Turkish mustard (Malcolmia africana)
Present distribution
|  Map showing the present distribution of this weed. | ||||
| Habitat: “Not restricted to gypsum soils, as we recorded it in 50 non-gypsum soil types” (Abella et al. 2009). “Native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East” (Richardson et al. 2006). “Minor weed of pasture and waste ground” (Lazarides et al. 1997). Malcolmias are found on rocky slopes and thrive in coastal gardens (Brickell 1996). “Habitat in Arches National Park: roadsides, foothills, and disturbed areas” (NPS, undated). “Disturbed areas, desert scrub. Elevation: 1250-2000m…Distribution outside California: to Rocky Mtns; native to Mediterranean” (UC/JEPS 1993). “Fields, disturbed area, roadsides, deserts” (Flora of China, undated). “Mostly inhabits dry disturbed areas and desert shrubland” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). “Annual forb” (Abella et al. 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; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation Ecological Vegetation Divisions Coastal; heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; wet forest; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; western plains woodland; basalt grassland; alluvial plains grassland; semi-arid woodland; alluvial plains woodland; chenopod shrubland; chenopod mallee; hummock-grass mallee; lowan mallee Colours indicate possibility of Malcolmia africana infesting these areas. In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable. | 
|
Impact
QUESTION | COMMENTS | RATING | CONFIDENCE |
| Social |  | | |
| 1. Restrict human access? | “Annual herb to about 30cm” (Richardson et al. 2006). “Prostrate to erect annual to 0.5m tall” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). Malcolmias are found on rocky slopes and thrive in coastal gardens (Brickell 1996). “Habitat in Arches National Park: roadsides, foothills, and disturbed areas” (NPS, undated). “Disturbed areas, desert scrub” (UC/JEPS 1993). “Fields, disturbed area, roadsides, deserts” (Flora of China, undated). May hide the terrain of an area. High nuisance value. People and/or vehicles access with difficulty. | MH | ML |
| 2. Reduce tourism? | “Annual herb to about 30cm” (Richardson et al. 2006). “Prostrate to erect annual to 0.5m tall” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). Malcolmias are found on rocky slopes and thrive in coastal gardens (Brickell 1996). “Habitat in Arches National Park: roadsides, foothills, and disturbed areas” (NPS, undated). “Disturbed areas, desert scrub” (UC/JEPS 1993). “Fields, disturbed area, roadsides, deserts” (Flora of China, undated). Minor effects to aesthetics and/or recreational uses (i.e. aware but not bothered or activity inhibited). | ML | ML |
| 3. Injurious to people? | Fruit “with two tiny horns at the tip” (Richardson et al. 2006). May cause some physiological issues (e.g.) hayfever, minor rashes, minor damage from spines and burrs at certain times of year). | ML | ML |
| 4. Damage to cultural sites? | “4 pink to lavender petals in the shape of a cross or crucifer; 4 sepals (pink, purple or reddish)” (NPS, undated). “Prostrate to erect annual to 0.5m tall” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). Moderate visual effect. | ML | M |
| Abiotic | | | |
| 5. Impact flow? | “Minor weed of pasture and waste ground” (Lazarides et al. 1997). Malcolmias are found on rocky slopes and thrive in coastal gardens (Brickell 1996). “Habitat in Arches National Park: roadsides, foothills, and disturbed areas” (NPS, undated). “Disturbed areas, desert scrub” (UC/JEPS 1993). “Fields, disturbed area, roadsides, deserts” (Flora of China, undated). “Mostly inhabits dry disturbed areas and desert shrubland” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). Not described as aquatic. | L | ML |
| 6. Impact water quality? | “Minor weed of pasture and waste ground” (Lazarides et al. 1997). Malcolmias are found on rocky slopes and thrive in coastal gardens (Brickell 1996). “Habitat in Arches National Park: roadsides, foothills, and disturbed areas” (NPS, undated). “Disturbed areas, desert scrub” (UC/JEPS 1993). “Fields, disturbed area, roadsides, deserts” (Flora of China, undated). “Mostly inhabits dry disturbed areas and desert shrubland” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). Not described as aquatic. | L | ML |
| 7. Increase soil erosion? | “Annual herb to about 30cm” (Richardson et al. 2006). “Minor weed of pasture and waste ground” (Lazarides et al. 1997). Malcolmias are found on rocky slopes and thrive in coastal gardens (Brickell 1996). “Habitat in Arches National Park: roadsides, foothills, and disturbed areas” (NPS, undated). “Disturbed areas, desert scrub” (UC/JEPS 1993). “Fields, disturbed area, roadsides, deserts” (Flora of China, undated). “Mostly inhabits dry disturbed areas and desert shrubland” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). May cause erosion issues after it dies down in disturbed areas, as these are normally more open and susceptible to erosion processes. High probability of large scale soil movement with minor off-site implications. | MH | ML |
| 8. Reduce biomass? | “Annual herb to about 30cm” (Richardson et al. 2006). Not enough information. | M | L |
| 9. Change fire regime? | “Annual herb to about 30cm” (Richardson et al. 2006). Not enough information. | M | L |
| Community Habitat | | | |
| 10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC | EVC = Coast Banksia Woodland (V); CMA = West Gippsland; Bioregion = Gippsland Plains; VH CLIMATE potential. No information found. | M | L |
| (b) medium value EVC | EVC = Lowland Forest (D); CMA = Corangamite; Bioregion = Otway Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. No information found. | M | L |
| (c) low value EVC | EVC = Shrubby Dry Forest(LC); CMA = North Central; Bioregion = Central Victorian Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. No information found. | M | L |
| 11. Impact on structure? | No information found. | M | L |
| 12. Effect on threatened flora? | No information found. | M | L |
| Fauna | | | |
| 13. Effect on threatened fauna? | No information found. | M | L |
| 14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? | No information found. | M | L |
| 15. Benefits fauna? | “Nectar glands commonly 4” (NPS, undated). “Annual herb to about 30cm” (Richardson et al. 2006). May provide some assistance in either food or shelter to desirable species. | MH | ML |
| 16. Injurious to fauna? | Fruit “with two tiny horns at the tip” (Richardson et al. 2006). Probably not likely to have an effect on animals. | L | ML |
| Pest Animal | | | |
| 17. Food source to pests? | “Nectar glands commonly 4” (NPS, undated). May supply nectar to fire ants. Supplies food for serious pest (e.g. rabbits and foxes, but at low levels. (e.g. foliage). | | |
| 18. Provides harbour? | “Annual herb to about 30cm” (Richardson et al. 2006). Unlikely to provide harbour to pest species. | L | ML |
| Agriculture | | | |
| 19. Impact yield? | “In Mardan, the major weeds reported were…Malcolmia africana…Annual wheat yield losses due to weeds ranged from 25-50%...The major weeds that infested the wheat intercropped with sugar cane crop were…Malcolmia africana” M. africana was one of 18 weeds listed as major weeds (Khan et al.2006). “Smooth ball mustard, Calepina irregularis, and Turkish mustard, Malcolmia africana, are weeds from the Mediterranean region which are now in Australia. Both plants have wide native distributions, hence are likely to spread rapidly and become major weeds of farming systems in southern Australia…Turkish mustard is a common weed in wheat, peas and orchards” overseas (Carter and Cooke 1993). “Large populations can be difficult to control in grain fields because plants are somewhat tolerant to typical 2,4-D use rates (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). On an individual basis, not likely to impact 25-50%, but is still a major weed therefore may cause major impact on quantity of produce (e.g. 5-20%). | MH | M |
| 20. Impact quality? | “Turkish mustard is a common weed in wheat, peas and orchards” overseas (Carter and Cooke 1993). “Large populations can be difficult to control in grain fields because plants are somewhat tolerant to typical 2,4-D use rates (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). “In Mardan, the major weeds reported were…Malcolmia Africana…Annual wheat yield losses due to weeds ranged from 25-50%...The major weeds that infested the wheat intercropped with sugar cane crop were…Malcolmia africana”(Khan et al.2006). “Minor weed of pasture and waste ground” (Lazarides et al. 1997). “An occasional weed in crops” (Richardson et al. 2006). No information relates to the quality of the produce. More information needed. | M | L |
| 21. Affect land value? | “In Mardan, the major weeds reported were…Malcolmia africana…Annual wheat yield losses due to weeds ranged from 25-50%...The major weeds that infested the wheat intercropped with sugar cane crop were…Malcolmia africana”(Khan et al.2006). “Smooth ball mustard, Calepina irregularis, and Turkish mustard, Malcolmia africana, are weeds from the Mediterranean region which are now in Australia. Both plants have wide native distributions, hence are likely to spread rapidly and become major weeds of farming systems in southern Australia…Turkish mustard is a common weed in wheat, peas and orchards” overseas (Carter and Cooke 1993). “Large populations can be difficult to control in grain fields because plants are somewhat tolerant to typical 2,4-D use rates (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). As this has been noted as a significant weed in other countries and difficult to control, it may reduce land value <10%. | M | ML |
| 22. Change land use? | “Smooth ball mustard, Calepina irregularis, and Turkish mustard, Malcolmia Africana, are weeds from the Mediterranean region which are now in Australia. Both plants have wide native distributions, hence are likely to spread rapidly and become major weeds of farming systems in southern Australia…Turkish mustard is a common weed in wheat, peas and orchards” overseas (Carter and Cooke 1993). “Large populations can be difficult to control in grain fields because plants are somewhat tolerant to typical 2,4-D use rates (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). “In Mardan, the major weeds reported were…Malcolmia Africana…Annual wheat yield losses due to weeds ranged from 25-50%...The major weeds that infested the wheat intercropped with sugar cane crop were…Malcolmia africana”(Khan et al.2006). “Minor weed of pasture and waste ground” (Lazarides et al. 1997). “An occasional weed in crops” (Richardson et al. 2006). Some change, but no serious alteration of either agricultural return. Affects more the visual rather than intrinsic agricultural value. | ML | ML |
| 23. Increase harvest costs? | “Smooth ball mustard, Calepina irregularis, and Turkish mustard, Malcolmia Africana, are weeds from the Mediterranean region which are now in Australia. Both plants have wide native distributions, hence are likely to spread rapidly and become major weeds of farming systems in southern Australia…Turkish mustard is a common weed in wheat, peas and orchards” overseas (Carter and Cooke 1993). “Large populations can be difficult to control in grain fields because plants are somewhat tolerant to typical 2,4-D use rates (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). “In Mardan, the major weeds reported were…Malcolmia Africana…Annual wheat yield losses due to weeds ranged from 25-50%...The major weeds that infested the wheat intercropped with sugar cane crop were…Malcolmia africana”(Khan et al.2006). May be a major increase in time or labour, or machinery in harvesting. | H | ML |
| 24. Disease host/vector? | No information found. | M | L |
Invasive
QUESTION | COMMENTS | RATING | CONFIDENCE |
| Establishment | | | |
| 1. Germination requirements? | “Seeds germinate during the cool season, mostly after the first fall or early winter rain in California. Seeds can mature in as few as 10 days after flowers open” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). Requires natural seasonal disturbances such as seasonal rainfall, spring/summer temperatures for germination. | MH | ML |
| 2. Establishment requirements? | M. maritime “only [takes] four weeks from seed to full bloom in a warm, sunny position… For malcolmias, “just prepare the soil with fertiliser, scatter seed lightly and water with care. They’ll germinate in a matter of days any time except mid-summer” (Macoboy 1969). Require more specific requirements to establish (e.g. open space or bare ground with access to light and direct rainfall). | ML | ML |
| 3. How much disturbance is required? | “Minor weed of pasture and waste ground” (Lazarides et al. 1997). “Habitat in Arches National Park: roadsides, foothills, and disturbed areas” (NPS, undated). “Disturbed areas, desert scrub. Elevation: 1250-2000m” (UC/JEPS 1993). “Fields, disturbed area, roadsides, deserts” (Flora of China, undated). Malcolmias thrive in coastal gardens (Brickell 1996). Establishes in highly disturbed natural ecosystems (eg. roadsides, wildlife corridors, or areas which have a greater impact by humans such as tourist areas or campsites) or in overgrazed pastures/poorly growing or patchy crops. | L | M |
| Growth/Competitive | | | |
| 4. Life form? | “Annual forb” (Abella et al. 2009). Other. | L | MH |
| 5. Allelopathic properties? | No information found. | M | L |
| 6. Tolerates herb pressure? | No information found. | M | L |
| 7. Normal growth rate? | “For fast, fast, fast colour, rely on Virginia Stock (Malcolmia maritima). With only four weeks from seed to full bloom in a warm, sunny position (Macoboy 1969). May be similar to species in the same genus. Rapid growth rate that will exceed most other species of the same life form. | H | ML |
| 8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? | Malcolmias thrive in coastal gardens (Brickell 1996). “Disturbed areas, desert scrub. Elevation: 1250-2000m” (UC/JEPS 1993). “Mostly inhabits dry disturbed areas and desert shrubland” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). Not enough information. | M | L |
| Reproduction | | | |
| 9. Reproductive system | “Other genera in this family are pollinated by insects (specifically butterflies, moths, bees, flies): some self-fertile (NPS, undated). Possibly capable of self and cross-pollination. Sexual (self and cross-pollination). | ML | L |
| 10. Number of propagules produced? | “Racemes few to many flowered” (Flora of China, undated). “Seeds many” (SEINet, undated). Not enough information. | M | L |
| 11. Propagule longevity? | For malcolmias, “just prepare the soil with fertiliser, scatter seed lightly and water with care. They’ll germinate in a matter of days any time except mid-summer” (Macoboy 1969). “Annual forb” (Abella et al. 2009). Greater than 25% of seeds survive 5 years, or vegetatively reproduces. | L | ML |
| 12. Reproductive period? | “Annual forb” (Abella et al. 2009). Mature plant produces viable propagules for only 1 year. | L | M |
| 13. Time to reproductive maturity? | “Seeds can mature in as few as 10 days after flowers open” (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). Reaches maturity and produces viable propagules, or vegetative propagules become separate individuals, in under a year. | H | ML |
| Dispersal | | | |
| 14. Number of mechanisms? | No information found. | M | L |
| 15. How far do they disperse? | No information found. | M | L |
References
Abella S.R, Spencer J.E, Hoines J, and Nazarchyk C (2009) Assessing an exotic plant surveying program in the Mojave Desert, Clark County, Nevada, USA. Environ Monit Assess. 151: 221-230.
Brickell C. (Ed.) (1996) A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. The Royal Horticultural Society. Covent Garden Books, London.
Carter R.J. and Cooke D.A (1993) Calepina, calepine irregularis and Turkish mustard, Malcolmia africana- two Mediterranean weeds new to Australia. Available at: http://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/1993/poster/weeds/1993pgs342-poster2b.htm (verified 17/03/2010).
DiTomaso J.M and Healy E.A. (2007) Weeds of California and Other Western States: Geraniaceae-Zygophyllaceae. Regents of the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Oakland, California.
Flora of China (undated) Malcolmia Africana. Available at: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200009607 (verified 23/02/2010).
Lazarides M, Cowley K. and Hohnen P. (1997) CSIRO Handbook of Australian Weeds. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.
Macoboy S. (1986) What Flower Is That? 2nd Edn. Lansdowne Press, Sydney, Aukland, London, New York.
Marwat K.B, Hussain Z, Gul B, Saeed M, and Siraj-un-Din (2006) Survey on weed problems in wheat crop in district Mardan. Pak J. Weed Sci. Res. 12(4): 353-358.
NPS (National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. (Undated) African Mustard. Available at:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/arch/flowers/families/Common_names/Brassicaceae_Malcolmia_africana20.htm (verified 23/02/2010).
Richardson FJ, Richardson RG and Shepherd RCH. (2006) Weeds of the South-east. An Identification Guide for Australia. RG & FJ Richardson. Meredith.
SEINet (Southwest Environmental Information Network (undated) Malcolmia africana. Available at: http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=1205 (verified 23/02/2010).
Global present distribution data references
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 20/01/2010).
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 20/01/2010).
Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2009) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 20/01/2010).
Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2009) w3TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 20/08/2010).
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 20/01/2010).
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