Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Achillea ptarmica L.
Common name(s):	sneezewort, sneezeweed

This weed is not known to be naturalised in Victoria

Habitat:

Native to Eurasia, naturalised around the world. Occurs on floodplains (Jansen et al 2005), damp grassland (Andersson 1999), alluvial meadows (Grevilliot et al 1998), roadsides, disturbed sites, open fields and pastures (FNA 2008), boreal tall-herb communities of humid depressions; boreal river bank tall-herb communities; Atlantic tufted hairgrass meadows; Pre-Carpathian purple moorgrass-pedunculate oak forests (EEA 2008), wetlands (TWT 2007), and shores. Also on crop land, “ditch banks and grasses” (Mukula et al 1969), spring cereal crops (Mukula et al 1969). Soils; neutral, calcareous (TWT 2007), sand, gravel, silt (FNA 2008), acidic, damp to wet, infertile, non-saline (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; horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Grassy/heathy dry forest; swampy scrub; freshwater wetland (permanent); treed swampy wetland; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; damp forest; riparian; high altitude wetland; alpine treeless; granitic hillslopes; basalt grassland; semi-arid woodland; riverine woodland/forest; freshwater wetland (ephemeral)

Colours indicate possibility of Achillea ptarmica 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 achillea ptarmica

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

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	30 – 60+ cm (FNA 2008) – negligible impact	l	m
2. Reduce tourism?	White flowers and grows to 60 cm (FNA 2008) – Weeds not obvious to the ‘average’ visitor	L	m
3. Injurious to people?	Edible (Dimitri, Orfila 1981), however it is likely to affect hay fever sufferers (Sunny Gardens 2008) - Mildly toxic, may cause some physiological issues	ml	ml
4. Damage to cultural sites?	30 – 60+ cm (FNA 2008), not known to have destructive roots – Little or negligible effect on aesthetics or structure of site.	L	m
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	Terrestrial (FNA 2008) – Little or negligible affect on water flow.	L	m
6. Impact water quality?	Leaves dead stalks in winter (Huttenen 2003) and up to 56% of litter was found to decompose in one year (Tormala, Eloranta 1982). Atmospheric CO2 and CH4 fluxes were associated with the occurrence of A. ptarmica (Maljanen et al 2001) – Noticeable but minor effects in dissolved 0₂	ml	mh
7. Increase soil erosion?	As E. ptarmica grows in a “Clonal patch > 1000 mm in diameter” (Shaojun et al 2001) and leaves dead stalks in winter (Huttenen 2003) there is moderate probability of large scale soil movement.	ml	mh
8. Reduce biomass?	It is deciduous and grows in pastures and fields (FNA 2008) – Biomass slightly decreased.	mh	m
9. Change fire regime?	Occurs on open fields and pastures (FNA 2008), leaves dead stalks in winter (Huttenen 2003) and up to 56% of litter was found to decompose in one year (Tormala, Eloranta 1982). However it is a “fire retardant” plant (Sunny Gardens 2008) and so would greatly change the frequency and intensity of fires.	h	m
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Herb-rich Fotthill Forest (V); CMA = Corangamite; Bioregion = Warnambool Plain; H CLIMATE potential. Found in open, cleared habitats on moister soil and along shores. On crop land this species grows especially along ditch banks and in grasses” (Mukula et al 1969). In its native range it is a “characteristic species” of alluvial meadows that are dominated by grasses, but disappears when these are fertilized (Grevilliot et al 1998) – major displacement of some dominant spp. within a strata/layer	mh	mh
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Riverine Escarpment Scrub (R); CMA = East Gippsland; Bioregion = Highlands – Southern Fall; H CLIMATE potential. Found in open, cleared habitats on moister soil and along shores. On crop land this species grows especially along ditch banks and in grasses” (Mukula et al 1969). In its native range it is a “characteristic species” of alluvial meadows that are dominated by grasses, but disappears when these are fertilized (Grevilliot et al 1998) – major displacement of some dominant spp. within a strata/layer	mh	mh
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Tableland Damp Forest (LC); CMA = East Gippsland; Bioregion = Monaro Tablelands; H CLIMATE potential. Found in open, cleared habitats on moister soil and along shores. On crop land this species grows especially along ditch banks and in grasses” (Mukula et al 1969). In its native range it is a “characteristic species” of alluvial meadows that are dominated by grasses, but disappears when these are fertilized (Grevilliot et al 1998) – major displacement of some dominant spp. within a strata/layer	mh	mh
11. Impact on structure?	It grows in a “Clonal patch > 1000 mm in diameter” (Shaojun et al 2001) and is dominant in an abandoned field in Finland (Tormala, Eloranta 1982). It is likely to change soil nutrient levels as up to 56% of litter was found to decompose in one year (Tormala, Eloranta 1982) – Major effect on < 60% of the floral strata.	mh	mh
12. Effect on threatened flora?	It grows in a “Clonal patch > 1000 mm in diameter” (Shaojun et al 2001) and is dominant in an abandoned field in Finland (Tormala, Eloranta 1982). Therefore it is likely to change vegetation structure, however effects on VROT spp. and Priority 1A spp. is not yet determined	mh	l
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	It grows in a “Clonal patch > 1000 mm in diameter” (Shaojun et al 2001) and is dominant in an abandoned field in Finland (Tormala, Eloranta 1982). Therefore it is likely to change habitat, however effects on VROT spp. and Bioregional Priority spp. is not yet determined	mh	l
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	It grows in a “Clonal patch > 1000 mm in diameter” (Shaojun et al 2001) and is dominant in an abandoned field in Finland (Tormala, Eloranta 1982). Therefore it is likely to reduce habitat for fauna spp., leading to reduction in numbers of individuals, but NOT to local extinction.	mh	mh
15. Benefits fauna?	As it does not appear to be highly palatable (Huhta, Rautio 2005) and is a deciduous plant to 60 cm (FNA 2008) it is likely to provide very little support to desirable spp.	h	m
16. Injurious to fauna?	It is not documented as being injurious to fauna however it is likely to affect hay fever sufferers in humans (Sunny Gardens 2008) and so may be an irritant to some animals – may cause fauna to lose condition	ml	ml
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	“Flowers of A. ptarmica are self-sterile and dependent on insect visitors (syrphid flies) to set fruit” (Andersson 1999) – Likely to provide food for European bees (minor pest)	ml	h
18. Provides harbor?	Deciduous plant to 60 cm (FNA 2008) – Capacity to harbor rabbits or foxes at low densities or as overnight cover.	mh	m
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	Was found to increase in various crops grown in Norway between 1950 and 1970 (Stuanes 1972) and occurs frequently in spring cereal crops in Finland (Mukula et al 1969) – may have a major impact on quantity of produce (e.g. 5-20%).	mh	mh
20. Impact quality?	“This species grew most abundantly in wet fields with an open ditched drainage system, and in humus soil. The most common crop on such fields was timothy. The species survived ploughing and appeared in abundance in spring cereal crops, usually oats, grown after a timothy ley.” (Mukula et al 1969) – may have a major impact on quality of produce (e.g. 5-20%).	mh	h
21. Affect land value?	Has “weak regrowth in competitive crops after burial by tillage.” (Hakansson 2003) - little or no affect on land value	l	mh
22. Change land use?	Has “weak regrowth in competitive crops after burial by tillage.” However “tolerate[s] the joint effects of competition and annual cutting and can therefore increase on ground where they are able to overcome their weaknesses in early growth. They thus regrow efficiently after cutting, which leaves their underground structures undisturbed. Several species can therefore produce vigorous plants in leys, particularly in older ones” (Hakansson 2003) – this may result in a need to change to tillage crops rather than pasture - Downgrading of the priority land use, to one with either less agricultural return.	mh	mh
23. Increase harvest costs?	Was found to increase in various crops grown in Norway between 1950 and 1970 (Stuanes 1972) and occurs frequently in spring cereal crops in Finland (Mukula et al 1969), however this is not likely to increase harvest costs	l	mh
24. Disease host/vector?	A host to Pseudomonas savastonoi (E. F. Sm.) Stevens, which has been found to grow on cucumber and tomato plants (Ark 1964). This bacterium causes the disease “olive knot” in olive trees (Olive Oil Source 2008). Host plant of Chrysanthemum stunt virus (Brierley 1950). Found to possess the fungi arbuscular mycorrhiza in traditional managed grasslands in Norway (Eriksen et al 2002) Crown gall affects A. ptarmica however “the affected plants did not seem to have suffered serious injury from the disease and when observed a year after the plants were thrifty.” Crown gall is known to occur on tomato and sunflower (Ark 1951). It also occurs on stone fruit and ornamentals and “causes greatest financial loss in the nursery... In nurseries there have been losses of up to 80% of plants.” There is no cure for infected plants (NSW DPI 2005) – host to major and severe disease or pest of important agricultural produce	h	mh

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	“Germination of Achillea species is improved by exposure to light” (UAA 2005), germinates in 4-6 days (in cultivation) and needs humid, warm conditions to germinate (Stevens et al 1993) – natural seasonal disturbances	mh	m
2. Establishment requirements?	Said to be “Not shade tolerant” (UAA 2005), however habitat types populated by A. ptarmica are listed as – Boreal tall-herb communities of humid depressions; boreal river bank tall-herb communities dominated by Filipendula; Atlantic tufted hairgrass meadows; Pre-Carpathian purple moorgrass-pedunculate oak forests (EEA 2008) – can establish under moderate cover	mh	m
3. How much disturbance is required?	“Found in open, cleared habitats on moister soil and along shores. On crop land this species grows especially along ditch banks and in grasses” (Mukula et al 1969). In its native range it is a “characteristic species” of alluvial meadows that are dominated by grasses, but disappears when these are fertilized (Grevilliot et al 1998) – establishes in minor disturbed ecosystems (e.g. grasslands and riparian)	mh	h
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Creeping perennial with rhizomes that are “efficient perennating structures” (Hakansson 2003) – creeping geophyte	ml	mh
5. Allelopathic properties?	None mentioned in the literature (Mukula et al 1969; Andersson 1993)	l	mh
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	Found rooted in cattle dung (Welch 1985) and occurs as an abundant species in grazed and mown semi-natural meadows (Huhta, Rautio 2005) – consumed but not preferred	mh	h
7. Normal growth rate?	Showed a moderately-high growth rate (Loveys et al 2002) - Moderately rapid growth that will equal competitive species of the same life form	mh	h
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	A. ptarmica has “relatively high flood-tolerance” (Jansen et al 2005) and “cannot survive when the groundwater is too deep (water table below 1m in early spring) to meet their needs (Grevilliot et al 1998) “fire retardant and somewhat drought-tolerant” (Sunny Gardens 2008) “Absent from saline sites” (DETR 1999) “not frost tender” (PFAF 2008) Tolerant to waterlogging, fire and frost, slightly tolerant to drought, intolerant to salinity.	mh	m
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	“self-incompatible clonal plant” (Andersson 1993) – both vegetative and sexual reproduction	h	h
10. Number of propagules produced?	Over 2000 seeds per plant (from image) (UAA 2005)	h	ml
11. Propagule longevity?	“persistence time in soil less than 1 yr” (Shaojun et al 2001)	l	h
12. Reproductive period?	Perrenial (Mukula et al 1969) - Mature plant produces viable propagules for 3–10 years	mh	m
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	Flowers in the first year (Zizzo et al 1994)	h	h
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	Found rooted in cattle dung (Welch 1985). Can be dispersed by cultivation, however grows back slowly (Hakansson 2003) – animals and accidental human dispersal	mh	h
15. How far do they disperse?	“Seeds lack pappus and are not dispersed long distance” (UAA 2005), however plants are found rooted in cattle dung (Welch 1985) – very likely that at least one propagule will disperse greater than one kilometre	h	h

References

Andersson S (1999) The cost of floral attractants in Achillea ptarmica (Asteraceae): Evidence from a ray removal experiment. Plant Biology 1, 569-572

Andersson S (1993) The potential for selective seed maturation in Achillea ptarmica (Asteraceae). Oikos 66, 36-42

Ark PA (1964) Pathogenicity of Pseudomonas savastonoi to herbaceous plants. Phytopathology 54(10), 1295-1296

Ark, PA (1951) Occurrence of crown gall on yarrow. Plant Disease Reporter 35, 42

Brierley, P (1950) Some host plants of Chrysanthemum stunt virus. Phytopathology 40(9), 869

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 18 November 2008)

Dimitri JM, Orfila NE (1981) New contributions to the knowledge of wild and cultivated plants of the Falkland Islands. Anales de la Sociedad Cientifica 209/210(1/4), 11-56

European Environment Agency (EEA) (2008) Achillea ptarmica. Available athttp://eunis.eea.europa.eu/species-factsheet.jsp?tab=9&idSpecies=154799&idSpeciesLink=154799 (verified 11 July 2008)

Eriksen M, Bjureke KE, Dhillion SS (2002) Mycorrhizal plants of traditionally managed boreal grasslands in Norway. Mycorrhiza 12(3), 117-123

Flora of North America (FNA) (2008) Achillea ptarmica. Available at http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250066004 (verified 8 July 2008)

Frenot Y, Chown SL, Whinam J, Selkirk PM, Convey P, Skotnicki M, Bergstrom DM (2005) Biological invasions in the Antarctic: extent, impacts and implications. Biological Review 80, 45-72. Available at http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=275546 (verified 15 July 2008)

Fyske H (1983) Investigations on Achillea millefolium L. and Achillea ptarmica L. Meldinger fra Norges Landbrukshgskole 62(2), 1-16

Grivilliot F, Krebs L, Muller S (1998) Comparative importance and interference of hydrological conditions and soil nutrient gradients in floristic biodiversity in flood meadows. Biodiversity and Conservation 7, 1495-1520

Hakansson S (2003) Weeds and Weed Management on Arable Land: An Ecological Approach. CABI Publishing

Huhta AP, Rautio P (2005) Condition of semi-natural meadows in northern Finland today – do the classical vegetation types still exist? Annales Botanici Fennici 42(2), 81-93. Available at http://www.sekj.org/PDF/anb42-free/anb42-081.pdf (verified 18 July 2008)

Huttunen MA ed (2003) Winter ecology 2003; field course in winter ecology 24.-28.2.2003 at Mekrijarvi Research Station. University of Joensuu, Available at
http://www.joensuu.fi/biologia/kurssit/winter/w2003.pdf (verified 23 July 2008)

Jansen C, Van de Steeg HM, de Kroon H (2005) Investigating a trade-off in root morphological responses to a heterogeneous nutrient supply and to flooding. Functional Ecology 19, 952-960

Loveys BR, Scheurwater I, Pons TL, Fitter AH, Atkin OK (2002) Growth temperature influences the underlying components of relative growth rate: an investigation using inherently fast- and slow-growing plant species. Plant, Cell and Environment 25, 975-987

Maljanen M, Hytonen J, Martikainen PJ (2001) Fluxes of N2O, CH4 and CO2 on afforested boreal agricultural soils. Plant and Soil 231, 113-121

Mukula J, Raatikainen M, Lallukka R, Raatikainen T (1969) Composition of weed flora in spring cereals in Finland. Annales Agriculturae Fenniae 8, 59-110

NSW Department of Primary Industries (2005) Crown gall of plants. State of New South Wales. Available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/pests-diseaseshort/multiple/crown-gall-of-plants (verified 19 November 2008)

Olive Oil Source (2008) Online Olive Oil Encyclopaedia. Available at http://www.oliveoilsource.com/scripts/dictionary.asp?p_do=item&p_id=445 (verified 18 November 2008)

Plants for a Future (PFAF) Achillea ptarmica, Sneeze-Wort. Available at http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Achillea+ptarmica (verified 18 November 2008)

Randall RP (2007) The introduced flora of Australia and its weed status. CRC for Australian Weed Management

Stevens S, Stevens AB, Gast KLB, O’Mara JA, Tisserat N, Bauernfeind R (1993) Commercial speciality cut flower production; Achillea (yarrows). Kansas State University,Manhattan, Kansas. Available at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf1069.pdf (verified 16 July 2008)

Stuanes A (1972) Long-term changes in weed flora. Norsk Landbruk 4, 3-8

Sunny Gardens (2008) Achillea ptarmica. Available at http://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/achillea/achillea_3044.php (verified 18 November 2008)

Tormala T, Eloranta A (1982) Decomposition of dead plant material in an abandoned field in Central Finland. Annales Botanici Fennici 19(1), 31-38

The Wildlife Trust (TWT) (2007) Bedfordshire and Luton County Wildlife Sites; selection guidelines. Available at http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/bedsbionet/brmc/docs/CWS_selection_guidelines.PDF (verified 16 July 2008)

University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) (2005) Non native plant species of Alaska; Sneezewort. Available at http://akweeds.uaa.alaska.edu/pdfs/species_bios_pdfs/Species_bios_ACPT.pdf (verified 15 July 2008)

Welch D (1985) Studies in the Grazing of Heather Moorland In North-East Scotland. IV. Seed Dispersal and Plant Establishment in Dung. The Journal of Applied Ecology 22(2), 461-472

Xiong S, Nilsson C, Johansson ME, Jansson R (2001) Responses of Riparian Plants to Accumulation of Silt and Plant Litter: The Importance of Plant Traits. Journal of Vegetation Science 12(4), 481-490

Zizzo GV, Roxas UA, Agnello S (1994) Response of three Achillea species to two planting densities. Colture Protette 23(6), 71-76

Global present distribution data references

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2008) w3TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 18 July 2008).

European Environment Agency (2008) Species factsheet for Achillea ptarmica. Available at http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/speciesfactsheet.jsp?tab=10&idSpecies=154799&idSpeciesLink=null (verified 18 July 2008)

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