Tournefort’s gundelia (Gundelia tournefortii)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Gundelia tournefortii L.
Common name(s):	tournefort’s gundelia

This weed is not known to be naturalised in Victoria

Habitat:

Prefers light to medium well drained but moist soils, dislikes shady conditions. ‘Prefers a sandy peaty soil’ Can grow up to 3000 m elevation on plains and mountains (PFAF undated). Grows in batha, shrub-steppe, in Mediterranean woodland and shrubland, semi steppe shrublands, shrub steppe, montane vegetation (MODZ 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:
Broadacre cropping; horticulture perennial; pasture dryland

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Coastal; heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; wet forest; high altitude shrubland/woodland; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; alluvial plains woodland; ironbark/box

Colours indicate possibility of Gundelia tournefortii 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?	A spiny perennial, grows to 35cm tall, may reach 50cm (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999; PFAF undated). At a height of 50cm, this plant may block access for human traffic, although vehicle access should not be greatly impacted. - Low nuisance value. Impedes individual access; unable to walk to waterways.	ML	M
2. Reduce tourism?	Growing to 35-50cm tall (PFAF undated; Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999). G. tournefortii will significantly impact tourism. Small shrubs are covered in spiny leaves and are potentially dangerous to humans, and will be noticeable amongst native vegetation. ‘…later in the season, they [dried mature plant material] become detached from the root, and disperse their fruits as they are rolled by the wind over large distances (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999) - Some recreational uses affected.	MH	M
3. Injurious to people?	Flowers, leaves roots, seeds and stems are all edible (Coruh et al 2007). Consumption unlikely to cause injuries. ‘A spiny herb’ (Owies 2004; Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999) The lobed leaves are characterised by their spines (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999). - Spines and burrs at most times of year.	MH	MH
4. Damage to cultural sites?	Growing to 35 cm tall (PFAF undated). Inferring from pictures at MODZ 2009, G. tournefortii will significantly impact tourism. Small shrubs are covered in spiny leaves and are potentially dangerous to humans, and will be noticeable against native vegetation. ‘…later in the season, they [dried mature plant material] become detached from the root, and disperse their fruits as they are rolled by the wind over large distances (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999). No evidence of clumping, but dried plant material may cause negative visual impacts. - Moderate visual effect.	ML	MH
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	G. tournefortii does not commonly grow in riparian zones, therefore is unlikely to have an impact on water flow. - Little or negligible affect on water flow.	L	M
6. Impact water quality?	G. tournefortii does not commonly grow in riparian zones, therefore is unlikely to have an impact on water quality. - No noticeable effect on dissolved O2 or light levels.	L	M
7. Increase soil erosion?	‘…later in the season, they [dried mature plant material] become detached from the root…” (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999). Dried material is blown away by wind, but the bud and roots stay in the soil. - Moderate probability of large scale soil movement.	ML	M
8. Reduce biomass?	A hemicryptophyte species (MODZ 2009; Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999), meaning that when faced with undesirable conditions, aerial parts of the plant will die back, leaving only buds (Allaby 2006). ‘Upon maturation, above ground parts of the plant dry and later in the season they become detached from the root (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999). This may cause a seasonal reduction in biomass.	MH	MH
9. Change fire regime?	Upon maturation, above ground parts of the plant dry, and later in the season they become detached from the root (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999). Grows in batha, shrub-steppe, in Mediterranean woodland and shrubland, semi steppe shrublands, shrub steppe, montane vegetation (MODZ 2009). Dry plant material may increase fuel load and increase likelihood of fire. - Minor change to intensity of fire risk.	ML	M
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	Climate modelling predicts that this species is not likely to establish as a weedy species in Victoria. No impact on EVCs in Victoria.	L	MH
(b) medium value EVC	Climate modelling predicts that this species is not likely to establish as a weedy species in Victoria. No impact on EVCs in Victoria.	L	MH
(c) low value EVC	Climate modelling predicts that this species is not likely to establish as a weedy species in Victoria. No impact on EVCs in Victoria.	L	MH
11. Impact on structure?	A spiny herb (Owies 2004), growing to 35 cm tall. Dislikes shady conditions (PFAF undated). - Minor or negligible effect on <20% of the floral strata/layers present; usually only affecting one of the strata.	L	M
12. Effect on threatened flora?	A spiny herb (Owies 2004), growing to 35 cm tall. Dislikes shady conditions. Prefers light to medium well drained but moist soils, dislikes shady conditions (PFAF undated). Grows in batha, shrub-steppe, in Mediterranean woodland and shrubland, semi steppe shrublands, shrub steppe, montane vegetation (MODZ 2009). Impacts to threatened flora are unknown, however are unlikely to cause severe damage, as this species needs bare open ground to establish and will be out-shaded by taller species.	MH	L
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	A spiny herb (Owies 2004), growing to 35 cm tall. Prefers light to medium well drained but moist soils, dislikes shady conditions (PFAF undated). Grows in batha, shrub-steppe, in Mediterranean woodland and shrubland, semi steppe shrublands, shrub steppe, montane vegetation (MODZ 2009). Impacts to threatened flora are unknown, but impact is unlikely to be high. Spines may cause some damage, but palatability of Gundelia suggests it will not harm animals if consumed. Taller species will shade out Gundelia so habitat loss for fauna is likely to be minimal.	MH	L
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	A spiny herb (Owies 2004), growing to 35 cm tall. Prefers light to medium well drained but moist soils, dislikes shady conditions (PFAF undated). Grows in batha, shrub-steppe, in Mediterranean woodland and shrubland, semi steppe shrublands, shrub steppe, montane vegetation (MODZ 2009) - No fauna affected due to fauna not co-existing within weed area or strata.	L	M
15. Benefits fauna?	‘Tumbleweed (G. tournefortii) seems to have potential as a forage crop’ (Karabulut et al. 2006). - May provide some assistance in either food or shelter to desirable species.	MH	H
16. Injurious to fauna?	A spiny herb (Owies 2004), growing to 35 cm tall (PFAF undated). Tumbleweed (G. tournefortii) seems to have potential as a forage crop’ (Karabulut et al. 2006). It is often used as fodder for camels (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999). Spines may cause some damage but consumption of this species is unlikely to cause any negative effects. - Spines present at certain times of the year.	MH	H
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	‘Tumbleweed (G. tournefortii) seems to have potential as a forage crop’ (Karabulut et al. 2006). Achenes of this species contain edible seeds. It is often used as fodder for camels(Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999) - May potentially provide food for minor pest species.	ML	MH
18. Provides harbour?	A spiny herb (Owies 2004), growing to 35 cm tall (PFAF undated). The small size of this species means it is unlikely to provide harbour for large pest species. Spiny leaves may also make it difficult for any species to seek shelter under/in this plant. - No harbour for pest species.	L	MH
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	Tumbleweed (G. tournefortii) seems to have potential as a forage crop’ (Karabulut et al. 2006). ‘The decline in G. tournefortii populations caused by an increased demand…’ (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999). There is no evidence that G. tournefortii is an agricultural contaminant, and it is commonly consumed, which is keeping infestations under control. - Minimal impact on quantity of yield.	L	MH
20. Impact quality?	Tumbleweed (G. tournefortii) seems to have potential as a forage crop’ (Karabulut et al. 2006). ‘The decline in G. tournefortii populations caused by an increased demand…’ (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999). There is no evidence that G. tournefortii is an agricultural contaminant, and it is commonly consumed, which is keeping infestations under control. It is unlikely to impact the quality of agriculture. - Little or negligible impact on quantity of yield.	L	MH
21. Affect land value?	Tumbleweed (G. tournefortii) seems to have potential as a forage crop’ (Karabulut et al. 2006). G. tournefortii ‘could provide a source of income to many small farmers in a rather low investment. It is known as a valuable crop in regions with Mediterranean climates (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999; Flowers in Israel; Wright 2001). Land value is unlikely to decrease in the presence of this weed in those regions, however there is no evidence to suggest that in other climates it will decrease land value. - Little or none.	L	MH
22. Change land use?	A perennial herb growing to 40 cm tall (PFAF undated). Tumbleweed (G. tournefortii) seems to have potential as a forage crop’ (Karabulut et al. 2006). G. tournefortii is known as a valuable crop in regions with Mediterranean climates (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999; Flowers in Israel; Wright 2001). There is no evidence that G. tournefortii is an agricultural contaminant, and it is commonly consumed, which is keeping infestations under control. Land uses will not be greatly changed by this weed. -Little or no change.	L	MH
23. Increase harvest costs?	A perennial herb growing to 40 cm tall (PFAF undated).G. tournefortii seems to have potential as a forage crop’ (Karabulut et al. 2006). G. tournefortii ‘could provide a source of income to many small farmers in a rather low investment’ (Economic Plants). In some countries Gundelia is a considered to be of economic importance. It is unlikely that it would be removed from these areas. Gundelia is picked by hand in many middle eastern countries (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999) which means reduced costs (apart from transport), but would be more time consuming than mechanical harvesting methods. Removing unwanted underground and low to the ground plant material may also be time consuming. - Minor increase in cost of harvesting, slightly more time might be required.	ML	MH
24. Disease host/vector?	No evidence to suggest that G. tournefortii is a host/vector for disease.	L	L

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	Prefers light to medium well drained but moist soils, dislikes shady conditions. ‘Prefers a sandy peaty soil’. Sow seeds in spring in a cold frame (PFAF undated) - Requires natural seasonal disturbances such as seasonal rain, summer/spring temperatures for germination.	MH	M
2. Establishment requirements?	Dislikes shady conditions (PFAF undated). Grows in batha, shrub-steppe, in Mediterranean woodland and shrubland, semi steppe shrublands, shrub steppe, montane vegetation (MODZ 2009). - Requires mores specific requirements to establish (e.g. open space or bare ground with access to direct sunlight).	ML	M
3. How much disturbance is required?	Grows in batha, shrub-steppe, in Mediterranean woodland and shrubland, semi steppe shrublands, shrub steppe, montane vegetation (MODZ 2009). - Establishes in relatively intact or only minor disturbed natural ecosystems.	MH	M
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Herb (Owies 2004) - Other.	L	MH
5. Allelopathic properties?	None described in Rice (1984). - None.	L	M
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	‘… [if] harvested at the proper stage of maturity offers considerable potential as a high quality forage for ruminant during winter feeding period’ (Kamalak et al. 2005). ‘Seems to have potential as a forage crop’ (Karabulut et al. 2006). ‘Some gather these plants in the wild for culinary purposes’ (MODZ 2009). ‘Gundelia tournefortii is an important food source … in Eastern Anatolia’ (Coruh et al. 2007). - Consumed and recovers slowly. Reproduction strongly inhibited by herbivory but still capable of vegetative propagule production; weed may still persist.	ML	MH
7. Normal growth rate?	‘As hemicryptophytes, G. tournefortii plants have a thick perennial rootstock from which new growth arises each season (A’kub). - Growth rate unknown, but estimated to be moderate.	M	M
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	Requires moist but well drained soils - indication of intolerance to extreme water logging. ‘Sow seeds in spring in a cold frame’ - indication of sensitivity to cold temperatures. Can grow up to 3000 m elevation on plains and mountains (PFAF undated). - Maybe tolerant of one stress, susceptible to at least two.	L	M
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	Via both seed and division (PFAF undated). - Both vegetative and sexual reproduction.	H	M
10. Number of propagules produced?	‘Each capitulum contains just a single fertile achene’ (Erclyes et al. 1989). An estimate of propagule yield would be relatively high, when referring to image of G. tournefortii in bloom (MODZ 2009). - Estimated 50-1000	ML	MH
11. Propagule longevity?	Unknown.	M	L
12. Reproductive period?	Perennial herb (Wright 2001). - Mature plant produces viable propagules for 3-10 years.	ML	MH
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	Perennial herb (Wright 2001). - Two to five years to reach sexual maturity, or for vegetative propagules to become separate individuals.	ML	MH
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	‘…the stem has separated from the root, allowing the entire plant to be carried by wind…when the seeds of the dead fruit are ready to be dispersed, the base of the stem is disconnected from the thick root…the plant then rolls, driven by the wind, dispersing the seeds on steppe and field. (MODZ 2009). - Propagules are dispersed by wind.	MH	ML
15. How far do they disperse?	‘…the stem has separated from the root, allowing the entire plant to be carried by wind…when the seeds of the dead fruit are ready to be dispersed, the base of the stem is disconnected from the thick root…the plant then rolls, driven by the wind, dispersing the seeds on steppe and field. (MODZ 2009). ‘…later in the season, they [dried mature plant material] become detached from the root, and disperse their fruits as they are rolled by the wind over large distances (Lev-Yadun and Abbo 1999) - Wind dispersed propagules have the potential to travel 200-1000 metres.	MH	ML

References

Lev-Yadun S, Abbo S (1999) Traditional use of A'kub (Gundelia tournefortii, Asteraceae), in Israel and the Palestinian authority area. Economic Botany 53 217-219

Erclyes AT, Karaosmanoglu F, Civelekoglu H (1989) Fruit Oils of Four Plant Species of Turkish Origin. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society 66 1459-1464

MODZ (2009) Flowers of Israel Gundelia tournefortii, Galgal, Tumbleweed, Tumble Thistle. Available at http://www.flowersinisrael.com/Gundeliatournefortii_page.htm (verified 9 March 2009)

Wright C (2001) Mediterranean Vegetables: A Cook's ABC of Vegetables and Their Preparation in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa with More Than 200 Authentic Recipes for the Home Cook. Harvard Common Press

Plants for A Future Database Gundelia tournefortii. Available at http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Gundelia+tournefortii (verified 19 March 2009)

Coruh N, Sagdiçoğlu Celep AG, Őzgőkçe F, İşcan M (2007) Antioxidant capacities of Gundelia tournefortii L. extracts and inhibition on glutathione-S-transferase activity. Food Chemistry 100 1249-1253.

Dave’s Garden A’Kub, Tumbleweed Gundelia tournefortii. Available at http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/74386/ (verified 29 March 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 07 May 2009).

Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation. [web application]. (2008) Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit
organization]. Available at http://www.calflora.org/ (verified 07 May 2009).

Den virtuella floran (DVF) (2009) Naturhistoriska riksmuseet. Available at http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/ (verified 07 May 2009).

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

EIS: Environmental Information System (2006) Parks Victoria.

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 07 May 2009).

IPMS: Integrated Pest Management System (2006) Department of Primary Industries.

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (200X) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 07 May 2009).

National Biodiversity Network (2008) NBN Gateway, National Biodiversity Network, UK, Available at http://www.searchnbn.net/index_homepage/index.jsp (verified 07 May 2009).

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