Arctotheca calendula (L.) Levyns: An emerging invasive species in Italy

Abstract

Prevention and early detection are considered to be the most effective means of managing non-native invasive species that have serious ecological and economic impacts. Consequently, the study of those taxa that are still in an early stage of invasion but are highly likely to spread and to have a significant adverse impact in future is becoming an increasingly important issue in both the research on and management of invasive species. In Italy, one such species is Arctotheca calendula (L.) Levyns, a herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family that is native to South Africa. Here, we present an overview of current knowledge on the distribution and potential impacts of this species in Italy, and we outline some features that are crucial to understanding and preventing its invasive spread.