Calluna vulgaris
System : Terrestrial
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Plantae
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliopsida
Ericales
Ericaceae
- General
- Distribution
- Impact
- Management
- Bibliography
- Contact
Common name
biercol (English), Scots heather (English), Scotch heather (English), red-heath (English), ling (English), heather (English)
Synonym
Erica vulgaris , L
Similar species
Summary
Heather, Calluna vulgaris native to Africa, temperate Asia and Europe is an invasive weed in its introduced range in Australia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand. It has also been reported in the sub-Antarctic islands of Falklands and the Crozet Archipelago. Impacts include displacement of native species both plants and insects, and disruption of natural processes of plant regeneration and succession in tussock and shrub lands. Its seeds are known to remain viable in the soil for over 33 years.
Uses
Calluna vulgaris is used as a bee plant, as an ornamental, for erosion control and as a medicinal plant (USDA-ARS, 2010).
Principal source:
Compiler: IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) with support from the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme (OTEP) project XOT603, a joint project with the Cayman Islands Government - Department of Environment
Review:
Publication date: 2010-06-08
Recommended citation: Global Invasive Species Database (2024) Species profile: Calluna vulgaris. Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1623 on 19-04-2024.
General Impacts
Calluna invades native tussock grasslands where it outcompetes native species. It colonises rapidly and forms dense stands up to one metre thick and persistent leaf litter which prevent establishment of native grasses and shrubs (Rogers & Leathwick). Mature stand of Calluna can be almost devoid of other species (CRC, 2003). It represents a major threat to native and rare plants in areas it infests, such as in New Zealand where it is the most widespread region in Tongariro National Park. It also threatens Moawhango Ecological District, a centre of endemism for plants and invertebrates.
By preventing native plants from establishing Calluna can also disrupt natural processes of plant regeneration and succession (Rogers & Leathwick, 1996). Phytophagous insect diversity and abundance has also been negatively affected by the invasion of Calluna in New Zealand due to changing habitat, loss or reduction of normal food plants or increased arachnid predation (Keesing, 1993). It can also alter pH and nutrient levels of soil around plants (Rogers, 1995a).
It has also invaded pasture lands in some areas of New Zealand, and causes management problems in recreational and army training lands in New Zealand (Syrett et al., 2000).
Management Info
Early detection and intervention are the most cost effective forms of weed control. Small infestations can be eradicated before it becomes established, if they are detected quickly. Follow up of control measures are important to ensure eradication has been successful; particularly as Calluna has a long-lived seedbank (CRC, 2003).
Preventative:In areas such as Australia where Calluna is not yet widespread, prevention and education are important to reduce spread. People are encouraged to plant and replace the weed with suitable alternatives. While it is still a permitted import, importation is discouraged. Additionally, care should be taken when buying seeds online or through mail order to check with quarantine that they are free of Calluna and other weeds (CRC, 2003).
Chemical: In New Zealand herbicides may be effective against Calluna. Herbicide trials conducted from 1991 onwards determined that Tordon Brushkiller and Roundup were the most effective herbicides, but that Hi Ester 2,4-D is the most cost effective herbicide for helicopter application over large stands. Helicopter application is the only feasible method for treating large stands of heather, even though it is less effective than hand methods. Herbicides must be applied at intervals of less than two years until the soil seed bank is exhausted (Rogers, 1995a). In Australia there are currently no herbicides registered for use against Calluna (CRC, 2003).
Biological Control: In New Zealand a biological control programme of heather using the heather beetle (Lochmaea suturalis) was implemented in 1990. This beetle is host specific to heather, and can cause substantial damage to plants through defoliation. Beetles were released at Tongariro National Park and surrounding areas, and at Rotorua sites from 1996 onwards. While success was initially poor at high altitude sites, by 2009 beetle populations were high and substantial damage was occurring at all release sites. Researchers expect beetle populations will continue to grow and disperse in subsequent years (Landcare Research, 2007; 2008; 2009).
Hand weeding: Ongoing hand weeding of may be an effective method of eliminating individual plants (Rogers, 1995b).
Grazing:Intense sheep grazing pressure, especially in spring will suppress new growth and flowering, and may eventually eliminate Calluna after a number of years. Large mature plants may need to be slashed first to give sheep access to new shoots. Light grazing is not effective (CRC, 2003).
Fire: Fire is not recommended as a control method. High temperature is required for seed germination in Calluna and thus may help spread the plant (CRC, 2003).
