Invasive alien woody plants of the Orange Free State

Abstract

The frequency and abundance of invasive alien woody plants were recorded along roadsides and at watercourse crossings in 66% (151/230) of the quarter degree squares in the study area. The survey yielded 64 species of which the most prominent (in order of prominence) in streambank habitats were:  Salix babylonica, Populus x  canescens, Acacia dealbata and  Salix fragilis (fide R.D. Meikle pers. comm ). The most prominent species (in order of prominence) in roadside and veld habitats were:  Opunlia ficus-indica, Prunus persica, Eucalyptus spp..  Rosa eglanteria, Pyracantha angustifolia and Acacia dealbata.Little invasion was recorded for most of the province. The greatest intensity of invasion was recorded along the perennial rivers and rocky hillsides in the moist grassland of the eastern mountain region bordering on Lesotho and Natal.