6533b828fe1ef96bd12888d5
RESEARCH PRODUCT
The recent spread of the invasive woody alien plant Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) in Sicily
Emilio BadalamentiDario CusimanoTommaso La MantiaS. Pastasubject
Alien flora biological invasions Mediterranean introduction historySettore AGR/05 - Assestamento Forestale E SelvicolturaSettore BIO/03 - Botanica Ambientale E Applicatadescription
This paper aims at reporting the ongoing process of naturalization of Melia azedarach L. in Sicily. In fact, over half a century after the first detection of spontaneous self-sown seedlings, an abrupt increase of naturalization cases has been recorded by the authors during the last twenty years. More in detail, M. azedarach successfully colonized many suburban lowland areas along the coasts of the island which are characterised by thermo-Mediterranean bioclimate. According to both field and literature data, a gradual spread of M. azedarach in the island can be expected, although it is not possible to predict the speed with which this will occur. Historical information on its introduction at global and local scales and on the traditional use of its seeds is provided, too.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-01-01 |