Article

Acalypha australis (Euphorbiaceae), a new alien species in the urban areas of Tirana (Albania)

Authors:
Saliaj O.
,
Mesiti A.
,
Mullaj A.
Publication: Flora Mediterranea
Pages: 5-11
Article history:
  1. Received

  2. returned for (first) revision

  3. Accepted

  4. Published online

Abstract

The flora of Albania, in relation to its surface, is one of the richest in Europe. Currently, it includes more than 3629 species; 230 species belonging to 58 different families have been documented as alien species in Albania. Acalypha is the fourth largest genus of the Euphorbiaceae with approximately 450-570 species. Acalypha australis found recently in Albania, represents not only a new alien species for the Albania flora, but also a new genus (Acalypha). A. australis is native to the Russian Far East, China, Japan, and the Philippines and naturalized in Australia and other regions in Eurasia, including the Caucasus, Ukraine, Italy, Armenia, and Turkey. In Albania, A. australis was found in the city of Tirana with a small number of individuals (one or two), on third November 2022. In 2023 the species has reproduced successfully and is forming large populations in the new urban ecosystem, becoming potentially invasive in the next years