80 likes | 251 Views
Invasion of Melaleuca Quinquenervia in Southern Florida by: Val Steinbronn. Introduced Species. Native to Australia Impacts fire management in S. Florida Changes soil topography Invades Cladium jamaicensis marshes. Plant Facts. Grows up to 90 feet high(20 meters) Forms dense stands
E N D
Invasion of Melaleuca Quinquenervia in Southern Florida by: Val Steinbronn
Introduced Species • Native to Australia • Impacts fire management in S. Florida • Changes soil topography • Invades Cladium jamaicensis marshes
Plant Facts • Grows up to 90 feet high(20 meters) • Forms dense stands • Loose outer bark • White flowers • Seeds produced in capsules
Fire Management Concerns • Crown fires common • Foliage contains flammable oils/resins • Increased reproduction potential post burn • Leaf/branch litter on forest canopy allows for ground fires and more intense fires
Integrated Pest Management • Mechanical treatments • Herbicide application • Biological control agents
Biological Control Agents • 1997 Oxyops vitiosa (melaleuca leaf weevil) • 2002 Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (sap-sucking psyllid) • 2004 Fergusonina turneri (melaleuca bud gall fly)
Herbivory Study • Herbivory by Oxyops vitiosa reduces reproduction (Pratt et al 2005)
References • Flores, Alfredo. 2004. TAMEing Melaleuca with IPM. Agricultural Research. Vol. 52 Issue 11 2-6. • Flowers, J.D. 1991. Subtropical fire suppression in Melaleuca quinquenervia. Pp. 151 158. In: Center, T.D., R.F. Doren, R.L. Hofstetter, R.L. Myers, and L.D. Whiteaker, (eds.). Proc. Symp. Exotic Pest Plants, Nov. 2-4, 1988, Miami, Fl. NPS/NREVER/NRTR-91/06 Tech. Rept. , US Dept. Int., Nat. Park Serv., Denver, CO. • Laroche, F.B. 1994. Melaleuca Management Plan for Florida. Exotic Pest Plant Council. 88pp. • Wade, D.D. 1981. Some melaleuca-fire relationships including recommendations forhomesite protection. pp. 29-35 In: R.K. Geiger, (ed) . Proc. Melaleuca Symp.Sept. 23-24,1980, Edison Comm. Coll., Ft. Myers. Fla. Dept. Agric. & Cons. Serv., Div. Forestry, Tallahassee.