2005 · 30 citations · 0 references
AgricultureEcologyPlant SciencesInvasion EcologyInvasive Species ManagementWeed EcologyInvasive Plant EcologyInvasive Plant ManagementInvasive Weed BiologyPlant Invasion EcologyWeed Invasion EcologyWeed ManagementClassical Biological Weed ControlEcological Weed ManagementInvasive Weed ControlInvasive Weed ManagementInvasive Weed SuppressionWeed Invasion DynamicsWeed Invasion Spread
Alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., with its center of origin in the Rio de la Plata Basin of southern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina, is a widespread invasive weed in North America, southeast Asia, southern Europe, Oceania, and the East and West Africa, and now has become one of the most serious invasive weeds in the world. It is one of the first listed 9 invasive plants in the Chinese state biodiversity report. This paper reviewed the origin, distribution, spreading and damage of alligatorweed, and analyzed its invasive mechanism. As the most successful case study on controlling the invasive weed by classical biological control approach in China, the process, practice and some experiments of using Agasicles hygrophila to control alligatorweed were also recommended. In addition, some challenges and possible strategies with regard to managing alligatorweed were discussed. Ref 60