plants observed in the urban area of Curitiba – Brazil

Abstract

Invasive species in urban areas are mostly introduced by the population and by governamental agencies. Any species planted in dense numbers can become serious environmental problems, as they have negative effects displacing native plants. This work was aimed at assessing the potencial spread of non-native urban vegetation in and beyond the city of Curitiba. A random number of 70 units, distributed in five special different conditions, was sampled: streets, parks, squares, abandoned areas and gardens located in 45 neighborhoods. This was based on the demographic aspect and on the evolution of the urban growth of the Curitiba. A total of 370 species were recorded in the urban area, of which 155 species (42%) have been classified as weeds in other parts of the world: 21 species (5,7%) are considered invasive in Brazil (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Chrysanthemum myconis L., Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tem, Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f., Crocosmia x crocosmaeflora Lem., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Cyperus rotundus L., Dracaena fragrans Ker-Gawl., Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees, Eriobotrya japonica Lindl., Fragaria indica Andr., Impatiens walleriana Hook. f., Ligustrum lucidum Aiton., Melia azedarach Blanco, Morus nigra L., Ophiopogon japonicum Ker-Gawl., Passiflora alata (Dryand.) Ait., Psidium guajava L., Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake, Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw., Tradescantia fluminensis Vell. and Tradescantia zebrina Hort. ex Bosse) and; 8 of them (2,2%) are considered invasive species in Curitiba (Cirsium vulgare, Eriobotrya japonica, Melia azedarach, Morus nigra, Ophiopogon japonicum, Psidium guajava and Tradescantia zebrina.