IN1B Gunnera tinctoria invasive community
Vegetation
This community brings together native grassland, scrub, woodland or heath communities that have been invaded by the non-native Gunnera tinctoria, whose broad, spreading leaves dominate the assemblage. Other constant vascular plant species are Agrostis stolonifera, Rubus fruticosus agg. and Hedera helix. Beneath and between the rhubarb-like leaves are frequently found Plantago lanceolata, Juncus effusus, Trifolium repens, Taraxacum officinale agg., Potentilla erecta, Holcus lanatus or Ranunculus repens. In scrubby or woodland stands, there may be an overtopping canopy of Ulex europaeus, Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens or Fraxinus excelsior. The ground layer is usually species-poor, consisting of just Calliergonella cuspidata.
Ecology
This community has currently only been recorded from the Connemara National Park area where it has been noted along disturbed roadsides and in quarries, but is known to be more widespread, occuring particularly in the hyper-oceanic climate of western Mayo, western Galway and southwest Kerry. Soils are typically wet, moderately fertile and circumneutral.
Sub-communities
No sub-communities are described.
Similar communities
This is a straightforward community that is unlikely to cause confusion.
Conservation value
This is an invasive community, typically with very low conservation value. Species/9 m2 = 17.9, n = 35.
Management
Gunnera tinctoria is listed in the Third Schedule of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011, making it an offence under Regulation 49 of that instrument to plant, disperse, allow or cause to grow this plant in the Republic of Ireland. Road works using material from infested quarries have faciliated its spread in Connemara. It can be controlled by foliar spraying or by cutting stalks and painting the stumps with herbicide.