Vol. 76 No. 1 (2021)
Articles

Strelitzia nicolaii Regel & Körn. (Strelitziaceae), a casual alien plant new to Northern Hemisphere

Giuseppe Collesano
Regione Siciliana, Viale Regione Siciliana 33, Palermo, Italy
Antonina Fiorello
Bioparco di Sicilia, Via Vespucci 420, Carini, Italy
Salvatore Pasta
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Bioscienze e BioRisorse, Corso Calatafimi 414, Palermo, Italy

Published 2021-04-06

Keywords

  • subtropical ornamental plants,
  • Mediterranean,
  • naturalization,
  • urban areas,
  • dispersal,
  • pollination
  • ...More
    Less

How to Cite

Collesano, G., Fiorello, A., & Pasta, S. (2021). Strelitzia nicolaii Regel & Körn. (Strelitziaceae), a casual alien plant new to Northern Hemisphere. Webbia, 76(1), 135–140. https://doi.org/10.36253/jopt-10183

Abstract

The ongoing naturalization of the blue giant paradise bird tree, Strelitzia nicolaii, is here reported for the first time for NW Sicily (Italy). Native to SE Africa, this ornamental plant was locally introduced around mid XIX century. During last two decades the first cases of pollination and dispersal have been recorded, and within last 10 years several individuals were able to establish in abandoned Citrus orchards or in private gardens subject to moderate soil management.

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