New form of reproduction identified in the Iberian Peninsula

Researchers from the Center for Functional Ecology at the University of Coimbra (UC), in partnership with the University of Vigo, have identified a new form of reproduction for the invasive plant. Here, the plant, commonly known as "sour grass" or "yellow clover," is able to reproduce by seed (sexual reproduction), a capacity that until now was exclusive to the area where the species is native—South Africa.

João Loureiro, coordinator of the study co-funded by FCT, explains that this form of reproduction of the sourgrass, which spreads mainly in agricultural areas, "allows crossbreeding with other species, which increases its genetic diversity and enables the combination of characteristics that can make plants more aggressive and harmful to the ecosystem."

The results obtained so far reveal that the propagation process "has become faster, easier, and much more aggressive," with an impact "on the reproduction of native plants in the invaded areas, which may compromise the reproduction of some species and affect the dynamics of natural populations. For example, a negative impact was observed in Galician cabbage."

According to the researcher, the study aims to provide relevant information to "better understand this species and thus develop measures to control and eradicate the plant."