Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2010, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5): 591-600.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.05.013

Special Issue: 入侵生态学

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Review of research advances and prospects of invasive Chromolaena odorata

YU Xiang-Qin1,2, FENG Yu-Long1, LI Qiao-Ming1,*()   

  1. 1Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla,Yunnan 666303, China
    2Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2009-04-10 Accepted:2010-01-21 Online:2010-04-10 Published:2010-05-01
  • Contact: LI Qiao-Ming

Abstract:

Chromolaena odorata, native to Central and South America, is a worldwide perennial invasive alien weed. It has spread into most of the humid tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Oceania and Micronesia. Moreover, C. odorata continues to spread rapidly, posing a serious threat to crops, forestry, indigenous vegetation and biodiversity conservation. It has captured extensive attention because of its serious impacts on environment and socioeconomic development. In order to restrict its range expansion and eliminate its adverse impacts, it is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying successful invasion of C. odorata, for which introduction status and invasion routes should be known. We reviewed the research on this weed, including its biological characteristics, geographic distribution, invasion consequences and control, especially its introductions, invasion routes throughout the world and mechanisms of successful invasion. We presented prospects for research on the ecophysiology and molecular biology of C. odorata, emphasizing that study of the genetic basis of adaptive evolution may facilitate elucidating mechanisms underlying its successful invasion.

Key words: adaptive evolution, biological control, Chromolaena odorata, invasion mechanisms, invasion routes