Alien weed Xanthium spinosum in Slovakia II: ecological requirements and coenotic affinity

Abstract

Xanthium spinosum is a noxious weed spreading from South America to almost all the whole world. In this study, we focused on ecological demands and coenotic affinity of X. spinosum in Slovakia. Analyses were performed on the basis of 20 own, unpublished as well as published phytosociological relevés and Borhidi’s ecological indication values. The results show that X. spinosum prefers sunny to semi-shadow areas on mesotrophic and moderately nutrient rich soils in semidry, sub-montane as well as thermophilous habitats in a wide range of climatic conditions from oceanic and sub-oceanic to subcontinental. It was mainly recorded in ruderal vegetation units of class Stellarietea mediae, however, the species has occurred in the stands of classes Bidentetea and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea. It is expected to occur in other plant ruderal communities as well.

Keywords

• weeds
• central europe
• communities
• ecological requirements
• introduced species