Category: Species

Faxonius limosus Rafinesque, 1817

Posted onAuthorManou Pfeiffenschneider

English Spinycheek crayfish Status LU: established. 1st record: 1978.
Lëtzebuergesch Gefleckte Flosskriibs, Kamberkriibs Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern (2016).
Français Écrevisse américaine RA: ISEIA: C2. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Kamberkrebs Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Spinycheek crayfish Wikipedia - Français - Ecrevisse américaine Wikipedia - Deutsch - Kamberkrebs Nederlands | Wikispecies: n/a (2019) | CABI
Nederlands Gevlekte rivierkreeft Back to the list of invertebrates

Brief description

Orconectes limosus - KamberkrebsFaxonius limosus Rafinesque 1817 (Synonyme Orconectes limosus Rafinesque 1817) is native to the east coast of North America. It is unusual in that it lives in silty streams, rather than the clear water usually preferred by crayfish. Like Pacifastacus leniusculus, another invasive North American crayfish, O. limosus carries crayfish plague and is a threat to native European crayfish. The spinycheek crayfish was introduced to Germany in 1890, and has since spread across much of Northern Europe, recently reaching the United Kingdom. It has also spread southwards as far as the Danube in Serbia. These Crayfish live on the bottom of the freshwater pools, such as lakes, ponds and swamps. They prefer flat, sandy, and rocky floors. They are also found outside the water on beaches or lawns near the pool of water. They use rocks to make burrows while in the water (Wikipedia contributors 2019).

Faxonius limosus is omnivorous and, being able to reach high densities, can impact native macroinvertebrates and macrophytes (CABI 2019).

IAS of Union concern

In 2016, Faxonius limosus Rafinesque 1817 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.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Faxonius limosus Rafinesque 1817 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

Faxonius limosus Rafinesque 1817 was first documented in Luxembourg in 1978 in the river Moselle near Wasserbillig, municipality of Mertert (Neitzke 1978 cit. in Dhur & Massard 1995: 144). Atten (1987) located the immigrant in several places in Moselle (Schengen, Remich), Duhr (1993) downstream of Stadtbredimus, in the Remerschen ponds and in the lower reaches of the Sûre (cit. in Duhr & Massard 1995: 144 & 147).

It is no longer possible to eliminate the spinycheek crayfish populations present (Troschel 2010: 202, Troschel & Bartl 1998: 146).

Management

Action plan

An action plan regarding the management of Faxonius limosus (and Pacifastacus leniusculus) has been published in 2020:

→ Finalised Action Plan for Faxonius limosus (De Sousa 2020)

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C2 (1+2+3+1) (Ries et al. 2017: 68).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

cabi.org: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/72033#toDistributionMaps

Fact sheet

PDF fact sheet of the Nature and Forestry Administration: FR | DE

Bibliography

  • Administration des eaux et forêts, service de la chasse et de la pêche, 1998. Fische in Luxemburg. Kartierung der Fische, Neunaugen und Flußkrebse des Großherzogtums Luxemburg. ISBN 2-495-28004-8. 153 pp.
  • Anonymous, 2016. Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2016/1141 of 13 July 2016 adopting a list of invasive alien species of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Union L 189: 4-5.
  • Atten, D., 1987. Étude des populations d’Ecrevisses d’eau douce au grand-duché de Luxembourg et spécialement de l’Écrevisse de Californie. Luxembourg, Mémoire sci. asp. prof., 190 pp.
  • CABI, 2010. Faxonius limosus (Rafinesque, 1817) [original text by Elena Tricarico]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2019-11-25]
  • De Sousa, Tiago, 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg : l’Écrevisse signal, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852) et l’Écrevisse américaine, Faxonius limosus (Rafinesque, 1817). Version 4/09/2020. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 29 pp.
  • Duhr, G., 1993. Étude des espèces d’invertébrés immigrés ou introduites dans la Moselle luxembourgeoise et dans les écosystèmes aquatiques qui en dépendent. Historique et répartition actuelle. Centre univ. Luxemb., Dép. Form. pédag., mém. sci. 213 p.
  • Dhur, G. & J.A. Massard, 1995. Étude historique et faunistique des Invertébrés immigrés ou introduits dans la Moselle luxembourgeoise et ses affluents. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 96: 127-156. [PDF 1896 KB]
  • Meisch, C. & J.A. Massard, 2015. Les recherches sur les crustacés (Crustacea) du Luxembourg : aperçu historique. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 381-390. [Orconectes limosus: p. 282]
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Orconectes limosus Rafinesque 1817 in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-11-25]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Orconectes limosus Rafinesque 1817 in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-11-25]
  • Neitzke, C., 1978. Zur Kenntnis des Makrozoobenthons der Mosel: Weichtiere (Mollusca). Wissenschaftliche Hausarbeit zum Staatsexamen für das Lehramt an Gymnasien, Mainz.
  • Ries, C., A. Arendt, C. Braunert, S. Christian, A. Dohet, A. Frantz, G. Geimer, M. Hellers, J. A. Massard, X. Mestdagh, R. Proess, N. Schneider & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2017. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of invertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 63-70. [PDF 360 KB]
  • Troschel, H.J., 2010. Les poissons au Luxembourg. Cartographie des poissons, lamproies et écrevisses du grand-duché de Luxembourg. 2e édition. Administration de la gestion de l’eau, Luxembourg. ISBN 978-2-91989-713-1. 223 pp. [Orconectes limosus: p. 202-203]
  • Troschel, H.J. & G. Bartl, 1998. Fische in Luxem-burg. Kartierung der Fische, Neunaugen und Flusskrebse des Großherzogtums Luxemburg. Administration des Eaux et Forêts (éd.), Luxembourg, 168 pp. [Orconectes limosus: p. 146-147]
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2019. Orconectes limosus in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 September 2019. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orconectes_limosus [accessed 2019-11-25]

 Page content last updated on 2024-07-31.

Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana, 1852

Posted onAuthorManou Pfeiffenschneider

English Signal crayfish Status LU: established. 1st record: 1996.
Lëtzebuergesch Signalkriibs Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern.
Français Écrevisse de Californie RA: ISEIA: A3, Black List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Signalkrebs Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Signal crayfish Wikipedia - Français - Ecrevisse de Californie Wikipedia - Deutsch - Signalkrebs Nederlands | Wikispecies: n/a (2020)
Nederlands Signaalkreeft Back to the list of invertebrates

Brief description

Signal crayfish female Pacifastacus leniusculus Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana, 1852 is a North American species of crayfish. It was introduced to Europe in the 1960s to supplement the North European Astacus astacus fisheries, which were being damaged by crayfish plague, but the imports turned out to be a carrier of that disease. The signal crayfish is now considered an invasive species across Europe, Japan, and California ousting native species there. The signal crayfish is now the most widespread alien crayfish in Europe, occurring in 25 countries. From 1907, crayfish plague, an infectious disease caused by the water mould Aphanomyces astaci, damaged stocks of the native European crayfish Astacus astacus. All American species carry the infection, but it is only lethal to individuals that are already stressed; to European species, the infection is rapidly fatal (Wikipedia contributors 2020).

The signal crayfish is an omnivore, with most of its dietary intake being detritus. Members of this species are typically 6–9 centimetres long, although sizes up to 16–20.32 centimetres are possible. They are bluish-brown to reddish-brown in colour, with robust, large, smooth claws. They have a white to pale blue-green patch near the claw hinge, like the white flags that signalmen used for directing trains—hence the name. Around 200–400 eggs are laid after mating in the autumn, and are carried under the female’s tail until they are ready to hatch the following spring. The eggs hatch into juveniles, which pass through three stages (two moults) before leaving their mother. Sexual maturity is reached after two to three years, and the lifespan can be up to 20 years (Wikipedia contributors 2020).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana 1852 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

Over 1.000 occurrences of Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana, 1852 are documented in the Recorder-Lux database, the first from 1996 (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020). The species has been present in Luxembourg since much earlier though. Dhur & Massard (1995) describe stockings of P. leniusculus in the lake of Esch/Sûre (1972), Kriibseweier/Gonderange (1974, 1975, 1976), Attert, Wark, Tandlerbaach, Dirbach, ponds at Kockelscheuer and Gostingen, the lake in Echternach, the Sûre close to Wallendorf and the Syre, ranging from 1977 to 1986.

Management

Action plan

An action plan regarding Pacifastacus leniusculus (and Faxonius limosus) has been published in 2020:

→ Finalised Action Plan for Pacifastacus leniusculus (De Sousa 2020)

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

A3 (3+3+3+2) = Black List (Ries et al. 2017: 68).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Fact sheet

PDF fact sheet of the Nature and Forestry Administration: FR | DE

Bibliography

  • Administration des eaux et forêts, Service de la chasse et de la pêche, 1998. Fische in Luxemburg. Kartierung der Fische, Neunaugen und Flußkrebse des Großherzogtums Luxemburg. ISBN 2-495-28004-8. 153 pp.
  • Administration de la gestion de l’eau, 2010. Les poissons au Luxembourg, Cartographie des poissons, lamproies et écrevisses du grand-duché de Luxembourg. 2e édition. ISBN 978-2-91989-713-1. 213 pp.
  • Atten, D., 1987. Étude des populations d’Ecrevisses d’eau douce au grand-duché de Luxembourg et spécialement de l’Écrevisse de Californie. Luxembourg, Mémoire sci. asp. prof., 190 pp.
  • De Sousa, Tiago, 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg: l’Écrevisse signal, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852) et l’Écrevisse américaine, Faxonius limosus (Rafinesque, 1817). Version 4/09/2020. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 29 pp.
  • Dhur, G. & J.A. Massard, 1995. Étude historique et faunistique des Invertébrés immigrés ou introduits dans la Moselle luxembourgeoise et ses affluents. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 96: 127-156. [PDF 1896 KB]
  • GBIF, 2020. Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei [accessed 2020-03-13]
  • Meisch, C. & J.A. Massard, 2015. Les recherches sur les crustacés (Crustacea) du Luxembourg : aperçu historique. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 381-390.
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. Pacifastacus leniusculus in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2020-03-13]
  • Ries, C., A. Arendt, C. Braunert, S. Christian, A. Dohet, A. Frantz, G. Geimer, M. Hellers, J. A. Massard, X. Mestdagh, R. Proess, N. Schneider & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2017. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of invertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 63-70. [PDF 360 KB]
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2020. ‘Signal crayfish’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 31 January 2020, 01:54 UTC, <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Signal_crayfish&oldid=938417407> [accessed 2020-03-13]

 Page content last updated on 2025-09-25. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-12-11.

Atriplex micrantha Ledeb.

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English n/a Status LU: established. 1st record: LU & ITW 2007.
Lëtzebuergesch Verschiddesomeg Méil Status Eur.: established. 1st record: FR 1906.
Français Arroche hétérosperme RA: ISEIA: C2. Harmonia+: 0,09
Deutsch Verschiedensamige Melde Wikipedia: Wikipedia - Deutsch - Verschiedensamige_Melde | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Atriplex micrantha | CABI
Nederlands Grijze melde Back to the list of neophytes

Brief description

In its native Central Asia, Atriplex micrantha Ledeb. grows in steppes on saline soil, on the shores of water, or in the steppe and semi-desert zone. The species was introduced into large parts of Europe through trade and traffic. It was probably unintentionally introduced to Central Europe from Russia with grain supplies. Its first finds date from 1906 in Alsace (Rhine port). From there, it has spread out strongly along the waterways and traffic routes in recent decades (Wikipedia contributors 2019).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Atriplex micrantha Ledeb. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

The annual halophyte Atriplex micrantha Ledeb. (syn.: A. heterosperma Bunge), once known as a very rare weed, began to naturalize in the flora territory in 2003. It spread rapidly along motorways, entering this territory apparently from the east and southwest (Germany and French Lorraine) (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 168).

The species was first spotted in Hellange (Municipality of Frisange) on 14 October 2007, in a roundabout at a construction site on controlled-access highway E29 (Weicherding 2007, MNHNL 2000-, herbarium nr 22483).1

Since this single observation, the species managed to invade the Luxembourg highway network unnoticed, until a large population was spotted in summer 2015 in Potaschberg on the A1 highway between Trier and Luxembourg (Krippel & Colling 2016: 30).2

A field inspection in autumn 2015 revealed the invasive plant grows in the median strip of the A1 almost from the German border until Luxembourg city in huge very dense populations3, which confirms the Belgian point of view that “the species is still insufficiently known and widely neglected”.4 Atriplex micrantha, which was dominant in the middle part of the median strip, occurred together with the following species: Senecio inaequidens (dominant on the borders of the median strip), Mercurialis annua, Plantago intermedia, Prunus spinosa and Rosa rugosa.

On 13 October 2015 the species was spotted along the Jersey barrier of highway A6 between the Belgian border and Mamer5.

Since then the species managed to travel north along the A7 highway until Colmar-Berg and the B7 national highway until Ettelbruck (Krippel et al. 2018: 60). Since then, the expansion of the species is ongoing along these highways (Krippel et. al 2020: 33).

Atriplex micrantha is very salt-tolerant and benefits from the extensive use of de-icing salt along motorways during winter. It probably arrived in Luxembourg via its large secondary distribution area in Germany, namely the A1 from Trier. It is present in our neighbouring regions in Belgium (Verloove 2006), Lorraine (Georges 2006) and Saarland (Weicherding 2007).

Atriplex micrantha Herbier MNHNL 2007

Specimen of the MNHNL Herbarium (Acc Nr. MNHNL 2011/47)

Atriplex micrantha in the median strip of the A1 highway near Potaschberg. Photo: Jim Meisch, 08.10.2014.

Atriplex micrantha in the median strip of the A1 highway near Potaschberg. Photo: Jim Meisch, 08.10.2014.

Atriplex micrantha in the median strip of the A1 highway, together with Senecio inaequidens. Photo: Jim Meisch, 08.10.2014.

Atriplex micrantha in the median strip of the A1 highway near Potaschberg, together with Senecio inaequidens. Photo: Jim Meisch, 08.10.2014.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C2 (3+1+1+1). First assessed 16 February 2017 by Yves Krippel and Christian Ries.

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,09 = (Overall Invasion score 0,36 x Overall Impact score 0,25) (Ries et al. 2020).

0,36Invasion
0,25Impact
0,09Risk

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Georges, N., 2006. Note sur deux nouvelles espèces de Chenopodiaceae adventices en Lorraine : Bassia scoparia (L.) Voss et Atriplex micrantha Ledeb. Willemetia 48: 1-4. [PDF]
  • Krippel, Y. & G. Colling, 2016. Notes floristiques. Observations faites au Luxembourg (2014-2015). Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 118 : 27-51.
  • Krippel, Y., T. Helminger & G. Colling, 2018. Notes floristiques. Observations faites au Luxembourg (2016-2017). Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 120: 57-76. [PDF 265 KB]
  • Krippel, Y., T. Helminger & G. Colling, 2020. Notes floristiques. Observations faites au Luxembourg (2018-2019). Bulletin Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122 : 29-55. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Lambinon J. & F. Verloove, 2012. Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du grand-duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Sixième édition. Avec la collaboration de L. Delvosalle, B. Toussaint, D. Geerinck, I. Hoste, F. Van Rossum, B. Cornier, R. Schumacker, A. Vanderpoorten et H. Vannerom. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise. CXXXIX + 1195 pp. ISBN : 9789072619884.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Atriplex micrantha Ledeb. in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-02]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Atriplex micrantha Ledeb. in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-02]
  • Ries, C. & Y. Krippel, 2021. First records of 56 invasive alien vascular plants in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123: 115-127. [PDF 241 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2020. Risk assessment after the Harmonia+ protocol of invasive alien vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122: 197-205. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Verloove, F., 2006. Atriplex micrantha, een nieuwe neofyt langs belangrijke verkeerswegen in België. Dumortiera 88: 15-20.
  • Weicherding, F.-J., 2007. Zur Verbreitung und Soziologie der adventiven Melden Atriplex micrantha Ledeb. (Verschiedensamige Melde), Atriplex sagittata Borkh. (Glanz-Melde) und Atriplex oblongifolia Waldst. et Kit. (Langblättrige Melde) (Chenopodiaceae) im Saarland und in angrenzenden Gebieten. Abh. Delattinia 33: 117-139.
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2019. Seite „Verschiedensamige Melde“ in Wikipedia, Die freie Enzyklopädie. Bearbeitungsstand: 1. Mai 2019, 23:11 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Verschiedensamige_Melde&oldid=188124273 [accessed 23 October 2019]

http://euromed.luomus.fi/euromed_map.php?taxon=544848&amp;size=medium

 Page content last updated on 2021-06-02. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-13.

  1. Atriplex micrantha was first spotted in Luxembourg on 14 October 2007 by German Horticulturist Franz-Josef Weicherding, St. Ingbert/Saar. He offered a specimen to the herbarium of the MNHNL (Acc Nr. MNHNL 2011/47).[↩]
  2. Atriplex micrantha was spotted on 15 August 2015 by botanist Yves Krippel, scientific cooperator of the National Museum of Natural History.[↩]
  3. Inspection was carried out on 8 October 2015 by Dr Christian Ries and Dr Jim Meisch, curators at the National Museum of Natural History (WGS 84 6.41204, 49.68373). This “field trip” on the middle strip of a highway had to be coordinated with the highways unit of the department of civil engineering.[↩]
  4. Cf. Atriplex micrantha in the Manual of the Alien Plants of Belgium[↩]
  5. The plants were smaller (± 40-50 cm) than on the A1 (± 150 cm). Observation by Dr Christian Ries while driving car in the mentioned direction.[↩]

Trachemys scripta scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792)

Posted onAuthorManou Pfeiffenschneider

English Yellow-bellied slider Status LU: established. 1st record: ?
Lëtzebuergesch Gielpanz-Deckelsmouk Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern (2016).
Français Tortue à tempes jaunes RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: 0,10
Deutsch Gelbbauch-Schmuckschildkröte Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Yellow-bellied slider Wikipedia - Français - Trachemys scripta scripta Wikipedia - Deutsch - Gelbbauch-Schmuckschildkröte Wikipedia - Nederlands - Geelbuikschildpad | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Trachemys scripta scripta
Nederlands Geelbuikschildpad Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Yellow-bellied Slider 2Trachemys scripta scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792), the yellow-bellied slider, is a land and water turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. This subspecies of pond slider is native to the southeastern United States, specifically from Florida to southeastern Virginia, and is the most common turtle species in its range. It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including slow-moving rivers, floodplain swamps, marshes, seasonal wetlands, and permanent ponds. Yellow-Bellied Sliders are popular as pets (Wikipedia contributors, 2020a).

The species has been introduced to many parts of the world primarily through escape or deliberate release, which often occurs when the “cute tiny turtles” have grown to large sizes up to 30 cm in a small aquarium.

IAS of Union concern

In 2016, the species Trachemys scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792), to which belongs the present subspecies Trachemys scripta scripta, was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2016) under it’s synonym Trachemys scripta (Schoepff, 1792). This implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Trachemys scripta scripta Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

In 2024, some 340 records of the two subspecies Trachemys scripta scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792) and Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839) in Luxembourg are accessible through the MNHNL-mdata portal (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2024).

An early observation in the wild in Luxembourg was made on 21st July 2015 by Manou Pfeiffenschneider in the river Chiers on the northern edge of the nature conservation area Dreckwiss (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020). It remains unclear if this observation can be considered as a first record of the subspecies in Luxembourg.

Invasive pond sliders have been observed climbing the platforms of waterbirds, especially great crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus), to sunbathe, thus preventing successful breeding (Konter 2020: 81). Although there is currently every indication that turtle hatchlings are unable to produce viable embryos in the climatic conditions currently prevailing in Luxembourg, this could change with global warming (De Sousa 2020).

Records of Trachemys scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792) in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

 

Management

Action plan

An action plan concerning the two subspecies has been published in 2020:

→ Finalised Action Plan for Trachemys scripta (De Sousa 2020)

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C1 (1+2+3+1) (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,10 = (Overall Invasion score 0,56 x Overall Impact score 0,18) (evaluated by Sandra Cellina, Roland Proess and Manou Pfeiffenschneider).

0,56Invasion
0,18Impact
0,10Risk

Worldwide distribution

Other Trachemys taxa

The pond slider Trachemys scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792) has three subspecies (Wikipedia contributors 2020b), of which the first two occur in Luxembourg:

  • Trachemys scripta scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792), the yellow-bellied slider;
  • Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839), the red-eared slider;
  • Trachemys scripta troostii (Holbrook, 1836), the Cumberland slider. According to GBIF (2019b) this subspecies is already present in Europe (Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Spain)

Bibliography

  • Anonymous, 2016. Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2016/1141 of 13 July 2016 adopting a list of invasive alien species of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Union L 189: 4-5.
  • De Sousa, T., 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg: la Tortue de Floride, Trachemys scripta ssp. (Schoepff, 1792). Version 2020-09-04. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 24 pp.
  • GBIF, 2019a. Trachemys scripta subsp. scripta in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei [accessed 2020-04-27]
  • GBIF, 2019b. Trachemys scripta subsp. troostii (Holbrook, 1836) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2020-04-27.
  • Konter, A., 2020. Schmuckschildkröten Trachemys scripla verhindern mehrere Haubentaucherbruten Podiceps cristalus auf dem Echternacher See. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 35: 81-86.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Trachemys scripta scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792) in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Trachemys scripta scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2020a. ‘Yellow-bellied slider’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 18 March 2020, 03:07 UTC, <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yellow-bellied_slider&oldid=946106051> [accessed 2020-04-27]
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2020b. ‘Pond slider’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 8 January 2020, 04:07 UTC, <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pond_slider&oldid=934733603> [accessed 2020-04-27]

 Page content last updated on 2024-07-31. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-29.

Pimephales promelas (Rafinesque, 1820)

Posted onAuthorManou Pfeiffenschneider

English Fathead minnow Status LU: casual. 1st record: ~1996.
Lëtzebuergesch Amerikaneschen Déckkapp-Dreckseller1 Status Eur.: established.
Français Tête de boule RA: ISEIA: C0. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Amerikanische Dickkopfelritze Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Fathead_minnow Wikipedia - Français - Tête de boule  Wikipedia - Nederlands - Amerikaanse dikkop-elrits | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Pimephales promelas | CABI
Nederlands Amerikaanse dikkop-elrits Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Pimephales promelasPimephales promelas (Rafinesque, 1820), commonly known as the fathead minnow, is a small-bodied, short-lived, nest guarding cyprinid fish. It is one of the most widely distributed fishes in North America and its native range covers large expanses from the Rocky Mountains in Canada south to Texas and northern Mexico. It has been accidently or intentionally introduced to many areas, where it has been stocked for its use as bait or as an aquarium pet. It is tolerant of a range of environmental conditions, has a high reproductive output and consumes a variety of food resources. It therefore has a high invasive potential and has been recorded as a pest in many countries. It is known to cause declines of native and endangered species including Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), the Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Oregon and California. It has also negatively impacted habitats, such as wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region, USA. In Europe, its introduction has resulted in the spread of enteric redmouth disease through the introduction of a bacterial pathogen (Yersinia ruckeri) (CABI 2019).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, Pimephales promelas (Rafinesque, 1820) was first documented during a species inventory in 1996/1997 (Administration des eaux et forêts 1998). Five individuals were caught in three different spots (Lower Sauer, Alzette and Diddelengerbaach). These occurrences are probably due to the animals’ use as live bait or the release of aquarium fish.

During an identical inventory in 2005, the species was not found in Luxembourgian watercourses anymore (Administration de la gestion de l’eau 2010).

There is no distribution map available because no data has been entered into the Recorder-Lux database so far (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C01 (1+1+1+1) (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Administration des eaux et forêts, Service de la Chasse et de la Pêche (1998): Fische in Luxemburg, Kartierung der Fische, Neunaugen und Flußkrebse des Großherzogtums Luxemburg, ISBN: 2-495-28004-8, 153 pp.
  • Administration de la gestion de l’eau (2010): Les poissons au Luxembourg, Cartographie des poissons, lamproies et écrevisses du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, 2ième édition, ISBN: 978-2-91989-713-1, 213 pp.
  • CABI, 2019. Pimephales promelas (Rafinesque, 1820). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • Klees, H., 1981. Luxemburger Tiernamen. Beiträge zur luxemburgischen Sprach- und Volkskunde XIV. Institut grand-ducal, Section de linguistique, de folklore et de toponymie. 2. Aufl. 131 S. Imprimerie Pierre Linden, Luxembourg.
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]

 Page content last updated on 2020-04-23. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-28.

  1. Elritze cf. Klees 1981: 27.[↩]

Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814)

Posted onAuthorManou Pfeiffenschneider

English Round goby Status LU: established. 1st record: ~2010.
Lëtzebuergesch Schwaarzmond-Grondel Status Eur.: established.
Français Gobie à taches noires RA: ISEIA: A2, Black List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Schwarzmund-Grundel Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Round goby Wikipedia - Français - Gobie à taches noires Wikipedia - Deutsch - Schwarzmund-Grundel Wikipedia - Nederlands - Zwartbekgrondel | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Neogobius melanostomus
Nederlands Zwartbekgrondel Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Little maile round goby caught in HollandNeogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) is a bottom dwelling fish that lives in slow brackish and fresh waters. It is typically found near rocky substrates, but also in fine gravel and sandy bottoms. The round goby is a voracious feeder of benthic freshwater invertebrates (e.g. bivalves) and small fishes. It has been reported to reduce populations of native fish through predation and food competition, its main advantage being its ability to feed in darkness. Adults may occupy the prime spawning areas and defend those sites aggressively, keeping natives out. The round goby may rapidly become a dominant fish species and may be responsible for fish species displacement and for the impoverishment of aquatic communities (Branquart & Verreycken 2014).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) is known to colonise the Luxembourg part of the Moselle river since around 2010. Together with Neogobius kessleri, the species was sampled regulary in the lower Sauer in the last years; in 2017 it was sampled in the Our (Dohet 2017).

On 27th July 2015, a parliamentary question was raised in the Luxembourg parliament about the invasion of Neogobius species in the Moselle river. This was echoed in the daily newspaper Tageblatt on the same day (Wildschutz 2015).

The distribution map is incomplete because records still have to be entered into the Recorder-Lux database (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

A2 (3+3+3+2) = Black List (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Natural range and places of introduction

Round goby range.png

2014 by Yuriy Kvach. CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35153980

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

    • Branquart, E. & H. Verreycken, 2014. Harmonia database: Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-24]
    • CABI, 2019. Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-04-22]
    • Dohet, A., 2017. Personal communication. LIST.
    • MNHNL, 2000-. Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
    • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
    • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
    • Wildschutz, N., 2015. Grundel-Plage in der Mosel. Tageblatt online 27.07.2015. URL: http://www.tageblatt.lu/nachrichten/grundel-plage-in-der-mosel-16593303/ [2018.04.13]

 Page content last updated on 2023-01-24. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769)

Posted onAuthorManou Pfeiffenschneider

English Rose-ringed parakeet Status LU: established. 1st record: 2018.
Lëtzebuergesch Kollisperruche1 Status Eur.: established.
Français Perruche à collier RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Halsbandsittich Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Rose-ringed parakeet Wikipedia - Français - Perruche à collier Wikipedia - Deutsch - Halsbandsittich Wikipedia - Nederlands - Halsbandparkiet | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Psittacula krameri | CABI
Nederlands Halsbandparkiet Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Ring-necked parakeet in Esch/Alzette (27/03/2019)

Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) prefers habitats like parks, gardens and forests, especially those situated in suburban areas. However, as long as food supplies are adequate, enough cavities are available and temperatures do not drop too low, the species (also known as the ring-necked parakeet) is not restricted to the (sub)urban environment. This bird species has the potential to out-compete native cavity-nesting species for nest sites – effects on rare cavity-nesting birds are, however, not yet documented. In addition, the species could become a serious agricultural pest (fruit trees, vineyards, etc) and may carry diseases that could be harmful to poultry, other native fauna and humans (Anselin et al. 2009).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) was first documented by a member of naturgucker.de on 25 December 2018 in Esch-sur-Alzette (GBIF, 2018; MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).

The first brood of the species in Luxembourg was observed on 10 July 2019 in the Clair-Chêne forest in Esch/Alzette.

There is no distribution map available because no data has been entered into the Recorder-Lux database so far (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).

Breeding couple of the ring-necked parakeet at its breeding site in Esch/Alzette (10.07.2019, picture by Karolin Mildenberger)

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C1 (3+1+1+1) (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

    • Anselin, A., E. Branquart, D. Strubbe & A. Weiserbs, 2009. Harmonia database: Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed 2020-04-22]
    • CABI, 2019. Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-04-22]
    • GBIF, 2018. naturgucker.de. naturgucker. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/uc1apo accessed via GBIF.org on 2020-04-22. https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2329619741
    • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2020-04-22]
    • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
    • Weiss, J., 2015. Liste der Luxemburger Vogelnamen. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 29 (2014): 69-79. [PDF 1.1 MB]

 Page content last updated on 2024-10-28. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-29.

  1. Cf. Weiss 2015: 76.[↩]

Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Mandarin duck Status LU: casual.
Lëtzebuergesch Mandarinint1 Status Eur.: established.
Français Canard mandarin RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: 0,10
Deutsch Mandarinente Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Mandarin duck Wikipedia - Français - Canard mandarin Wikipedia - Deutsch - Mandarinente Wikipedia - Nederlands - Mandarijneend | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Aix galericulata
Nederlands Mandarijneend Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Aix galericulata - Zürich - Hafen Riesbach 2011-01-14 15-58-32Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) is native to Asia but has become established in several European countries. The species, which breeds mainly in tree holes, shows a preference for pools, lakes, rivers and marshes surrounded by deciduous forest. Potential competition with hole-nesting vertebrates has been suggested. The European population is resident and might be of some importance for the conservation of the species (Anselin et al. 2011).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Aix galericulata L. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) was first documented on 15 March 1998 by Claude Heidt on a dam of the Alzette in the Grund district of Luxembourg City (MNHNL 2000-).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C0 (3+1+1+1); the species is considered as not established (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,10 = (Overall Invasion score 0,51 x Overall Impact score 0,21) (evaluated by Jean-Claude Heidt, Sandra Cellina and Tiago De Sousa).

0,51Invasion
0,21Impact
0,10Risk

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Anselin, A., E. Branquart, K. Devos, J.-Y. Paquet, D. Strubbe, D. Vangeluwe & A. Weiserbs, 2011. Harmonia database: Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • GBIF, 2019. Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei [accessed 2020-04-21]
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-04-21]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-04-21]
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Weiss, J., 2015. Liste der Luxemburger Vogelnamen. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 29 (2014): 69-79. [PDF 1.1 MB]

 Page content last updated on 2025-11-12. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

  1. Cf. Weiss 2015: 73.[↩]

Spiraea ×billardii Hérincq

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Billard’s bridewort Status LU: established. 1st record: LU <1875, ITW 1949.
Lëtzebuergesch Billard-Spiertrausch Status Eur.: established. 1st record: ?
Français Spirée de billard RA: ISEIA: B1, Watch List. Harmonia+: 0,00.
Deutsch Billards Spierstrauch Wikipedia: Wikipedia - Français - Spirée de billard | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Spiraea × billardii
Nederlands Billardspirea Back to the list of neophytes

Brief description

Spierstrauch ZwieselSpiraea ×billardii Hérincq is a sterile horticultural hybrid between Spiraea alba Du Roi and Spiraea douglasii Hook. It only reproduces clonally. It grows mainly in ruderal areas and in riparian habitats. Plant habitat preferences are poorly known so far.

S. billardii is a fast-growing rhizomatous species, propagating clonally. As for other Spiraea species, it may easily form dense monospecific thickets smothering native vegetation. It is not known, however, if it has the capacity to inhibit plant successions like S. alba (Branquart et al. 2010).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Spiraea ×billardii Hérincq in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

Spiraea ×billardii Hérincq was first mentioned for Luxembourg by Koltz (1875: 66) in the section about S. salicifolia. We thus consider the first record to be anterior to 1875 (Ries & Krippel 2021).

François Léon Lefort (1917-1975) first documented the species in the wild on 1949-08-03 “along the Ernz Blanche downstream of Medernach, 300 m from the road to Diekirch”  (Herb. LUX specimen № 21985; MNHNL 2000-).

Currently, 5 records of Billard’s bridewort are accessible through the MNHNL-mdata portal (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

This horticultural species is often grown for ornamental purposes in parks and gardens. Subspontaneous or naturalised: old hedges, roadsides, embankments, wastelands (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 326).

This Spiraea is by far the most widespread in the wild. However, the identity of the plant remains debatable: some authors distinguish Spiraea ×billardii (very pale pink corolla; narrowly conical inflorescence) and Spiraea ×Silverside Silverside (Spiraea douglasii × salicifolia) (bright pink corolla; subcylindrical inflorescence; leaf blade more regularly toothed, almost to the base), which would be much more common. However, the recognition of these two taxa seems difficult and therefore S. billardii is sometimes treated in a broad sense as a hybridogenic species that is more or less variable (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 326).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B1 (2+2+3+2) = Watch List, reassessed on 24 January 2019 by C. Ries and M. Pfeiffenschneider. Original assessment: B0 (2+2+3+2) = Alert List (Ries et al. 2013: 19).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,00 = (Overall Invasion score 0,00 x Overall Impact score 0,43) (Ries et al. 2020).

Overall risk score 0,00 = (Overall Invasion score 0,00 x Overall Impact score 0,43) (Ries et al. 2020).

0,00Invasion
0,43Impact
0,00Risk

Worldwide distribution

No worldwide distribution map available at CABI or GBIF (2020-03-04).

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., P. Dupriez, S. Vanderhoeven, W. Van Landuyt, F. Van Rossum & F. Verloove, 2010. Harmonia database: Spiraea ×billardii Hérincq. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-15]
  • Lambinon J. & F. Verloove, 2012. Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du grand-duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Sixième édition. Avec la collaboration de L. Delvosalle, B. Toussaint, D. Geerinck, I. Hoste, F. Van Rossum, B. Cornier, R. Schumacker, A. Vanderpoorten et H. Vannerom. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise. CXXXIX + 1195 pp. ISBN : 9789072619884.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. Spiraea ×billardii Hérincq observed on 1949-08-03, occurrence ID DSS00439000013HF, via https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2021-03-12].
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Spiraea ×billardii Hérincq in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-15]
  • Ries, C. & Y. Krippel, 2021. First records of 56 invasive alien vascular plants in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123: 115-127. [PDF 241 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2020. Risk assessment after the Harmonia+ protocol of invasive alien vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122: 197-205. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel, M. Pfeiffenschneider & S. Schneider, 2013. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of non-native vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 114: 15-21. [PDF 652 KB]

 Page content last updated on 2025-08-26. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-21.

Solidago gigantea Ait.

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Tall goldenrod Status LU: established. 1st record: LU & ITW 1882.
Lëtzebuergesch Riseg Goldrutt Status Eur.: established. 1st record: ~1750.1
Français Verge d’or géante RA: ISEIA: A2, Black List. Harmonia+: 0,26.
Deutsch Riesen-Goldrute Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Tall goldenrod Wikipedia - Français - Verge d'or géante Wikipedia - Deutsch - Riesen-Goldrute Wikipedia - Nederlands - Late guldenroede | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Solidago gigantea | CABI
Nederlands Late guldenroede Back to the list of neophytes

Brief description

Solidago gigantea (subsp. serotina) sl20Solidago gigantea Ait. can grow in a wide range of soil conditions but is not shade-tolerant. The plant is found in many disturbed and nitrogen-rich sites such as ruderal areas, fallow lands, abandoned fields, river banks, etc. and also colonises humid grasslands. It can build up dense and long-lasting populations and easily outcompete native plants, including tree seedlings. Competitive ability is favoured by allelopathic interactions. Once established, the plant may remain dominant for a long period of time and often prevents natural colonisation by woody species (Branquart et al. 2010).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Solidago gigantea Ait. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-12-20.

The oldest herbarium specimen at the MNHNL was collected in 1882 by Jean Feltgen (1833-1904) in a hedge near the village of Angelsberg (Specimen № 15568, MNHNL 2000-). This specimen was labeled Solidago canadensis L. and later verified as Solidago gigantea var. serotina (O. Kunze) Cronq.

The next oldest herbarium specimen at the MNHNL was collected under its synonym Solidago serotina Ait. on 1887-09-08 by Jean Feltgen (1833-1904) in a garden (“jardin Bosseler”) in Mersch (Specimen № 15601, MNHNL 2000-). The next record is a herbarium specimen collected by Jos Witry on 15 July 1937 in gardens in Rumelange (Specimen № 50850, MNHNL 2000-).

Léopold Reichling (1921-2009) reported the species on 1960-09-22 in several locations of the Grund district in Luxembourg City (Bock, Stierchen, Breedewee) (MNHNL 2000-).

Currently, 78 records of tall goldenrod are accessible through the MNHNL-mdata portal (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

This melliferous species native to North America is naturalised in Europe: fairly common to fairly rare, present in waterfronts, forest edges, wastelands, wastelands; often in large stands (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 703).

This species includes populations in North America with variable chromosome numbers. Naturalised plants in Europe have generally been reported to Solidago gigantea subsp. serotina (O. Kuntze) McNeill, still known to be tetraploid. The question remains, however, whether Solidago gigantea subsp. gigantea, diploid, also exists in Europe, and especially whether the two taxa are morphologically identifiable. The problem remains to be studied in the wild (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 703).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

A2 (3+2+3+3) = Black List (Ries et al. 2013: 19).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,20 = (Overall Invasion score 0,63 x Overall Impact score 0,42) (Ries et al. 2020).

0,63Invasion
0,42Impact
0,20Risk

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., S. Vanderhoeven, W. Van Landuyt, F. Van Rossum & F. Verloove, 2010. Harmonia database: Solidago gigantea Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-15]
  • CABI, 2019. Solidago gigantea. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-03-04]
  • Lambinon J. & F. Verloove, 2012. Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du grand-duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Sixième édition. Avec la collaboration de L. Delvosalle, B. Toussaint, D. Geerinck, I. Hoste, F. Van Rossum, B. Cornier, R. Schumacker, A. Vanderpoorten et H. Vannerom. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise. CXXXIX + 1195 pp. ISBN : 9789072619884.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Solidago gigantea Aiton in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-15]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Solidago gigantea Aiton in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-15]
  • Ries, C. & Y. Krippel, 2021. First records of 56 invasive alien vascular plants in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123: 115-127. [PDF 241 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2020. Risk assessment after the Harmonia+ protocol of invasive alien vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122: 197-205. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel, M. Pfeiffenschneider & S. Schneider, 2013. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of non-native vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 114: 15-21. [PDF 652 KB]

 Page content last updated on 2021-09-06. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-21.

  1. Cf. CABI 2019.[↩]