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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Production Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #225858

Title: Spread of Cuban Club-rush [Oxycaryum cubense]in the Southeastern United States

Author
item Bryson, Charles
item MADDOX, VICTOR - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item CARTER, RICHARD - VALDOSTA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Invasive Plant Science and Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2008
Publication Date: 9/10/2008
Citation: Bryson, C.T., Maddox, V.L., and Carter, R. 2008. Spread of Cuban Club-rush [Oxycaryum cubense] in the Southeastern United States. Journal of Invasive Plant Science and Management 1:326-329.

Interpretive Summary: Cuban club-rush, is an invasive aquatic weed that is spreading northward in the southeastern United States. Cuban club-rush has become established and weedy along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway significantly northward in Alabama and it has been detected for the first time in Mississippi. Cuban club-rush commonly occurs in extensive floating mats or rafts with other invasive aquatic weeds. Together these invasive weeds impede navigation and displace native organisms.

Technical Abstract: Oxycaryum cubense (Poepp. & Kunth) Palla, Cuban club-rush, is an invasive aquatic weed that is spreading northward in the southeastern United States. It is reported for the first time from Mississippi and from significantly farther northward in Alabama than previously known. Oxycaryum cubense dissemination and rapid population growth are attributed to two types of reproduction, corky floating achenes and asexual reproduction by fragmentation. An illustration of O. cubense and photos of its habit and habitat are provided.