Distribution and Some Biological Features of the Alien Species Eriochloavillosa (Poaceae: Paniceae) in Siberia.

The article presents the results of a study of the synanthropic species Eriochloa villosa (Poaceae: Paniceae), which is currently spreading throughout Russia (including Siberia). On the basis of analysis of published data, herbarium materials, and our own observations in nature, the current distribution of this species in Siberia has been detailed. It was concluded that there are two current settlement centers of this species in Siberia, located in Altai and in Tomsk region. In Western Siberia, E. villosa successfully colonizes both segetal habitats (crops of various grains, row crops, and oilseeds) and ruderal habitats. Geobotanical descriptions were made of segetal communities with the participation of E. villosa, presumably belonging to the class of synanthropic vegetation Stellarietea mediae R. Tx. et al. ex von Roshow 1951. The main ways of distribution of diaspores for this species in Siberia are speirochory and agestochory. For E. villosa seeds, a state of shallow physiological dormancy and their high germination rate in laboratory conditions have been revealed. The data obtained can be used to take measures to control the number of this segetal species in agricultural crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]