Bunias orientalis

2. Bunias orientalis L. (E-Eur., W-As.) – A rare, locally naturalised alien. First recorded around 1850 from the Citadelle in Namur. Formerly seen in numerous, widely scattered locations. There are several cases of naturalisation or long-time presence, for instance: Hombeek (since 1957), Montmédy (abundantly naturalised, 1956-1963), Lamorteau (1939-1978), Tihange (1891-1951), Namur-Château (1853-1952), Bomal (1936-1947), etc. However, in Flanders, Bunias orientalis has much decreased lately. At present, it is obviously more widely dispersed in Wallonia (Verloove 2002, Verloove 2006) and locally not rare. Many records are from railway and canal banks, formerly also as a weed in alfalfa and clover fields.
Bunias orientalis is a very typical crucifer and is easily distinguished (even without fruits) by its stalked glands below the inflorescence.
Genuine invasive behaviour of Bunias orientalis has not been detected so far in Belgium, although it may build massive stands. However, at least at present, it is mostly confined to disturbed and other man-made habitats. In other parts of its secondary distribution range it is a noxious weed (see for instance Steinlein & al. 1996).


Selected literature

Bernhardt K.-G. (1986) Bunias orientalis L. in uferbegleitenden Schuttfluren am Rhein bei Mondorf (Erftkreis). Göttinger Floristische Rundbriefe 20: 16-18.

Brandes D. (1991) Untersuchungen zur Vergesellschaftung und Ökologie von Bunias orientalis L. im Westlichen Mitteleuropa. Braunschweig. Naturk. Schriften 3: 857-875. [available online at: http://www.digibib.tu-bs.de/?docid=00032609]

Brandes D. (1992) Untersuchungen zur Soziologie von Bunias orientalis L. in Estland. Braunschweig. Naturk. Schriften. 4: 213-215. [available online at: http://www.digibib.tu-bs.de/?docid=00032581]

Dietz H. & Ullmann I. (1997) Phenological shifts of the alien colonizer Bunias orientalis: Image-based analysis of temporal niche separation. Journal of Vegetation Science 8: 839-846.

Dietz H. & Ullmann I. (1998) Ecological application of 'herbchronology': comparative stand age structure analyses of the invasive plant Bunias orientalis L. Annals of Botany 82: 471-480.

Dietz H., Steinlein T. & Ullmann I. (1999) Establishment of the invasive perennial herb Bunias orientalis L: an experimental approach. Acta Oecologica 20: 621-632.

Heinrich W. (1985) Verbreitung und Vergesellschaftung der Orientalischen Zackenschote (Bunias orientalis L.) in Thüringen. Wiss. Z. Schriftenr. Friedrich-Schiller-Univ. Jena, Naturwiss. R. 34(4): 577-583.

Jehlík V. & Slavík B. (1968) Beitrag zum Erkennen des Verbreitungscharakters der Art Bunias orientalis L. in der Tschechoslowakei. Preslia 40: 274-293.

MacPherson P. (1987) Warty Cabbage. Glasgow Naturalist 21: 351-352.

Pohl H. (1992) Quelques observations floristiques effectuées dans le sud de l’Entre- Sambre-et-Meuse. Nat. Mosana 45(2): 68-71.
Steinlein T., Dietz H. & Ullmann I. (1996) Growth patterns of the alien perennial Bunias orientalis L. (Brassicaceae) underlying its rising dominance in some native plant assemblages. Vegetatio 125: 73-82.

Verloove F. (2002) Ingeburgerde plantensoorten in Vlaanderen. Mededeling van het Instituut voor Natuurbehoud n° 20: 227 p.

Verloove F. (2006) Bunias orientalis. In: Van Landuyt W., Hoste I., Vanhecke L., Van den Bremt P., Vercruysse W. & De Beer D., Atlas van de flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels gewest. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek, Nationale Plantentuin van België en Flo.Wer: 202.

Woitke M. (2002) Artenkombination, Etablierungsstadium und anthropogenes Störungsregime als Einflußfaktoren auf die Bestandsentwicklung der invasiven Brassicaceae Bunias orientalis L. und Rorippa austriaca (Crantz)Besser in experimenteller Vegetation. Dissertation Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften [available online at : http://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/frontdoor.php?source_opus=250&la=de

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith