiton americanus Hultén & H. St. John grows in the transition zone of terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic habitats like swamps, fens, wet meadows, marshy and alluvial woodlands, along streams, riverbanks, lakesides and ponds. It has no specific site condition requirements except the presence of saturated organic soils. It is often found in protected semi-natural habitats. Lysichiton reproduces almost exclusively by seeds, which may be dispersed downstream along waterways. However, spread by natural means is not frequent and rather limited. L. americanus has become established locally in swamp forests and associated wetlands in the EPPO region (resulting most of the time from plantation in the site). After some years, its huge leaves build a dense layer excluding light from native species which are usually not adapted to extreme darkness. It can displace and cause local extinction of rare species of mosses and vascular plants (Carex echinata, Viola palustris, and orchids). (Branquart et al. 2010).
In 2016, Lysichiton americanus Hultén & H. St. John was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2016) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.
Records of somethingelse in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-04-20.
Lysichiton americanus Hultén & H. St. John was first documented by Christiane Wolff via iNaturalist on 2022-05-31 and was confirmed by Maximilien Oly on 2022-06-02 in the Mamer valley close to Kopstal. Three individuals have been differenciated next to a tributary of the Mamer. The small population was eradicated by the local forestry service. The origin of the population has not been identified.
L. americanus in the Mamer valley on 2022-06-02 – plant in the background (EFOR-ERSA, M. Oly)
L. americanus next to a tributary of the Mamer (EFOR-ERSA, M. Oly)
B1 (2+3+3+2) = Watch List. First assessed 2019-01-24 by Manou Pfeiffenschneider and Christian Ries.
InvasionImpactRiskPage content last updated on 2023-08-17. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-19.
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Creeping water primrose | Status LU: absent. 1st record: n/a. |
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Krauchend Waasserprimmel | Status Eur.: established. 1st record: FR 1830s. 1 IAS of EU concern (2016). |
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Jussie rampante | RA: ISEIA: A0, Alert List. Harmonia+: 0,44 |
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Kriechendes Heusenkraut | Wikipedia: | Wikispecies: | CABI |
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Kleine waterteunisbloem | Back to the list of neophytes |
Contents
Ludwigia peploides (Kunth.) P.H. Raven is an amphibious plant living in ponds, lakes, ditches, channels and slow-running rivers as well as in humid meadows. It shows a high tolerance to different water levels. Its growth is favoured by water eutrophication but the plant is able to develop in oligotrophic environments. Both clonal and sexual reproductions contribute to plant spread across watersheds. Water primroses are highly detrimental to the environment in western Europe. They quickly develop and make very thick monospecific floating carpets at the surface of water bodies. They alter the physico-chemical quality of water (reduction of light and dissolved oxygen) and possess an allelopathic activity that influences the water quality throughout the year and reduces the germination and survival rates of other plant species. They outcompete most native water plants and create an anoxic environment detrimental to many plant and animal species. In addition, they modify water flow and cause wetland drying (Branquart et al. 2013).
In 2016, Ludwigia peploides (Kunth.) P.H. Raven was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2016) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.
Ludwigia peploides (Kunth.) P.H. Raven has not yet been observed in Luxembourg (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).
A0 (3+3+2+3) = Alert List. First assessed 24 January 2019 by Manou Pfeiffenschneider and Christian Ries.
InvasionImpactRiskPage content last updated on 2021-03-04. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-19.
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Water primrose | Status LU: absent. 1st record: n/a. |
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Groussbléieg Waasserprimmel | Status Eur.: established. 1st record: FR 1830s.1 IAS of EU concern (2016). |
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Jussie à grandes fleurs, Grande J. | RA: ISEIA: A0, Alert List. Harmonia+: 0,28 |
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Großblütiges Heusenkraut | Wikipedia: | Wikispecies: | CABI |
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Waterteunisbloem | Back to the list of neophytes |
Contents
Ludwigia grandiflora (Michx.) Greuter & Burdet is an amphibious species living in ponds, lakes, ditches, channels and slow-running rivers as well as in humid meadows. It shows a high tolerance to different water levels. Its growth is favoured by water eutrophication but the plant is able to develop in oligotrophic environments. Invasive spread across watersheds is almost exclusively clonal and brought about by the dispersal of vegetative propagules by waterflow. Water primroses are highly detrimental to the environment in western Europe. They quickly develop and make very thick monospecific floating carpets at the surface of water bodies. They alter the physico-chemical quality of water (reduction of light and dissolved oxygen) and possess an allelopathic activity that influences the water quality throughout the year and reduces the germination and survival rates of other plant species. They outcompete most native water plants and create an anoxic environment detrimental to many plant and animal species. In addition, they modify water flow and cause wetland drying (Branquart et al. 2013).
In 2016, Ludwigia grandiflora (Michx.) Greuter & Burdet was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2016) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.
Ludwigia grandiflora (Michx.) Greuter & Burdet has not yet been observed in Luxembourg (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).
A0 (3+3+2+3) = Alert List. First assessed 24 January 2019 by Manou Pfeiffenschneider and Christian Ries.
InvasionImpactRiskPage content last updated on 2021-03-04. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-19.
Field of Amaranthus cruentus between Ell and Lannen, 20th September 2017. Photo by Claire Wolff, SICONA.
Amaranthus cruentus L. was first observed in the wild1 in Luxembourg, on 28th August 2018, on the border of maize fields and a pasture between Ell and Lannen in the Canton of Redange (Midwestern area of Luxembourg).
An on-site inspection on 29th August 2018 revealed that the population extends over 300m at the edge of the fields and at the roadside between the coordinates LUREF 56775 E | 93241 N and 56758 E | 93542 N. Several specimens were deposited in the herbarium of the National Museum of Natural History.
This population is probably a consequence of the cultivation of this species on an adjacent field in 2017, as the photo on the right illustrates.
Photos by Christian Ries, MNHNL, 29th August 2018.
Page content last updated on 2019-11-11. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-11.
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Five-leaved Virginia creeper | Status LU: established. 1st record: LU <1872, ITW 1958. |
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Fënnefbliedereg Wëll Rief | Status Eur.: established. 1st record: FR 1629.1 |
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Vigne-vierge à cinq folioles | RA: ISEIA: B1, Watch List. Harmonia+: 0,34. |
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Selbstkletternde Jungfernrebe | Wikipedia: | Wikispecies: | CABI |
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Vijfbladige wingerd | Back to the list of neophytes |
Contents
Originally observed in man-made habitats, these popular garden plants can be found increasingly in natural habitats like coastal dunes, riparian habitats and wood margins (Parthenocissus inserta) or rock outcrops (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). They usually thrive on nutrient-rich soils. Seeds are dispersed over long distances by birds. With its dense growth, the plant may cover, out-compete and kill native vegetation (Branquart et al. 2011).
The data situation is poor, which makes it difficult to assess the distribution of Parthenocissus species.
Parthenocissus inserta (A. Kerner) Fritsch has long been confused with Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. originating from North America. However, the latter is distinguished by its more branched twists (5-8 twists per twist, compared to gen. 3-5 in P. inserta), with branches provided at their end with a differentiated adhesive disc (simply swollen at their end in P. inserta) and by its leaflets with more obtuse and generally less deep teeth. A hybrid between the two species is also reported. It remains to be seen whether P. quinquefolia and the above-mentioned hybrid have been found in a subspontaneous state in the wild (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 457).
The identification characteristics given here often cannot be checked on the collected herbarium material because certain organs are missing.
These characteristics are also questioned by various authors: “Traditionally the two species have been separated on the basis of the branching of their tendrils and the formation of adhesive pads where the tendrils make contact with a solid surface. However, there has been some suggestion that this is not a reliable characteristic and that both species will form adhesive pads, just to varying degrees” (David 2010).
During the research of first records for Parthenocissus spp., we were not able to assess available documents and specimens, due to diverging morphological descriptions in floras and missing organs on specimens, which led us to assess on the genus level only (Ries & Krippel 2021).
We conclude that the genus should be revised in Luxembourg: samples and herbarium specimens should be collected from all known occurrences, in the wild as well as cultivated, and the tendrils should be documented as well with photos, as they are difficult to sample without partial destruction. Together with the old herbarium specimens, they should all be subjected to genetic analysis in order to provide clarity.
Records of Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-04-20.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. was first mentioned by Fischer (1872: 22) under its synonym Ampelopsis quinquefolia L. as cultivated ornamental to cover walls. We thus consider the 1st record of the species to be anterior to 1872 (Ries & Krippel 2021).
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. was first documented by Léopold Reichling (1921-2009) on 1958-06-01 at the Stromberg peak in the municipality of Schengen (MNHNL 2000-).
Currently, 12 records of the five-leaved Virginia creeper are accessible through the MNHNL-mdata portal (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).
The species, which is frequently planted for wall greening, apparently only very rarely goes wild, which was already observed by Rosbach (1880) in the 19th century (Hand et al. 2016: 599).
The five-leaved Virginia creeper escaped from Camping du moulin in Bivels into the neighbouring ruderal and alluvial vegetation along the barrage lake of the river Our. The plants overgrow the vegetation on the ground and the shrub layer, and climb to the top of ash and alder trees. Photos: C. Ries, 29 April 2020.
B1 (3+3+2+2), Watch List, reassessed on 10 July 2018 by C. Ries and M. Pfeiffenschneider. Originally assessed together with Parthenocissus inserta as Parthenocissus spp. C1 (1+1+1+1) (Ries et al. 2013: 18).
InvasionImpactRiskPage content last updated on 2021-09-16.
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False Virginia creeper | Status LU: established. 1st record: LU 1883, ITW <1957. |
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Gewéinlech Wëll Rief | Status Eur.: established. 1st record: UK 1824.1 |
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Vigne vierge commune | RA: ISEIA: B1, Watch List. Harmonia+: 0,34. |
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Gewöhnliche Jungfernrebe | Wikipedia: | Wikispecies: |
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Valse wingerd | Back to the list of neophytes |
Contents
Originally observed in man-made habitats, these popular garden plants can be found increasingly in natural habitats like coastal dunes, riparian habitats and wood margins (Parthenocissus inserta) or rock outcrops (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). They usually thrive on nutrient-rich soils. Seeds are dispersed over long distances by birds. With its dense growth, the plant may cover, out-compete and kill native vegetation (Branquart et al. 2011).
The data situation is poor, which makes it difficult to assess the distribution of Parthenocissus species.
Parthenocissus inserta (A. Kerner) Fritsch has long been confused with Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. originating from North America. However, the latter is distinguished by its more branched twists (5-8 twists per twist, compared to gen. 3-5 in P. inserta), with branches provided at their end with a differentiated adhesive disc (simply swollen at their end in P. inserta) and by its leaflets with more obtuse and generally less deep teeth. A hybrid between the two species is also reported. It remains to be seen whether P. quinquefolia and the above-mentioned hybrid have been found in a subspontaneous state in the wild (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 457).
The identification characteristics given here often cannot be checked on the collected herbarium material because certain organs are missing.
These characteristics are also questioned by various authors: “Traditionally the two species have been separated on the basis of the branching of their tendrils and the formation of adhesive pads where the tendrils make contact with a solid surface. However, there has been some suggestion that this is not a reliable characteristic and that both species will form adhesive pads, just to varying degrees” (David 2010).
During the research of first records for Parthenocissus spp., we were not able to assess available documents and specimens, due to diverging morphological descriptions in floras and missing organs on specimens, which led us to assess on the genus level only (Ries & Krippel 2021).
We conclude that the genus should be revised in Luxembourg: samples and herbarium specimens should be collected from all known occurrences, in the wild as well as cultivated, and the tendrils should be documented as well with photos, as they are difficult to sample without partial destruction. Together with the old herbarium specimens, they should all be subjected to genetic analysis in order to provide clarity.
Records of Parthenocissus inserta (A. Kerner) Fritsch in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-04-20.
The oldest herbarium specimen at the MNHNL was collected in July 1883 by Edmond Joseph Klein (1866-1942) from a cultivated false Virginia creeper in Wiltz (Specimen № 16636, MNHNL 2000-). The next scientific record that we know of was made under its synonym Parthenocissus vitacea Hitchc. by Jean-Jacques Kariger in 1957 on the Wurthsberg in the Clausen district of Luxembourg City (Kariger 1959: 74; MNHNL 2000-).
Currently, 4 records of the false Virginia creeper are accessible through the MNHNL-mdata portal (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).
This south and western North American species is melliferous and cultivated to cover walls or facades. Quite frequently subspontaneous or naturalised locally: old walls, hedges, ruderalized forest edges, wastelands, stream banks, slag heaps, railway ballast (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 457).
B1 (3+3+2+2), reassessed on 10 July 2018 by C. Ries and M. Pfeiffenschneider. Originally assessed together with Parthenocissus quinquefolia as Parthenocissus spp. C1 (1+1+1+1) (Ries et al. 2013: 18).
InvasionImpactRiskPage content last updated on 2021-09-16. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-20.
