Melica transsilvanica Schur. Family - Poaceae. Common Name(s) - red spire. Synonym(s) - M. ciliata var. caespitosa-pratensis Schur

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01)

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

0

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y

1

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

n

0

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

-2

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n

0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

y

1

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

4.05

Toxic to animals

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

n

0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

n

0

5.01

Aquatic

n

0

5.02

Grass

y

1

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y

1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y

1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

1

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y

1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y

1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

n

-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

Total score:

7

Notes

Reference

1.01

No evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)DISTRIBUTION Europe: central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Asia-temperate: Siberia, Soviet Middle Asia, Caucasus, western Asia, and China. (2)The name Melica transsilvanica Schur applies to a species belonging to the Euro-Siberian flora of the forest-steppe-region with few relictual appearances in central Europe, southern France and northern Italy. (3)This species represents Irano-Turanian geographical element and ranges from the western Europe through the central Europe and the Middle East to central Asia.

(1)Clayton, W.D., Harman, K.T. and Williamson, H. (2006 onwards). GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora. http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html. [accessed 01 May 2008] (2)Hempel, W. 2004. Proposal to Conserve the Name Melica transsilvanica against M. caricina (Poaceae). Taxon 53(3): 836. (3)Szezepaniak, M. and E. Cieslak. Genetic variation and structure in natural populations of Melica ciliata and M. transsilvanica (Poaceae) as indicated by AFLP markers. Biodiv. Res. Conserv. 3-4: 235-230.

2.02

Native range is well known and does not lie within tropical or sub-tropical regions.

2.03

(1)Hardiness: USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55818/ [Accessed 01 May 2008]

2.04

(1)DISTRIBUTION Europe: central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Asia-temperate: Siberia, Soviet Middle Asia, Caucasus, western Asia, and China. (2)The name Melica transsilvanica Schur applies to a species belonging to the Euro-Siberian flora of the forest-steppe-region with few relictual appearances in central Europe, southern France and northern Italy. (3)This species represents Irano-Turanian geographical element and ranges from the western Europe through the central Europe and the Middle East to central Asia.

(1)Clayton, W.D., Harman, K.T. and Williamson, H. (2006 onwards). GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora. http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html. [accessed 01 May 2008] (2)Hempel, W. 2004. Proposal to Conserve the Name Melica transsilvanica against M. caricina (Poaceae). Taxon 53(3): 836. (3)Szezepaniak, M. and E. Cieslak. Genetic variation and structure in natural populations of Melica ciliata and M. transsilvanica (Poaceae) as indicated by AFLP markers. Biodiv. Res. Conserv. 3-4: 235-230.

2.05

(1)This plant has been said to grow in the following regions: Washington, Illinois (2)i'm starting a lot from seed now, including schizachyrium scoparium, panicum virgatum, molina caerulea, and melica transsilvanica. [Grower from North Carolina] (3)Melica transsilvanica ‘Red Spire’ [Grown in Oklahoma]

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55818/ [Accessed 01 May 2008] (2)http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/grasses/msg0109244524417.html [Accessed 02 May 2008] (3)Dole, J. 1998 ASCFG National Seed Trials. Oklahoma State University. Available from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/floriculture/draft/cut_flower/pdf/Cultivar_Trials/seed98_rpt.PDF [Accessed 02 May 2008]

3.01

(1)Despite availability and popularity in seed packets, no records of naturalization have been documented outside its native range.

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 02 May 2008]

3.02

No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 02 May 2008]

3.03

No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 02 May 2008]

3.04

No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 02 May 2008]

3.05

(1)Abstract: Melica macra is a widespread grass of Central and Northern Argentina. It is considered an invasive weed in natural grasslands. (2)Melica ciliata, a widespread grass weed which is poisonous to stock and spreads by rhizomes. (3)Melica,ciliata,,,,,,,,Australian Naturalised and/or Noxious Taxa

(1)Perreta, M. G. and A. C. Vegetti. 2004. Structure and development of the branching system in Melica macra (Poaceae). Flora (Jena): 199(1) 36-41. (2)Groves, R. H., F. D. Panetta and J. G. Virtue. 2000. Weed Risk Assessment. CSIRO Publishing. Collingwood, Australia. (3)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/global/australia/poa.html [Accessed 05 May 2008]

4.01

No evidence

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Unknown (1)This plant is resistant to deer [uncertain whether plant is tolerant of browsing or is actually unpalatable to animals]

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55818/ [Accessed 02 May 2008]

4.05

Unknown for M. transsilvanica, but other members of genus exhibit toxicity. (1)Toxicity: Poisonous to horses, cattle and donkeys when consumed in more than very small quantities. Poison has a narcotic effect, which has led to the common name of staggers grass...M. decumbens is not propagated and, due to its toxicity, is unlikely to ever be cultivated.

(1)http://www.fao.org/ag/agP/agpc/doc/gbase/Safricadata/meldec.htm [Accessed 05 May 2008]

4.06

No evidence (1)Several species of Achnatherum (grass tribe Stipeae) and Melica (tribe Meliceae) typically are infected by nonpathogenic, seed-transmissible fungi with characteristics of Neotyphodium species (anamorphic Clavicipitaceae). [Non-pathogenic] (2)Generally free from most pest and disease.

(1)Moon, C. D., J-J Guillaumin, C. Ravel, C. Li, K. D. Craven, and C. L. Schardl. 2007. New Neotyphodium endophyte species from the grass tribes Stipeae and Meliceae. Mycologia, 99(6): 895-905. (2)http://www.shears.co.uk/melicaredspire.html [Accessed 02 May 2008]

4.07

No evidence (1)Melic Grass (Melica): Generally considered only a moderate factor in early season grass pollinosis.

(1)http://www.pollenlibrary.com/index.php?view=genus.php&genus=Melica&common=Melic%20Grass [Accessed 05 May 2008]

4.08

Unknown

4.09

(1)Sun Exposure: Full Sun (2)Melica transsilvanica seeds will usually germinate in 10-90 days, even under good conditions germination may be erratic. Normally will only germinate with light (3)Sitelocation: Full sun

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55818/ [Accessed 01 May 2008] (2)http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/cart_print.asp?species=Melica%20transsilvanica&sref=74302 [Accessed 01 May 2008] (3)http://www.benary.com/index.cfm/addin/plants/startid/166/search/1.html [Accessed 02 May 2008]

4.10

(1)Melica likes moist, well drained fertile soil...Will grow in most soil types.

(1)http://www.shears.co.uk/melicaredspire.html [Accessed 02 May 2008]

4.11

(1)HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 40–90 cm long.

(1)Clayton, W.D., Harman, K.T. and Williamson, H. (2006 onwards). GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora. http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html. [accessed 01 May 2008]

4.12

(1)HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 40–90 cm long [short-statured clump-forming grass unlikely to impede movement]

(1)Clayton, W.D., Harman, K.T. and Williamson, H. (2006 onwards). GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora. http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html. [accessed 01 May 2008]

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

Poaceae

5.03

Poaceae

5.04

(1)Melica transsilvanica Schr….Life Form Hemi-cryptophytic [Perennial that rests on the soil surface – plants with resting buds at or near the level of the soil]

(1)MIJATOVIĆ, M., B. KARADŽIĆ, S. JARIĆ, Z. POPOVIĆ, P. PAVLOVIĆ, M. MITROVIĆ1, and L. ĐURĐEVIĆ. 2007. CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE OF THE VASCULAR FLORA OF THE RESAVA GORGE, EASTERN SERBIA. Arch. Biol. Sci. 59(1): 75-80.

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1)FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret...FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear. (2)Propagation Methods: From seed; sow indoors before last frost

(1)Clayton, W.D., Harman, K.T. and Williamson, H. (2006 onwards). GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora. http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html. [accessed 01 May 2008] (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55818/ [Accessed 01 May 2008]

6.03

(1)hybrids between M. ciliata and M. transsilvanica were reported to be fairly common by Conert (1992), and Hempel (1970) discusses the importance of a number of intermediate forms.

(1)Tyler, T. 2004. Studies in the Melica ciliata – complex: 1. Distribution of allozyme variation within and among individuals, populations and geographic regions. Plant Systematics and Evolution 248: 1–30.

6.04

(1)At the intraspecific level, most genetic diversity resided between populations of both M. ciliata and M. transsilvanica (FST=0.84 and 0.94, respectively), that indicates a high level of inbreeding. The obtained low level of AFLP variation and the high FST values suggest the weakness or absence of gene flow among populations of these species, and maintenance the separate, local gene pool in each population. Fragmented landscapes, the putative self-pollinated breeding system and genetic drift, particularly in small size populations, may perform an important role in shaping the genetic diversity of the populations and the genetic structure of M. ciliata and M. transsilvanica.

(1)Szczepaniak M. & Cieślak E. 2006. Genetic variation and structure in natural populations of Melica ciliata and M. transsilvanica (Poaceae) as indicated by AFLP markers. Biodiv. Res. Conserv. 3-4: 235-239.

6.05

Poaceae [presumably wind-pollinated]

(1)Clayton, W.D., Harman, K.T. and Williamson, H. (2006 onwards). GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora. http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html. [accessed 01 May 2008]

6.06

(1)HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. (2)Lateral spread…propagation to 0.3 m per year…[Info. From Appendix of reproductive strategies]

(1)Clayton, W.D., Harman, K.T. and Williamson, H. (2006 onwards). GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora. http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html. [accessed 01 May 2008] (2)Sera, B. 2005. Diaspores - Potential or real power of wild plants? Life Cycle. Ekológia (Bratislava) 24(Suppl. 1): 7-27.

6.07

(1)Melica transsilvanica - Red Spire 1.6-1.8m Perennial Ornamental Grass. Deep red plumes with reddish brown foliage, ideal for rear of borders and landscape planting, flowers in first year from early sowing. Excellent subject for either fresh or dried flowers.

(1)http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/pages/page6agrasses-3.htm [Accessed 01 May 2008]

7.01

Unknown [possible that small seeds could be spread unintentionally]

7.02

(1)Ornamental grass (2)Sold in ornamental seed packets

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55818/ [Accessed 01 May 2008] (2)http://www.seedman.com/Orngrass.htm [Accessed 01 May 2008]

7.03

Unknown, but availability of viable seeds in ornamental seed packets, and ability of seeds to spread via wind dispersal suggest this taxa could become a produce contaminant

7.04

(1)Seeds with fine hairs suggest ability to be wind-dispersed

(1)http://www.rms.org.uk/education-competitions_runnerups.shtml [Accessed 05 May 2008]

7.05

Unlikely, given terrestrial (i.e. non-riparian or coastal) habitat

7.06

Unlikely, given morphology of seeds

7.07

(1)Potential for hairy seeds to becomes stuck to animals externally.

(1)http://www.rms.org.uk/education-competitions_runnerups.shtml [Accessed 05 May 2008]

7.08

Unlikely, given seed morphology

8.01

Unknown

8.02

(1)Probably, as several members of genus have seeds viable for more than 1 year

(1)http://data.kew.org/sid/SidServlet?Clade=&Order=&Family=&APG=off&Genus=Melica&Species=&StorBehav=0 [Accessed 05 May 2008]

8.03

Unknown

8.04

Unknown

8.05

Unknown