A Panax-centric view of invasive species

Abstract

Plant-centric sampling provides a novel approach to quantifying the potential impact of invasive species on native plant species. The aim of this study was to determine the level of exposure of individuals and populations of Panax quinquefolius to invasive plant species using this approach in thirty natural ginseng populations. A high level of invasion was found with 63-70% of ginseng populations containing at least one invasive species. Approximately one-third of all individuals were found in close proximity to invasive plants. The most prevalent invasive species were Rosa multiflora and Berberis thunbergii. The exposure to invasives of plants in different size classes varied among populations. Invasive species presence increased with greater ginseng population sizes and presence of harvest. The abundance of invasives plants within forest interiors near this valuable medicinal herb suggests that the economic and ecological costs of competitive interactions with native species could be high.

Ecology and conservation of ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in a changing world

“…No studies have examined the extent of competition between ginseng and neighboring native herbaceous plants in natural populations. However, more than 4,000 ginseng plants in 30 natural populations were used as circular quadrat centers to gauge potential for competitive encounters with nonnative, invasive plants . The Panax ‐centric sampling method assured that the quantification of invasion was relevant to ginseng.…”

“…However, more than 4,000 ginseng plants in 30 natural populations were used as circular quadrat centers to gauge potential for competitive encounters with nonnative, invasive plants. 109 The Panax-centric sampling method assured that the quantification of invasion was relevant to ginseng. Within a radius of 2 m, all invasive herbaceous species were tallied, within 5 m, all nonnative shrub species were noted, and within 10 m, all exotic trees.…”

Competitive and allelopathic effects of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) on American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)

“…Similar to many other understory species, American ginseng forms vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal associations (VAM) (Seo and Anderson 1990 (Wixted and McGraw 2009). Garlic mustard was found in 5 out of 30 natural populations, with 7.1% of the 4,291 censused ginseng plants having garlic mustard within a 2-m proximity (Wixted and McGraw 2009).…”

“…Similar to many other understory species, American ginseng forms vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal associations (VAM) (Seo and Anderson 1990 (Wixted and McGraw 2009). Garlic mustard was found in 5 out of 30 natural populations, with 7.1% of the 4,291 censused ginseng plants having garlic mustard within a 2-m proximity (Wixted and McGraw 2009). Therefore, the objectives of this research were to examine the following questions: (1) Is there evidence for a competitive and/or allelopathic effect of an invasive non-native competitor (garlic mustard) on ginseng seedling survival and growth?…”

The Root of Sustainability: Investigating the relationship between medicinal plant conservation and surface mining in Appalachia

“…Reintroductions of rare species need to occur in areas of high likelihood of success to ensure that species, such as P. quinquefolius, exist for future generations. Wixted, K., McGraw, J.B., 2009. A Panax-centric view of invasive species.…”