Article

Diplachne fascicularis (Poaceae), a taxon native to North and South America, is reported for the first time as an alien species for the flora of Bulgaria and of the Balkan Peninsula. It was recorded in rice fields in Central Bulgaria, in the Thracian Lowland floristic region. Brief morphological description is provided based on the material collected from the Bulgarian localities. This species grows in damp to wet places at the margins of rice fields and is already rather abundant. Distinguishing characters from the morphologically most similar native species (Cleistogenes serotina and C. bulgarica) have been highlighted. The invasiveness and spreading potential of the species have been discussed based on personal observations and data from the literature.