Asclepias syriaca L. in the Romensko-Poltavsky Geobotanical District (Ukraine)

The results of an integrated research of a potentially invasive species, Asclepias syriaca, in the Romensko-Poltavsky Geobotanical District (Ukraine) are given. The viability of the seeds of this species and their laboratory germinating ability are studied. Under natural conditions, the life strategy of the species is focused on vegetative reproduction. A. syriaca forms poor floral biocenoses and grows in the communities of the Rudbeckio laciniatae-Solidaginetum canadensis Tuxen et Raabe ex Aniol-Kwiatkowska 1974 and Asclepiadetum syriacae Lanikova in Chytry 2009 associations. This species is distributed mainly in type 1 biotopes, which are formed as a result of the constant effect of anthropogenic factors. According to the Invasive Species Assessment Protocol, the level of species invasiveness is high (I-Rank = 95), which indicates a serious threat to local species and natural communities under the influence of A. syriaca distribution.