Doveweed (Croton setiger)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Croton setiger Hook.
Common name(s):	doveweed

Map showing the present distribution of this weed.

Habitat:

Dry open spaces in semi-arid to arid regions, often close to desert borders in which the plant us found on a wide range of sandy and clay soils, especially along creek banks (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Occurs under dry conditions (Calflora 2008) Summer fallow land; waste places (Moenscher 1955). It occurs as a weed along roadsides, in cultivated fields and on rundown rangelands (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Occurs on coastal sage scrub; foothill woodlands; valley grasslands; oak woodlands (Calflora 2008). The plant is unpalatable to stock, which may be a result of its downy surface and strong, sweet but unpleasant odour (Lamp and Collett 1989).

Potential distribution

Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries

Map Overlays Used

Land Use:
Horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Coastal; heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; riparian; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; western plains woodland; alluvial plains grassland; semi-arid woodland; alluvial plains woodland; ironbark/box; chenopod shrubland; chenopod mallee; hummockgrass
mallee; lowan mallee; broombush whipstick

Colours indicate possibility of Croton setiger infesting these areas.

In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable.

Red= Very high	Orange = Medium
Yellow = High	Green = Likely

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100 cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60 cm high, but mostly 10-20 cm high, and up to 80 cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Low nuisance value. Impedes individual access; unable to walk to waterways.	ml	mh
2. Reduce tourism?	“The stems and leaves are clothed with a dense coating of forked bristly star shaped hairs, which give to the plant harshness to the touch” (Robbins et al. 1951). “A grey strongly scented annual forming low clumps 3-20 cm tall and 50-80 cm across” (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). “The minute hairy covering of the stems and leaves is irritating to many people, producing painful redness and swelling” (Weiss and Laconis 2000). - Some recreational uses effected.	mh	mh
3. Injurious to people?	“The stems and leaves are clothed with a dense coating of forked bristly star shaped hairs, which give to the plant harshness to the touch” (Robbins et al. 1951). “The minute hairy covering of the stems and leaves is irritating to many people, producing painful redness and swelling” (Weiss and Laconis 2000) - Toxic and/or causes serious allergies to humans throughout the year.	h	mh
4. Damage to cultural sites?	Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60 cm high, but mostly 10-20 cm high, and up to 80 cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Moderate visual effect.	ml	mh
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	Dry open spaces in semi-arid to arid regions, often close to desert borders in which the plant is found on a wide range of sandy and clay soils, especially along creek banks (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Occurs under dry conditions (Calflora 2008). Although Croton setiger is found growing along creek beds, it is not an aquatic species and is more commonly found on drier sites, therefore will have minimal impact on water flows. - Little or negligible impact on aesthetics or structure of site.	l	m
6. Impact water quality?	Dry open spaces in semi-arid to arid regions, often close to desert borders in which the plant is found on a wide range of sandy and clay soils, especially along creek banks (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Occurs under dry conditions (Calflora 2008). Although Croton setiger is found growing along creek beds, it is not an aquatic species and is more commonly found on drier sites, therefore will have minimal impact on water quality. - No noticeable impacts on dissolved O2 or light levels,	l	m
7. Increase soil erosion?	Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). “It does not compete directly with cereal crops (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Fibrous root system (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Low probability of large scale soil movement.	l	mh
8. Reduce biomass?	Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60cm high, but mostly 10-20cm high, and up to 80cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Growth is rapid even in very light soils, once the plant had developed past seedling stage (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Biomass may increase.	l	mh
9. Change fire regime?	“It does not burn readily” (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). No information on FEIS (2009). Not enough information, impacts on fire regime are unknown.	m	l
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Creekline Grassy Woodland (E); CMA = North Central; Bioregion = Goldfields; VH CLIMATE potential. Can reach heights of 0.3-.06 metres. It’s thick, fleshy, bristly stems branch frequently (Lamp and Collett 1989). Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60cm high, but mostly 10-20cm high, and up to 80cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Dove weed does not directly affect cropping through competition. (Lamp and Collett 1989). - Very little displacement of any indigenous species, sparse and scattered infestations.	l	h
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Grassy Dry Forest (D); CMA = North East; Bioregion = Northern Inland Slopes; VH CLIMATE potential. Can reach heights of 0.3-.06 metres. It’s thick, fleshy, bristly stems branch frequently (Lamp and Collett 1989). Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60cm high, but mostly 10-20cm high, and up to 80cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Dove weed does not directly affect cropping through competition. (Lamp and Collett 1989). - Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one strata/layer (e.g. ground cover, forbs, and shrubs).	ml	h
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Coastal Headland Scrub (LC); CMA = Glenelg Hopkins; Bioregion = Bridgewater; VH CLIMATE potential. Can reach heights of 0.3-.06 metres. It’s thick, fleshy, bristly stems branch frequently (Lamp and Collett 1989). Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60cm high, but mostly 10-20cm high, and up to 80cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Dove weed does not directly affect cropping through competition. (Lamp and Collett 1989). - Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one strata/layer (e.g. ground cover, forbs, and shrubs).	ml	h
11. Impact on structure?	Can reach heights of 0.3-.06 metres. It’s thick, fleshy, bristly stems branch frequently (Lamp and Collett 1989). Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60cm high, but mostly 10-20cm high, and up to 80cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Dove weed does not directly affect cropping through competition. (Lamp and Collett 1989). - Minor effects to 20-60% of the floral strata.	ml	mh
12. Effect on threatened flora?	Can reach heights of 0.3-.06 metres. It’s thick, fleshy, bristly stems branch frequently (Lamp and Collett 1989). Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60cm high, but mostly 10-20cm high, and up to 80cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Dove weed does not directly affect cropping through competition. (Lamp and Collett 1989). No evidence of impacts to threatened flora.	mh	l
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	Can reach heights of 0.3-.06 metres. It’s thick, fleshy, bristly stems branch frequently (Lamp and Collett 1989). Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60cm high, but mostly 10-20cm high, and up to 80cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Dove weed does not directly affect cropping through competition. (Lamp and Collett 1989). No evidence of impacts to threatened fauna.	mh	l
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	The seeds are a favourite autumn food for doves and the chukar partridge [In California] (Twisselmann 1995). The seeds are eaten by turkeys and turtle-doves (Robbins et al. 1951). - Minor effects on fauna species; minor hazard or reduction in habitat/food/shelter.	ml	mh
15. Benefits fauna?	The seeds are a favourite autumn food for doves and the chukar partridge [In California] (Twisselmann 1995). The seeds are eaten by turkeys and turtle-doves (Robbins et al. 1951). The stems and leaves contain a narcotic poison but birds and animals are not known to be poisoned by the plant. Occasionally sheep and hogs will eat the plant and as a consequence hair balls may form in the digestive tract. The cases of death from eating turkey mullein are probably due to these indigestible hair balls rather than the narcotic in the plant” (Robbins et al 1951). “When crushed, doveweed has a sweet but unpleasant odour which can make it unpleasant to livestock (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Provides some assistance in shelter for desirable species.	mh	mh
16. Injurious to fauna?	The stems and leaves contain a narcotic poison but birds and animals are not known to be poisoned by the plant. Occasionally sheep and hogs will eat the plant and as a consequence hair balls may form in the digestive tract. The cases of death from eating turkey mullein are probably due to these indigestible hair balls rather than the narcotic in the plant” (Robbins et al 1951). “When crushed, doveweed has a sweet but unpleasant odour which can make it unpleasant to livestock (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Toxic properties and/or causes allergies.	h	mh
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	“The plant is unpalatable to stock, due to its downy surface and strong, sweet but unpleasant odour when crushed. The stems and leaves contain a narcotic poison but birds and animals are not known to be poisoned by the plant. Occasionally sheep and hogs will eat the plant and as a consequence hair balls may form in the digestive tract. The cases of death from eating turkey mullein are probably due to these indigestible hair balls rather than the narcotic in the plant” (Robbins et al 1951). - Provides minimal food for pest species.	l	mh
18. Provides harbour?	Can reach heights of 0.3-.06 metres. It’s thick, fleshy, bristly stems branch frequently (Lamp and Collett 1989). Much branched stems, low and spreading habit, forming mats 20-100cm in diameter. (Moenscher 1955). A low spreading annual plant that forms prostrate mats up to 60cm high, but mostly 10-20cm high, and up to 80cm across (Lamp and Collett 1989; Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Dove weed does not directly affect cropping through competition. (Lamp and Collett 1989). - Capacity to harbour rabbits or foxes at low densities or as overnight cover.	mh	mh
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	“Doveweed does not directly affect cropping through competition. The thick mat of growth formed over the paddock constitutes an obstacle to cultivation (Lamp and Collett 1989). “Sheep avoid areas in which it occurs, thus reducing pasture productivity” (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). The stems and leaves contain a narcotic poison but birds and animals are not known to be poisoned by the plant. Occasionally sheep and hogs will eat the plant and as a consequence hair balls may form in the digestive tract. The cases of death from eating turkey mullein are probably due to these indigestible hair balls rather than the narcotic in the plant” (Robbins et al 1951). “When crushed, doveweed has a sweet but unpleasant odour which can make it unpleasant to livestock (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Minor impact on quantity of produce (e.g. <5% reduction).	ml	mh
20. Impact quality?	“Sheep avoid areas in which it occurs, thus reducing pasture productivity” (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). The stems and leaves contain a narcotic poison but birds and animals are not known to be poisoned by the plant. Occasionally sheep and hogs will eat the plant and as a consequence hair balls may form in the digestive tract. The cases of death from eating turkey mullein are probably due to these indigestible hair balls rather than the narcotic in the plant” (Robbins et al 1951). - Minor impact on quality of produce (e.g. <5% reduction).	ml	mh
21. Affect land value?	“The thick mat of growth formed over the paddock constitutes an obstacle to cultivation (Lamp and Collett 1989). “Sheep avoid areas in which it occurs, thus reducing pasture productivity” (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Decreases in land value <10%.	ml	mh
22. Change land use?	“Sheep avoid areas in which it occurs, thus reducing pasture productivity” (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). “The thick mat of growth formed over the paddock constitutes an obstacle to cultivation (Lamp and Collett 1989). “It does not compete directly with cereal crops, but may interfere with harvest to some extent…dry stems choke implements during cultivation (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). “The plant is unpalatable to stock, due to its downy surface and strong, sweet but unpleasant odour when crushed. The stems and leaves contain a narcotic poison but birds and animals are not known to be poisoned by the plant. (Robbins et al 1951). - Downgrading of the priority land use, to one with less agricultural return.	mh	mh
23. Increase harvest costs?	“The thick mat of growth formed over the paddock constitutes an obstacle to cultivation (Lamp and Collett 1989). “It does not compete directly with cereal crops, but may interfere with harvest to some extent…dry stems choke implements during cultivation (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Minor increase in cost of harvesting – slightly more time or effort may be required.	mh	mh
24. Disease host/vector?	Plant Viruses Online does not list Croton setiger as being a host to diseases/viruses (Brunt et al. 1996 onwards). - Little or no host.	l	mh

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	Germinates in spring (Lamp and Collett 1989). Seeds germinate with the first spring or early summer rains (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Requires natural seasonal disturbances such as seasonal rainfall to germinate.	mh	mh
2. Establishment requirements?	Dry open spaces in semi-arid to arid regions, often close to desert borders in which the plant us found on a wide range of sandy and clay soils, especially along creek banks (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Occurs under dry conditions (Calflora) - Requires more specific requirements to establish.	ml	mh
3. How much disturbance is required?	Summer fallow land; waste places; dry areas (Moenscher 1955). Dry open spaces in semi-arid to arid regions, often close to desert borders in which the plant us found on a wide range of sandy and clay soils, especially along creek banks. It occurs as a weed along roadsides, in cultivated fields and on rundown rangelands (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Occurs on coastal sage scrub; foothill woodlands; valley grasslands; oak woodlands (Calflora 2008). - Establishes in highly disturbed natural ecosystems or in overgrazed pastures and poorly growing crops.	ml	mh
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Annual herb (Lamp and Collett 1989). - Other.	l	ml
5. Allelopathic properties?	None described (Rice 1984). - None.	l	mh
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	“The plant is unpalatable to stock, which may be a result of its downy surface and strong, sweet but unpleasant odour. It may form hairballs in the rumen of cattle and sheep” (Lamp and Collett 1989). - Favoured by heavy grazing as not eaten by animals/insects.	h	mh
7. Normal growth rate?	Growth is rapid even in very light soils, once the plant had developed past seedling stage (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Rapid growth rate that will exceed most other species of the same life form.	h	mh
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	A native of coastal California (Lamp and Collett 1989). Elevations of between 0-6000 feet (Calflora 2008). dry areas (Moenscher 1955). Dry open spaces in semi-arid to arid regions, often close to desert borders in which the plant us found on a wide range of sandy and clay soils (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Inferring from habitat information, potential tolerance of frost, and potentially salt; unlikely to be tolerant of water logging, as commonly found on drier sites. - Tolerance to at least one, susceptible to at least two.	l	m
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	Reproducing by seeds (Moenscher 1955). - Sexual reproduction.	ml	mh
10. Number of propagules produced?	Each flower produces a single seed (Lamp and Collett 1989). Based on images of Croton setiger, an estimate for seed yield is 50-1000. - 50-1000	ml	mh
11. Propagule longevity?	Unknown	m	l
12. Reproductive period?	Annual (Moenscher 1955). - Mature plant produces viable propagules for only one year.	l	mh
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	Germinates in spring, comes to maturity over summer (Lamp and Collett 1989). Flowers are normally produced in mid to late summer but develop within a few weeks in dry years (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Reaches maturity and produces viable propagules in under a year.	h	mh
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	“The seed has no special adaptations which aid dispersal (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). [The seed] too heavy to be carried by wind, and does not pass through the digestive tract of birds. Spread, as a result is mainly water flowing over the soil surface and in mud sticking to animals, farm machinery and other vehicles, or as an impurity of farm produce (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). Seeds are a common food of the mourning dove, which may aid dispersal (Weiss and Laconis 2000) - Propagules spread by water and attachment to vehicles and possibly animals.	mh	mh
15. How far do they disperse?	“…Spread, as a result is mainly water flowing over the soil surface and in mud sticking to animals, farm machinery and other vehicles, or as an impurity of farm produce” (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). - Very likely that at least one propagule will reach greater than one kilometre.	h	mh

References

Brunt AA, Crabtree K, Dallwitz MJ, Gibbs AJ, Watson L, Zurcher EJ (eds.) (1996 onwards) Plant Viruses Online: Descriptions and Lists from the VIDE Database. Version 20th August 1996. Available at http://biology.anu.edu.au/Groups/MES/vide/ (verified 05 May 2009).

Calflora (2008) http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=9518 (verified 05 May 2009).

Lamp C and Collet F (1989) Field Guide to Weeds in Australia. Inkata Press.

Moenscher WC (1955) Weeds 2nd edition. Published by Cornell University Press, Ithaca and London.

Parsons WT and Cuthbertson EG. (2001) Noxious Weeds of Australia. 2nd Ed. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

Rice EL. (1984) Allelopathy. Academic Press, Inc. Orlando.

Robbins WW, Bellue MK, Ball WS (1951) Weeds of California. Published by California State Department of Agriculture.

Twisselman EG (1995) A Key to Vascular Plant Species of the Kern County, California. California Native Plant Society.

Weiss J, Laconis L (2000) Introduction and Biology of Doveweed. Prepared by Kevin Turnbull Research Institute.

Global present distribution data references

Australian National Herbarium (ANH) (2008) Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Diversity and Research, Available at http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/ (verified 22 May 2009).

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (2006) Flora information system [CD-ROM], Biodiversity and Natural Resources Section, Viridans Pty Ltd, Bentleigh.

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 22 May 2009).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2009) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 22 May 2009).

Department of the Environment and Heritage (Commonwealth of Australia). (1993 – On-going) Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) http://www.cpbr.gov.au/apni/index.html (verified 22 May 2009).

Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2009) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 22 May 2009).

United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. Taxonomy Query. (2009) Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 22 May 2009).

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. (2003) Census of Vascular Plants of Victoria. Available at http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/research_and_conservation/plant_information/viclist (verified 22 May 2009).

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