Abstract:
Broussonetia papyrifera L. was not reported from Lahore, Pakistan, in the earlier half of the 20th century but in the last 20 years it has assumed dominance in modified landscape within the urban centre, whereas the out-skirts are still without it. It is a typical mesophyte and one would not expect it to assume dominance in this climate. There is little information regarding the growth strategies of this invasive exotic, which lead to its establishment in the new habitats, created by man in this arid tract. Observation revealed that its life cycle, availability of dispersal agents, coincidence of early germination period with monsoon season, and pattern of vegetative reproduction helped this mesophytic plant to get firmly established in urban areas of this tract. Once it is established in a suitable area then by modifying the physical conditions of this arid tract to its own existence it can out compete other natives and introduced species. Its dominance in these areas has created a nuisance for the park managers and horticulturists. The cutting and clipping method used to control its spread has proven to be ineffective. Clipping experiments in natural infestation suggests that its ability to produce prolific re-growth after several cuts and its ability to regenerate vegetatively from root suckers would require a more rigorous cutting regime to control the spread of this invasive species.
Page(s):
203-209
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Biologia, Volume: 50, Issue: 2, Year: 2004