Invasiveness Ranking System for Non-Native Plants of Alaska

Germination requirements (0–3) 2The germination of black bindweed seeds is greater on disturbedsites. The disturbance of soils apparently reactivates dormantseeds (Milton et al. 1997). However, germination in undisturbedsoil was also recorded (Roberts and Feast 1973).Other invasive species in the genus (0–3) 3Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. & Zucc., P. perfoliatum L.,P. polystachyum Wallich ex Meisn., and P. sachalinense F. Schmidtex Maxim. are declared noxious weeds in number of Americanstates (USDA, NRSC 2006). Also Polygonum arenastrum Jord.ex Boreau, P. caespitosum Blume, P. aviculare L., P. orientaleL., P. persicaria L., and P. lapathifolium L. are listed as a weedsin PLANTS Database (USDA, NRSC 2006). A number ofPolygonum species native to North America have a weedy habitand are listed as noxious weeds in some of the American states.Although some of the recent taxonomic treatments considersthese as a species of three different genera: Polygonum, Fallopia,and Persicaria (FNA 1993+), they are closely related taxa and canbe considered as congeneric weeds.Aquatic, wetland or riparian species (0–3) 1Black bindweed is a common weed in cultivated fields, gardens,roadsides, and waste areas. It may be occasionally found on rivergravel bars (Hume et al. 1983).Total for Biological Characteristics and Dispersal 16/24Ecological Amplitude and Distribution ScoreHighly domesticated or a weed of agriculture (0–4) 4Black bindweed is a serious weed in crops (Friesen and Shabeski1960, Forsberg and Best 1964).Known level of impact in natural areas (0–6) 1Black bindweed has invaded natural communities in RockyMountain National Park (J. Conn pers. obs.).Role of anthropogenic and natural disturbance inestablishment (0–5)Black bindweed readily established on cultivated fields anddisturbed grounds (Royer and Dickinson 1999, Welsh 1974).However, it is recorded to establish in grasslands with small-scaleanimal disturbances in Germany (Milton et al. 1997).2Current global distribution (0–5) 5Black bindweed originated from Eurasia. It has now beenintroduced into Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand,and Oceania (Hultén 1968, USDA, ARS 2003). It has beencollected from arctic regions in Alaska (Hultén 1068, UAM2006).Extent of the species U.S. range and/or occurrence of5formal state or provincial listing (0–5)Black bindweed is found throughout Canada and the UnitedStates. It is declared noxious in Alaska, Alberta, Manitoba,Minnesota, Oklahoma, Quebec, and Saskatchewan (AlaskaAdministrative Code 1987, Rice 2006, Royer and Dickinson1999).Total for Ecological Amplitude and Distribution 17/25Feasibility of ControlScoreSeed banks (0–3) 3Most seeds of black bindweed germinate in their first year (Chepil1946). However, seeds remain viable in the soil for up to 40 years(Chippendale and Milton 1934). Viability of seeds was 5% after4.7 years, and