DITTRICHIA GRAVEOLENS (ASTERACEAE) – A NEW ALIEN PLANT SPECIES FOR ROMANIA

Dittrichia graveolens (L.) W. Greuter, an invasive plant species of Mediterranean origin, is recorded for the first time in Romania. We found the species in October 2020 in two separate locations along the main highway that connects Brașov and Sibiu cities, in Southern Transylvania, central Romania. We present here the first data concerning the species occurrence in the investigated area, its observed habitat, local distribution and accompanying species. We presume that the main vector for the introduction and dispersal of this species in Romania is the high traffic density along the major roads. Dittrichia graveolens has proven its invasive potential in other regions of Europe and North America of similar temperature and precipitation regimes under an overall temperate climate. Consequently, taking into account its fast dispersal, especially in the more favourable habitats for its establishment that exist along the major roads from the lower altitudes and the riparian communities from the western, southern and eastern parts of Romania, we conclude that close monitoring of the species occurrence should be undertaken in order to better assess its full invasive potential in our country and to reduce the risk of impact on natural plant communities.