Reflexed stonecrop (Sedum reflexum)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Sedum reflexum L.
Common name(s):	reflexed stonecrop

This weed is not known to be naturalised in Victoria

Habitat:

“Species of calcareous cliffs and walls…Sedum rupestre [=reflexum]” (Dutoit et al 2003). Sedum rupestre was found in calcareous grassland by Adriaens et al (2006). “Flora and vegetation of dry sand grasslands of three large inland dunes [of which Sedum reflexum occurs in the] community further downslope” (Fisher 1998). “Sedum proved to be drought tolerant” (Monterusso et al 2005). Sedum “are found naturally in cold-winter areas of the northern hemisphere… their though roots are able to survive beneath the snow, to sprout again the following season……so long as it is well-drained” (Macoboy 1988). Sedum reflexum grows generally in well lit places but can occur in partial shade; an indicator of drier sites; mostly in moderate acid soil; occurs in extreme to less fertile sites and normally absent from saline sites (DETR 1999).

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:
Broadacre cropping; forestry; horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation; water

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; high altitude shrubland/woodland; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; western plains woodland; semi-arid woodland; hummock-grass mallee; lowan mallee; broombush whipstick

Colours indicate possibility of Sedum reflexum infesting these areas.

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

map showing the potential distribution of reflexed stonecrop

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

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	“Procumbent stems and erect fl. Stems 15-35cm” (Polunin 1969). “Perennial herb, forming loose mats; stems numerous freely matting at base” (Webb 1988). “The majority of Sedums are low-growing rockery or mat plants” (Macoboy 1988) - Minimal or negligible impact (i.e. can go anywhere).	L	MH
2. Reduce tourism?	Grows on rocky areas (Macoboy 1988) that might otherwise be bare - likely to have minor effects to aesthetics and recreational uses (i.e. aware but not bothered or activity inhibited).	ML	MH
3. Injurious to people?	Leaves with “apex sharply acute or mucronulate” (Webb et al 1988). “Leaves… spurred” (Everette and Norris 1999) - Leaves are present at all times of the year with small spines.	MH	M
4. Damage to cultural sites?	According to Biochange (2008) the habitat of sedum reflexum includes ruins and walls in the United Kingdom. “Rocks, walls” (Polunin 1969) - Moderate visual effect.	ML	M
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	“Species of calcareous cliffs and walls…Sedum rupestre [=reflexum]” (Dutoit et al 2003). “Plants discovered in the railway areas in specific regions of the Sandomierz Basin, Poland… [including] Sedum reflexum” (Swies 2006). Sedum rupestre was found in calcareous grassland by Adriaens et al (2006). “Naturalized in disturbed areas” (Everett and Norris 1999) - Does not grow in aquatic situations.	L	H
6. Impact water quality?	“Species of calcareous cliffs and walls…Sedum rupestre [=reflexum]” (Dutoit et al 2003). “Plants discovered in the railway areas in specific regions of the Sandomierz Basin, Poland… [including] Sedum reflexum” (Swies 2006). Sedum rupestre was found in calcareous grassland by Adriaens et al (2006). “Naturalized in disturbed areas” (Everett and Norris 1999) - Does not grow in aquatic situations	L	H
7. Increase soil erosion?	Listed as a ground cover for erosion control (MacKenzie 2006) – decreases the probability of soil erosion.	L	MH
8. Reduce biomass?	Forms “loose mats” (Webb 1988) and grows to stems 15-35cm” (Polunin 1969). “Species of calcareous cliffs and walls…Sedum rupestre [=reflexum]” (Dutoit et al 2003). Sedum rupestre was found in calcareous grassland by Adriaens et al (2006) - Direct replacement of biomass by invader.	ML	M
9. Change fire regime?	Sedum spp. listed as a fire-retardant ground cover (MacKenzie 2006). As it grows in dry areas and is a succulent (Weston, Eom 2008) it is likely to cause a moderate change to both frequency and intensity of fire risk.	MH	M
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Low Rises Woodland (E); CMA = Wimmera; Bioregion = Lowan Mallee; VH CLIMATE potential. Forms “loose mats” (Webb 1988) and is able to “suppress weeds” (Zeng et al 2008). It has “outperformed the other taxa except when planted in combination with grass taxa in substrate deeper than 10cm that was kept moist” (Monterusso et al 2005)	ML	M
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Grassy Dry Forest (D); CMA = North East; Bioregion = Northern Inland Slopes; VH CLIMATE potential. Forms “loose mats” (Webb 1988) and is able to “suppress weeds” (Zeng et al 2008). It has “outperformed the other taxa except when planted in combination with grass taxa in substrate deeper than 10cm that was kept moist” (Monterusso et al 2005)	ML	M
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Riparian Forest (LC); CMA = West Gippsland; Bioregion = Wilsons Promontory; VH CLIMATE potential. Forms “loose mats” (Webb 1988) and is able to “suppress weeds” (Zeng et al 2008). It has “outperformed the other taxa except when planted in combination with grass taxa in substrate deeper than 10cm that was kept moist” (Monterusso et al 2005)	ML	M
11. Impact on structure?	Forms “loose mats” (Webb 1988) and is able to “suppress weeds” (Zeng et al 2008). It has “outperformed the other taxa except when planted in combination with grass taxa in substrate deeper than 10cm that was kept moist” (Monterusso et al 2005), therefore is likely to have a minor effect on 20-60% of the floral strata.	ML	M
12. Effect on threatened flora?	Not yet known to threaten Bioregional Priority 1A or VROT spp.	MH	L
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	Not yet known to threaten Bioregional Priority or VROT spp.	MH	L
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	No information could be found.	M	L
15. Benefits fauna?	No information could be found.	M	L
16. Injurious to fauna?	Leaves with “apex sharply acute or mucronulate” (Webb et al 1988). “Leaves… spurred” (Everette and Norris 1999). -Leaves are present at all times of the year with small spines.	MH	M
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	No information could be found.	M	L
18. Provides harbor?	“Procumbent stems and erect fl. Stems 15-35cm” (Polunin 1969). “Perennial herb, forming loose mats; stems numerous freely matting at base” (Webb 1988). “The majority of Sedums are low-growing rockery or mat plants” (Macoboy 1988). Unlikely to provide harbour for pests.	L	ML
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	According to Biochange Sedum reflexum is not a weed that occurs in agriculture, horticulture, turf, nurseries, ect. elsewhere in the world (Biochange 2008) Little or negligible affect on quantity of yield.	L	M
20. Impact quality?	According to Biochange Sedum reflexum is not a weed that occurs in agriculture, horticulture, turf, nurseries, ect. elsewhere in the world (Biochange 2008) Little or negligible affect on quality of yield.	L	M
21. Affect land value?	According to Biochange Sedum reflexum is not a weed that occurs in agriculture, horticulture, turf, nurseries, ect. elsewhere in the world (Biochange 2008) As this is not a weed on productive land there is unlikely to be an affect on land prices. Little or none.	L	M
22. Change land use?	According to Biochange Sedum reflexum is not a weed that occurs in agriculture, horticulture, turf, nurseries, ect. elsewhere in the world (Biochange 2008) Land use is unlikely to change.	L	M
23. Increase harvest costs?	According to Biochange Sedum reflexum is not a weed that occurs in agriculture, horticulture, turf, nurseries, ect. elsewhere in the world (Biochange 2008) Unlikely to affect harvest cost as it is not found to be a weed of productive land.	L	M
24. Disease host/vector?	No information could be found.	M	L

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	No information could be found.	M	L
2. Establishment requirements?	“Proved to be suitable for shallow substrate green roof systems” (Monterusso et al 2005). In relation to Ellenberg’g indicator values, Sedum reflexum is a plant that is generally in well lit places but can occur in partial shade; is an indicator of drier sites; mostly indicates a moderate acid soil; occurs in extreme to less fertile sites and normally absent from saline sites (DETR 1999). Can establish under moderate canopy cover.	MH	ML
3. How much disturbance is required?	“Species of calcareous cliffs and walls…Sedum rupestre [=reflexum]” (Dutoit et al 2003). “Plants discovered in the railway areas in specific regions of the Sandomierz Basin, Poland… [including] Sedum reflexum” (Swies 2006). Sedum rupestre was found in calcareous grassland by Adriaens et al (2006). “Naturalized in disturbed areas” (Everett and Norris 1999). “Flora and vegetation of dry sand grasslands of three large inland dunes [of which Sedum reflexum occurs in the] community further downslope” (Fisher 1998). Establishes in disturbed natural ecosystems including railways.	ML	MH
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Perennial herb (Webb 1988) – other.	L	MH
5. Allelopathic properties?	No specific mention of any allelopatic properties in any literature seen. (Monterusso et al 2005; Macoboy 1988; Webb 1988; Biochange 2008; Polunin 1969). “Flora and vegetation of dry sand grasslands of three large inland dunes [of which Sedum reflexum occurs in the] community further downslope” (Fisher 1998). Unlikely to be allelopatic as it is found in a vegetation community.	L	MH
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	No information could be found.	M	L
7. Normal growth rate?	“Fast establishment, substrate coverage, and low mortality are desirable characteristics… [as well as] fast initial growth… These criteria describe all Sedum spp.” (Monterusso et al 2005). Growth rate equal to the same life form.	M	M
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	“Sedum spp. [including Sedum reflexum] outperformed the other taxa except when planted in combination with grass taxa in substrate deeper than 10cm that was kept moist… Sedum can survive severe drought because of their method of photosynthetic carbon metabolism (Crassulacean acid metabolism) and their ability to store water… Sedum proved to be drought tolerant” (Monterusso et al 2005). Sedum rupestre normally absent from saline sites (DETR 1999). Sedum “are found naturally in cold-winter areas of the northern hemisphere; and when really cold weather kills the succulent foliage, their though roots are able to survive beneath the snow, to sprout again the following season…Grown best in a well-prepared soil…so long as it is well-drained” (Macoboy 1988). Highly tolerant to drought and frost. Most likely intolerant to salinity and water logging.	MH	M
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	According to Biochange (2008), reproduction is by seed and vegetatively. Both vegetative and sexual reproduction.	H	M
10. Number of propagules produced?	No information could be found.	M	L
11. Propagule longevity?	According to Biochange (2008), the seed bank type is “transient seed bank with seeds that persist in the soil for less than one year” and vegetatively reproduces. Survives less than one year but reproduces vegetatively.	L	M
12. Reproductive period?	No information could be found.	M	L
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	No information could be found.	M	L
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	“Plants discovered in the railway areas in specific regions of the Sandomierz Basin, Poland… [including] Sedum reflexum” (Swies 2006). Could potentially spread by attachment to trains along rail network.	MH	M
15. How far do they disperse?	“Plants discovered in the railway areas in specific regions of the Sandomierz Basin, Poland… [including] Sedum reflexum” (Swies 2006). If dispersed by the rail network it could be dispersed greater than one kilometre.	H	M

References

Adriaens D, Honnay O, Hermy M (2006) No evidence of a plant extinction debt in highly fragmented calcareous grasslands in Belgium. Biological conservation 133, 212-224

Biochange (2008) Sedum rupestre L. Available at http://www.biochange.ie/alienplants/result_options.php?species=323&families=Crassulaceae&blz=1&p=i (verified 03 December 2008)

Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions, UK (DETR) (1999) ECOFACT. DETR under licence from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. Available at http://www.ceh.ac.uk/products/publications/documents/ECOFACT2a.pdf (verified 03 December 2008)

Dutoit T, Buisson E, Roche P, Alard D (2003) Land use history and botanical changes in the calcareous hillsides of Upper-Normandy (north-western France): new implications for their conservation management. Biological Conservation 115, 1-19.

Everett J & Norris EH (1999) Sedum rupestre L. Available at http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Sedum~rupestre (verified 03 December 2008)

Fischer P (1998) Dry sand grasslands on inland dunes in the Lower-Middle Elbe Valley between Domitz and Boizenburg. Tuexenia 18, 119-151

Macoboy S (1988) What flower is that? Lansdowne Press, Sydney.

MacKenzie DS (2006) Timber Press Pocket Guide to Ground Covers. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.

Monterusso MA, Rowe DB, Rugh CL (2005) Establishment and Persistence of Sedum spp. and Native Taxa for Green Roof Applications. HortScience 40, 391-396

Polunin O (1969) Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, London.

Swies F & Majkut A (2006) Rare vascular plants of the railway areas in specific regions of the Sandomierz Basin. Part 1. Vistula Lowland, northern part. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skodowska 61, 19-43

Webb CJ, Sykes WR, Garnock-Jones PJ (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Botany Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Christchurch, New Zealand.

Weston LA, Eom SH (2008) Utilization of stress tolerant, weed suppressive groundcovers. Pp. 348-360. In: Zeng RS, Mallik AU, Luo SM (2008) Allelopathy in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry. Springer.

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 05 December 2008).

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 05 December 2008).

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