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Potential Effects of Laurel Wilt on the Flora of North America

Potential Effects of Laurel Wilt on the Flora of North America

Authors :
Joel M. Gramling
Source :
Southeastern Naturalist. 9:827-836
Publication Year :
2010
Publisher :
Humboldt Field Research Institute, 2010.

Abstract

Laurel Wilt is caused by a recently identified fungal pathogen infecting plants in the Lauraceae. Laurel Wilt is transmitted by Xyleborus glabratus (Redbay Ambrosia Beetle), which was recently introduced to the southeastern United States from Asia. As the insect expands its range in the US, so too has the disease. A query of the NatureServe Explorer database was used to identify the conservation status of native plant species and recognized plant communities that may be affected by Laurel Wilt. Laurel Wilt affects at least nine plant species, and all fifteen species in the Lauraceae currently found in North America may ultimately prove to be hosts for the disease. Four of the twelve native lauraceous species had been identified as vulnerable to extirpation or extinction, prior to the introduction of Laurel Wilt. There are 55 plant communities in the US and Canada that have a member of the Lauraceae as a dominant or diagnostic species. The majority of these plant communities have been identified a...

Details

ISSN :
19385412 and 15287092
Volume :
9
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Southeastern Naturalist
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........4386ec8e0cf011e5642ee053539bd8cb
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1656/058.009.0417