• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.15-15
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• 2020

Commelina caroliniana Water, was founded in Jongdal-ri (Gujwa-eup, Jeju Island) for the first time, is widely distributed arable land near the coast and roads. C. caroliniana belongs to Commelinaceae and native to Bangladesh, India. This species can be distinguished from its allied species in Korea by several characters as followings: apex acuminate and obovate shape spathes, flowers have blue 3 petals, maroon spot on the antherode, fruit with 5 seeds in 3 ovaries. C. caroliniana is well known for its strong fertility, which can outcompate native grasses and further negatively effect on the grassland ecosystem. The species has already introduced and widely distributed across much of southeastern US and some of Asian countries. Considering the case of C. caroliniana's diffusion capacity and influence on the ecosystem, management system for prevent their spreading are required through monitoring. Given the great potential of spread found in C. caroliniana, continuous monitoring may be required.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2021

Invasive alien species management is pivotal for biodiversity conservation. Commelina caroliniana Walter, from the family Commelinaceae, is an alien plant native to the Himalayas and India, but it has been widely introduced around the world, including in the United States, Brazil, Philippines, and Japan. In Korea, the first population was found growing adjacent to agricultural land and farm roads on Jejudo Island, and field observations confirmed the presence of at least nine populations there. It is similar morphologically to C. diffusa Burm. f. but can be distinguished by involucral bracts that are ciliate at the base, hairs on the peduncle and obsolete upper cincinnus, brown spots on its 4-lobed antherode, and seed surfaces that are smooth to slightly alveolate. It was determined to have an invasiveness low score of 8 according to the Korean 'Invasive Alien Plant Risk Assessment', suggesting that it may spread to natural habitats. Although the current distribution of C. caroliniana is restricted to Jeju-si, it has spread dramatically in many other areas of the world. At present, it has had a limited impact on the local environment, but local and regulatory authorities should pay close attention to this plant and take measures to prevent its expansion in the future.