An overview of the first occurrences of Rhodotypos scandens in Austria

Abstract

I give an overview of the first two records of black jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens) (Rosaceae, Magnoliopsida), a native of East Asia, in Austria. The species is locally established in a deciduous forest in the eastern lowlands of Austria c. 10 km north of Vienna. The population consists of c. 1,000–2,000 specimens distributed over an area of c. 2.5 ha. The composition of the invaded vegetation has been documented by three relevés. In addition, an escaped population of 17 young specimens of Rhodotypos scandens is recorded from Vienna. Rhodotypos scandens is widely naturalized in forests of the eastern USA, where it is considered to be invasive. Recently, in several Central European countries escaped populations of Rhodotypos scandens have been documented. Thus, the future spread of this species in Europe should be monitored.