Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Lysimachia nummularia (L.)
Common name(s):	creeping Jenny

This weed is not known to be naturalised in Victoria

Habitat:

Damp situations in pastures and by the sides of streams avoiding acid soils; Marshy soil shady/ full sun (PFAF 09). Early successional forest,
floodplain forest, herbaceous wetland (MIPL 2009). Woodland borders thickets, fens, dry soils not tolerated, loamy soil (ILWF 2009). Rich woods
(NBII 2009).

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:
forestry; pasture irrigation

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
swampy scrub; freshwater wetland (permanent); treed swampy wetland; lowland forest; forby forest; damp forest; riparian; wet forest; riverine woodland/forest; freshwater wetland (ephemeral)

Colours indicate possibility of Lysimachia nummularia 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?	Creeping, low growing less than 6 inches in height (FIGA 2009). Minimal or negligible impact.	L	MH
2. Reduce tourism?	“Stems of this plant have the tendency to sprawl chaotically” (ILWF 2009). Minor affects to aesthetics and/or recreational uses (ie. aware but not bothered or activity inhibited).	ML	MH
3. Injurious to people?	No spines, burrs, thorns, tastes bitter but is eaten sometimes by animals therefore no real ill effects (ILWF 2009). No effect, no prickles, no injuries.	L	MH
4. Damage to cultural sites?	Unlikely to cause any structural effect but may have a moderate visual effect. Moderate visual effect.	ML	MH
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	They infiltrate pond side plants or those growing in a damp border (BBCG 2009). Stream banks (MIPL 2009) Grows into and under water (DVSG 2009). “Been known to choke small springs and seeps in rich woods” (NBII 2009). Likely to reduce flow. Major impact on either surface or subsurface flow (eg. Major root obstructions, submergent aquatics).	MH	M
6. Impact water quality?	Grows into and under water (DVSG 2009). Noticeable but minor effects in either dissolved O2 or light levels.	ML	MH
7. Increase soil erosion?	“excellent ground cover” BBCG (2009). Low probability of large scale soil movement, or decreases the probability of soil erosion.	L	MH
8. Reduce biomass?	Maximum 6 inches tall (FIGA 2009). Moneywort often forms vegetative colonies (ILWF 2009). Important to not combine it with other low-growing species (ENCO 2009). Forms dense mats (NBII 2009). Direct replacement of biomass by invader.	ML	MH
9. Change fire regime?	Not enough information to determine possible effects on fire regime, but as it grows in moist to wet conditions and/or in water (DVSG 2009) it is unlikely to have a large effect on fire intensity or frequency. Small or negligible effect on fire risk.	L	M
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Cool Temperate Rainforest (V); CMA = Corangamite; Bioregion = Otway Ranges; VH CLIMATE potential. Fast grower; invasive/aggressive grower (FIGA 2009). Moneywort often forms vegetative colonies (ILWF 2009). Major displacement of some dominant species within a strata/layer.	MH	H
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Riverine Chenopod Woodland (R); CMA = Mallee; Bioregion = Robinvale Plains; VH CLIMATE potential. Fast grower; invasive/aggressive grower (FIGA 2009). Moneywort often forms vegetative colonies (ILWF 2009). Major displacement of some dominant species within a strata/layer.	MH	H
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Damp Forest (LC); CMA = West Gippsland; Bioregion =Highlands Southern Fall; VH CLIMATE potential. Fast grower; invasive/aggressive grower (FIGA 2009). Moneywort often forms vegetative colonies (ILWF 2009). Major displacement of some dominant species within a strata/layer.	MH	H
11. Impact on structure?	Fast grower; invasive/aggressive grower (FIGA 2009). Moneywort often forms vegetative colonies (ILWF 2009). Minor effect on >60% of the layers or major effect on <60% of the floral strata.	MH	MH
12. Effect on threatened flora?	Moneywort often forms vegetative colonies (ILWF 2009). Important to not combine it with other low-growing species (ENCO 2009). Forms dense mats (NBII 2009). No specific information but some threatened low-growing species may have population reductions when growing in the same habitat. Any population of a VROT spp is reduced.	ML	M
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	The bitter tasting foliage of moneywort is not a preferred food source for mammalian herbivores, although rabbits and groundhogs may eat it occasionally (ILWF 2009). Growing less than 6 inches in height (FIGA 2009). May reduce food supply. No information for threatened fauna. Minor reduction in habitat/food/ shelter.	ML	M
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	The bitter tasting foliage of moneywort is not a preferred food source for mammalian herbivores, although rabbits and groundhogs may eat it occasionally (ILWF 2009). Growing less than 6 inches in height (FIGA 2009). May reduce food supply. Minor reduction in habitat/food/ shelter.	ML	MH
15. Benefits fauna?	Provides no nectar - but floral oil for bees for their bee-grubs…..the bitter tasting foliage of moneywort is not a preferred food source for mammalian herbivores, although rabbits and groundhogs may eat it occasionally (ILWF 2009). “Fish and frogs hide in it (DVSG 2009). There are many desirable frog species.	M	MH
16. Injurious to fauna?	6 inches high maximum, no spines, burrs, thorns – occasionally eaten but is bitter due to tannins etc. (ILWF 2009). No effect.	L	MH
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	The bitter tasting foliage of moneywort is not a preferred food source for mammalian herbivores, although rabbits and groundhogs may eat it occasionally (ILWF 2009). Immune to the predations of rabbits (PFAF 2009). Bud scales, mites, and woolly aphids may cause some damage (ENCO 2009). Provides minimal food for pest animals.	L	MH
18. Provides harbor?	6 inches high maximum, no spines, burrs, thorns – occasionally eaten but eaten but non-preffered - is bitter due to tannins etc. (ILWF 2009). No harbour for pest species.	L	MH
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	“Damp situations in pastures and by the sides of streams” (PFAF 2009). 6 inches high maximum, no spines, burrs, thorns – occasionally eaten but is bitter due to tannins etc. (ILWF 2009). Unlikely to impact yield.	L	MH
20. Impact quality?	“Damp situations in pastures and by the sides of streams” (PFAF 2009). Very invasive nature, which makes it important to not combine it with other low-growing species (ENCO 2009). occasionally eaten but is bitter due to tannins etc. (ILWF 2009). Has potential to reduce food availability/ quality. Minor impact on the quality of produce.	ML	MH
21. Affect land value?	Unlikely – no information. Decreases in land value <10%.	ML	L
22. Change land use?	Doesn’t become a weed in cultivated ground (AAW 2009). No change.	L	M
23. Increase harvest costs?	6 inches high maximum, no spines, burrs, thorns – occasionally eaten but non-preffered - is bitter due to tannins etc. (ILWF 2009). Very invasive nature, which makes it important to not combine it with other low-growing species (ENCO 2009). Control is likely to be necessary in order to maintain pasture quality, this would increase production costs. Minor increase in the cost of harvesting.	ML	MH
24. Disease host/vector?	Fungal leaf blight can be problematic for L. nummularia (ENCO 2009). Provides host to minor (or common) pests, or diseases.	ML	MH

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	Preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil that is not too acidic (ILWF 2009). No specific requirements for germination mentioned in literature (pers. Obs). Requires natural seasonal disturbances such as seasonal rainfall, spring/summer temperatures for germination.	MH	M
2. Establishment requirements?	Shallow water and wet ground (APPW 2009). Seeps, fens, ditches, woodland borders, thickets, moist areas of black soil pararies, cemetries and edges of yards… can occur in either natural or disturbed areas….can tolerate the shade of the taller grasses and forbs (ILWF 2009). Can establish under moderate canopy/litter cover.	MH	MH
3. How much disturbance is required?	Can occur in either natural or disturbed areas (ILWF 2009). “Early successional forest, Floodplain Forest, herbaceous wetland… (NBII 2009). Establishes in relatively intact or only minor disturbed natural ecosystems (eg. wetlands, riparian, riverine, grasslands, open woodlands); in vigorously growing crops OR in well established pastures.	MH	MH
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Herbaceous mat forming perennial (NBII 2009). Geophyte, climber or creeper.	ML	MH
5. Allelopathic properties?	None mentioned.	M	L
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	Plant not favoured by deer (LEST 2009). “You can’t pull it as the plant breaks off, roots still intact” (DVSG 2009). Consumed but non-preferred or consumed but recovers quickly; capable of flowering /seed production under moderate herbivory pressure (where moderate = normal; not overstocking or heavy grazing).	MH	MH
7. Normal growth rate?	“Rampant” (FIGA 2009). “The only problem comes from its very invasive nature, which makes it important to not combine it with other low-growing species (ENCO 2009). 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?	Avoiding acid soils (PFAF 2009). Dry soils are not tolerated (ENCO 2009). Can be found in a variety of different habitat types (NBII 2009). Tolerant to at least two and susceptible to at least one.	ML	M
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	Sexual (ILWF 2009). Dispersal by stem fragments and seed (APPW 2009). Self fertile (PFAF 2009). Vegetative reproduction (may be via cultivation, but not propagation).	MH	MH
10. Number of propagules produced?	Rarely are seed capsules produced by these flowers, when it occurs, a seed capsule is ovoid in shape and has 5 cells, each containing several closely packed seeds. Generates new stems from leaf axils and spreads in all directions (ILWF 2009). Moneywort often forms vegetative colonies (ILWF 2009). Therefore 1000 seeds could easily be produced by a vegetative colony. 1000-2000	MH	MH
11. Propagule longevity?	No information on propagule longevity.	M	L
12. Reproductive period?	Perennial (APPW 2009). Moneywort often forms vegetative colonies (ILWF 2009). Mature plant produces viable propagules for 3-10 years.	MH	M
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	No information on time to reproductive maturity.	M	L
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	Dispersal by stem fragments and seed. APPW (2009). Horticultural item (WIKI 2009). Deliberate human dispersal (propagation or planting).	ML	M
15. How far do they disperse?	“Colonies can be found in isolated places, indicating that the plant also has a mechanism to disperse vegetatively over longer distances” (NBII 2009). Few propagules will disperse greater than one kilometre but many will reach 200-1000 metres.	MH	M

References

AAW (2009) All About Weeds – Google Book Search. By Edwin Rollin Spencer, Emma Bergdolt. Available at http://books.google.com.au/books?id=qyNfpK1GJ08C&pg=PP1&dq=all+about+weeds#PPA176,M1 (verified 04/2009).

APPW (2009) Aquarium and pond plants of the world. Lysimachia. Available at http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/aquariumplants2/ (verified 04/2009).

BBCG (2009) BBC Gardening – plant finder - Lysimachia nummularia. Available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/515.shtml (verified 04/2009).

DVSG (2009) Daves Garden. Creeping Jenny. Available at http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/677/ (verified 04/2009).

ENCO (2009) Entomology.cornell.edu: Lysimachia nummularia. Available at
http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/Extension/Woodys/CUGroundCoverSite/Lysimachia%20nummilaria.html (verified 04/2009).

FIGA (2009) Fine gardening. Lysimachia nummularia. Available at http://finegardening.com/plantguide/ (verified 04/2009).

ILWF (2009) Illinois wild flowers: moneywort. Available at http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/moneywort.htm (verified 04/2009).

LEST (2009) Learning store – Plants not favoured by deer – Laura G. Jull. Available at http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/A3727.pdf

MIPL (2009) Missouriiplants: Lysimachia nummularia. Available at http://www.missouriplants.com/yellowopp/Lysimachia_nummularia-page.html (verified 04/2009).

NBII (2009). Invasive plant atlas of New England. Available at http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/icat/browse.do?SpecialId=106 (verified 04/2009).

PFAF (2009) Plants for a future. Creeping Jenny. Available at http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Lysimachia+nummularia (verified 04/2009).

WIKI (2009). Wikipedia - Lysimachia nummularia. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lysimachia_nummularia (verified 04/2009).

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 17/02/2009).

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 07/05/2009).

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 17/02/2009).

Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2009) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 07/05/2009).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2009) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (viewed 17/02/2009).

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 26/03/2009).

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