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More Salvia aethiopis resources

Salvia aethiopis

Common Names: Mediterranean sage; African sage

Evaluated on: 21-Jul-04

List committee review date: 27/08/2004

Re-evaluation date:

Evaluator(s)

Rob Wilson, Weed Ecology/Cropping Systems Farm Advisor
University of California Cooperative Extension
707 Nevada St. Susanville, CA 96130
530-251-8132
rgwilson@ucdavis.edu

Joseph M. DiTomaso
University of California
Weed Science Program, Robbins Hall, Davis, CA 95616
530-754-8715
ditomaso@vegmail.ucdavis.edu

List committee members

Peter Warner
Joe DiTomaso
Cynthia Roye
Jake Sigg
John Randall
Alison Stanton

General Comments

No general comments for this species

Table 2. Criteria, Section, and Overall Scores

Overall Score? Limited

Alert Status? No Alert

Documentation? 2.5 out of 5

Score

Documentation

1.1

?Impact on abiotic ecosystem processes

D. Negligible

Anecdotal

Impact?
Four-part score DCBU Total Score
C

1.2

?Impact on plant community

C. Minor

Other Published Material

1.3

?Impact on higher trophic levels

B. Moderate

Other Published Material

1.4

?Impact on genetic integrity

U. Unknown

2.1

?Role of anthropogenic and natural disturbance in establishment

B. Moderate

Other Published Material

Invasiveness?
Total Points
14 Total Score B

2.2

?Local rate of spread with no management

B. Increases less rapidly

Other Published Material

2.3

?Recent trend in total area infested within state

B. Increasing less rapidly

Observational

2.4

?Innate reproductive potential
(see Worksheet A)

B. Moderate

Other Published Material

2.5

?Potential for human-caused dispersal

C. Low

Other Published Material

2.6

? Potential for natural long-distance dispersal

A. Frequent

Other Published Material

2.7

?Other regions invaded

B. Invades 1 or 2 ecological types

Other Published Material

3.1

?Ecological amplitude/Range
(see Worksheet C)

A. Widespread

Other Published Material

Distribution?
Total Score B

3.2

?Distribution/Peak frequency
(see Worksheet C)

D. Very low

Observational

Table 3. Documentation

Scores are explained in the "Criteria for Categorizing Invasive Non-Native Plants that Threaten Wildlands".

Section 1: Impact
Question 1.1 Impact on abiotic ecosystem processes? Consider the impact on the natural range and variation of abiotic ecosystem processes and system-wide parameters in ways that significantly diminish the ability of native species to survive and reproduce. Alterations that determine the types of communities that can exist in a given area are of greatest concern. Examples of abiotic processes include: - fire occurrence, frequency, and intensity; - geomorphological changes such as erosion and sedimentation rates; - hydrological regimes, including soil water table; - nutrient and mineral dynamics, including salinity, alkalinity, and pH; - light availability (e.g. when an aquatic invader covers an entire water body that would otherwise be open). Select the one letter below that best describes this species' most severe impact on an abiotic ecosystem process: A. Severe, possibly irreversible, alteration or disruption of an ecosystem process. B. Moderate alteration of an ecosystem process. C. Minor alteration of an ecosystem process. D. Negligible perceived impact on an ecosystem process. U. Unknown.	D Anecdotal
Identify ecosystem processes impacted: Little information is available regarding Salvia aethiopis affects on abiotic ecosystem processes. Salvia aethiopis primarly grows in shrub steppe, especially disturbed areas, in gaps between bunchgrasses and shrubs. In areas with regular soil disturbance or overgrazing, Salvia aethiopis will form dense populations. But in healthy shrub steppe, Saliva aethiopis populations are usually quite spotty. Saliva aethiopis likely has little effect on fire occurance and intensity. It may have slight effects on soil moisture availability or nutrient availability, but no documented studies could be found. Sources of information:
Question 1.2 Impact on plant community composition, structure, and interactions? Consider the cumulative ecological impact of this species to the plant communities it invades. Give more weight to changes in plant composition, structure, and interactions that involve rare or keystone species or rare community types. Examples of severe impacts include: - formation of stands dominated (>75% cover) by the species; - occlusion (>75% cover) of a native canopy, including a water surface, that eliminates or degrades layers below; - significant reduction or extirpation of populations of one or more native species. Examples of impacts usually less than severe include: - reduction in propagule dispersal, seedling recruitment, or survivorship of native species; - creation of a new structural layer, including substantial thatch or litter, without elimination or replacement of a pre-existing layer; - change in density or depth of a structural layer; - change in horizontal distribution patterns or fragmentation of a native community; - creation of a vector or intermediate host of pests or pathogens that infect native plant species. Select the one letter below that best describes this species' impact on community composition, structure and interactions: A. Severe alteration of plant community composition, structure, or interactions. B. Moderate alteration of plant community composition. C. Minor alteration of community composition. D. Negligible impact known; causes no perceivable change in community composition, structure, or interactions. U. Unknown.	C Other Published Material
Identify type of impact or alteration: Little information is available regarding Salvia aethiopis affects on plant community structure and interactions. Salvia aethiopis commonly invades disturbed shrub steppe, but population densities are usually spotty. In Lassen County, dense populations on disturbed rangeland rarely exceed 1 to 2 plants per 5 sq m, and tyical infestations are usually 1-5 plants per 50 sq m. Salvia aethiopis rarely crowds out native vegetation or significantly changes plant community composition or structure. A Nevada Cooperative Extension publication states Saliva is seldom the dominant plant in infested areas. Sources of information: Roche, Cindy T. and Wilson, Linda M. 1999. Mediterranean Sage. In: Sheley, Roger; Petroff, Janet., eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 261-270. Graham, Jessica and Johnson, Wayne. 2004. Managing Mediterranean Sage. Nevada Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet. FS-04027. www.unce.unr.edu Personal observations by Rob Wilson and David Lile, UCCE Farm Advisors Lassen County, CA
Question 1.3 Impact on higher trophic levels? Consider the cumulative impact of this species on the animals, fungi, microbes, and other organisms in the communities that it invades. Although a non-native species may provide resources for one or a few native species (e.g. by providing food, nesting sites, etc.), the ranking should be based on the species' net impact on all native species. Give more weight to changes in composition and interactions involving rare or keystone species or rare community types. Examples of severe impacts include: - extirpation or endangerment of an existing native species or population; - elimination or significant reduction in native species' nesting or foraging sites, cover, or other critical resources (i.e., native species habitat), including migratory corridors. Examples of impacts that are usually less than severe include: - minor reduction in nesting or foraging sites, cover, etc. for native animals; - minor reduction in habitat connectivity or migratory corridors; - interference with native pollinators; - injurious components, such as awns or spines that damage the mouth and gut of native wildlife species, or production of anti-digestive or acutely toxic chemical that can poison native wildlife species. Select the one letter below that best describes this species' impact on community composition and interactions: A. Severe alteration of higher trophic populations, communities, or interactions. B. Moderate alteration of higher trophic level populations, communities, or interactions. C. Minor alteration of higher trophic level populations, communities or interactions. D. Negligible impact; causes no perceivable change in higher trophic level populations, communities, or interactions. E. Unknown.	B Other Published Material
Identify type of impact or alteration: Salvia aethiopis is unpalatable to most grazing animals, although it's not toxic. Salvia aethiopis produces volatile oils, predominantly terpenes, from the epidermal hairs on leaves and from the root. The aromatic chemicals and thick pubescence on leaves is thought to deter attack by most plant-feeding insects. Sources of information: Roche, Cindy T. and Wilson, Linda M. 1999. Mediterranean Sage. In: Sheley, Roger; Petroff, Janet., eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 261-270.
Question 1.4 Impact on genetic integrity? Consider whether the species can hybridize with and influence the proportion of individuals with non-native genes within populations of native species. Mechanisms and possible outcomes include: - production of fertile or sterile hybrids that can outcompete the native species; - production of sterile hybrids that lower the reproductive output of the native species. Select the one letter below that best describes this species' impact on genetic integrity: A. Severe (high proportion of individuals). B. Moderate (medium proportion of individuals). C. Minor (low proportion of individuals). D. No known hybridization. U. Unknown.	U
To the author's knowledge, no known hybridization has occurred with Salvia aethiopis and native sages. California does have several native sages in the Salvia genus. Sources of information:
Section 2: Invasiveness
Question 2.1 Role of anthropogenic and natural disturbance in establishment? Assess this species' dependence on disturbance: both human and natural: for establishment in wildlands. Examples of anthropogenic disturbances include: - grazing, browsing, and rooting by domestic livestock and feral animals; - altered fire regimes, including fire suppression; - cultivation; - silvicultural practices; - altered hydrology due to dams, diversions, irrigation, etc.; - roads and trails; - construction; - nutrient loading from fertilizers, runoff, etc. Examples of natural disturbance include: - wildfire; - floods; - landslides; - windthrow; - native animal activities such as burrowing, grazing, or browsing. Select the first letter in the sequence below that describes the ability of this species to invade wildlands: A. Severe invasive potential: this species can establish independent of any known natural or anthropogenic disturbance. B. Moderate invasive potential: this species may occasionally establish in undisturbed areas but can readily establish in areas with natural disturbances. C. Low invasive potential: this species requires anthropogenic disturbance to establish. D. No perceptible invasive potential: this species does not establish in wildlands (though it may persist from former cultivation). U. Unknown.	B Other Published Material
Describe role of disturbance: Salvia aethiopis readily invades disturbed sites including heavily grazed rangeland, roads, and logging sites, but Salvia aethiopis has also been documented to invade climax sagebrush steppe sites where rosettes establish between grass bunches. The plant composition of shrub steppe combined with Salvia aethiopis's growth structure and ability to distribute seeds over large distances (tumbleweed) allow Salvia aethiopis to establish in most shrub steppe serial stages. Salvia aethiopis is most invasive following disturbance and usually isn't problematic in areas with strong plant competition. Sources of information: Roche, Cindy T. and Wilson, Linda M. 1999. Mediterranean Sage. In: Sheley, Roger; Petroff, Janet., eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 261-270.
Question 2.2 Local rate of spread with no management? Assess this species' rate of spread in existing localized infestations where the proportion of available habitat invaded is still small when no management measures are implemented. Select the one letter below that best describes the rate of spread: A. Increases rapidly (doubling in <10 years) B. Increases, but less rapidly C. Stable D. Declining U. Unknown	B Other Published Material
Describe rate of spread: Salvia aethiopis is capable of rapidly spreading across the landscape in disturbed, shrub steppe ecotypes. In Oregon, Salvia aethiopis was first found in Lake County in the 1920's. By 1949, Salvia aethiopis populations in this area had spread to cover 42,240 acres. By 1954, the estimated size of the infestation had grown to more than 100,000 acres. Today, the estimated agreage is approximately 1.3 million acres. Salvia populations in Idaho are estimated to be 4,000 acres. In Colorado, Salvia aethiopis was first reported in 1951 in a pasture. The population remained small and stable for many years, but it began spreading rapidly in the late 1980's along the foothills highway near Boulder, CO. The infestation is estimated to have grown into an area of 4 miles. In Northeast California, Salvia aethiopis infestations in sagebrush steppe rangeland have been spreading across the landscape at a steady pace for several years, but plant densities within the infestation have remained static and the rate of spread does not seem to be as rapid as reported elsewhere. Salvia aethiopis produces large amounts of seed and seed is easily spread over large distances (tumbleweed). Under favorable conditions such as recent disturbance, high winds, and wet weather, Salvia aethiopis can spread extremely fast across the landscape. Sources of information: Roche, Cindy T. and Wilson, Linda M. 1999. Mediterranean Sage. In: Sheley, Roger; Petroff, Janet., eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 261-270.
Question 2.3 Recent trend in total area infested within state? Assess the overall trend in the total area infested by this species statewide. Include current management efforts in this assessment and note them. Select the one letter below that best describes the current trend: A. Increasing rapidly (doubling in total range statewide in <10 years) B. Increasing, but less rapidly C. Stable D. Declining U. Unknown	B Observational
Describe trend: Mediterranean sage populations can be found sporadically throughout most of Lassen and Modoc counties. Populations have also been documented in Siskiyou and Plumas counties. Populations in Lassen and Modoc appear to be spreading especially in areas that are overgrazed or areas with recent soil disturbance. BLM officials estimate existing populations on BLM land in Northeast California have doubled their range in the last 10 years, but population densities within the infested areas have remained static over the last 10 year period. Sources of information: Communication with Rob Wilson and David Lile, UCCE Farm Advisors Lassen County
Question 2.4 Innate reproductive potential? Assess the innate reproductive potential of this species. Worksheet A is provided for computing the score.	B Other Published Material
Describe key reproductive characteristics: Reproduces by seed. A single plant can produce between 50 and 100,000 seeds. Fresh seeds are dormant through an after-ripening period. Sources of information: Roche, Cindy T. and Wilson, Linda M. 1999. Mediterranean Sage. In: Sheley, Roger; Petroff, Janet., eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 261-270.
Question 2.5 Potential for human-caused dispersal? Assess whether this species is currently spread: or has high potential to be spread: by direct or indirect human activity. Such activity may enable the species to overcome natural barriers to dispersal that would not be crossed otherwise, or it may simply increase the natural dispersal of the species. Possible mechanisms for dispersal include: - commercial sales for use in agriculture, ornamental horticulture, or aquariums; - use as forage, erosion control, or revegetation; - presence as a contaminant (seeds or propagules) in bulk seed, hay, feed, soil, packing materials, etc.; - spread along transportation corridors such as highways, railroads, trails, or canals; - transport on boats or boat trailers. Select the one letter below that best describes human-caused dispersal and spread: A. High: there are numerous opportunities for dispersal to new areas. B. Moderate: human dispersal occurs, but not at a high level. C. Low: human dispersal is infrequent or inefficient. D. Does not occur. U. Unknown.	C Other Published Material
Identify dispersal mechanisms: Salvia aethiopis can spread along transportation corridors. Plants easily attach to vechicles and machinery. Seeds can also be spread with contaminated soil and hay. Sources of information: Roche, Cindy T. and Wilson, Linda M. 1999. Mediterranean Sage. In: Sheley, Roger; Petroff, Janet., eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 261-270.
Question 2.6 Potential for natural long-distance dispersal? We have chosen 1 km as the threshold of "long-distance." Assess whether this species is frequently spread, or has high potential to be spread, by animals or abiotic mechanisms that can move seed, roots, stems, or other propagules this far. The following are examples of such natural long-distance dispersal mechanisms: - the species' fruit or seed is commonly consumed by birds or other animals that travel long distances; - the species' fruits or seeds are sticky or burred and cling to feathers or hair of animals; - the species has buoyant fruits, seeds, or other propagules that are dispersed by flowing water; - the species has light propagules that promote long-distance wind dispersal; - The species, or parts of it, can detach and disperse seeds as they are blown long distances (e.g., tumbleweed). Select the one letter below that best describes natural long-distance dispersal and spread: A. Frequent long-distance dispersal by animals or abiotic mechanisms. B. Occasional long-distance dispersal by animals or abiotic mechanisms. C. Rare dispersal more than 1 km by animals or abiotic mechanisms. D. No dispersal of more than 1 km by animals or abiotic mechanisms. U. Unknown.	A Other Published Material
Identify dispersal mechanisms: Salvia aethiopis seed is commonly dispersed over long distances. The plant breaks off near the ground and becomes a tumbleweed slowly releasing seeds. Most sagebrush steppe locations have regular strong winds that aid this process. Wildlife (birds) also move the seed over long distances. Sources of information: Roche, Cindy T. and Wilson, Linda M. 1999. Mediterranean Sage. In: Sheley, Roger; Petroff, Janet., eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 261-270.
Question 2.7 Other regions invaded? Assess whether this species has invaded ecological types in other states or countries outside its native range that are analogous to ecological types not yet invaded in your state (see Worksheets B, C, and D for California, Arizona, and Nevada, respectively, in Part IV for lists of ecological types). This information is useful in predicting the likelihood of further spread within your state. Select the one letter below that best describes the species' invasiveness in other states or countries, outside its native range. A. This species has invaded 3 or more ecological types elsewhere that exist in your state and are as yet not invaded by this species (e.g. it has invaded Mediterranean grasslands, savanna, and maquis in southern Europe, which are analogous to California grasslands, savanna, and chaparral, respectively). B. Invades 1 or 2 ecological types that exist but are not yet invaded in your state. C. Invades elsewhere but only in ecological types that it has already invaded in the state. D. Not known as an escape anywhere else. U. Unknown.	B Other Published Material
Identify other regions: Salvia aethiopis is present in CA, OR, WA, ID, CO, NV, SD, and AR. In Oregon and CA, Salvia aethiopis is primarly a problem in big sagebrush steppe and juniper/sagebrush/bunchgrass plant communities. In Idaho, Salvia aethiopis grows in canyon grasslands and extends into ponderosa pine woodlands; it flourishes where native vegetation was replaced by exotic annual grasses and weedy forbs. In WA, Salvia aethiopis commonly grows in openings in ponderosa pine associated with snowberry, ninebark, and bluebunch wheatgrass. Andres et al. (1995) suggests that much of the Salmon and Snake River watersheds, Great Basin, and northern California are susceptible to Salvia aethiopis invasion. In other states, Salvia aethiopis is a problem in ponderosa pine woodlands and canyon grasslands, although it's rarely found in these plant communities in CA. Sources of information: Roche, Cindy T. and Wilson, Linda M. 1999. Mediterranean Sage. In: Sheley, Roger; Petroff, Janet., eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 261-270. Andres, L.A., E. Coombs, and JP McCaffrey. 1995. Mediterranean sage. IN: Biological Control in the western United States: Accomplishments and Benefits of Regional Research Project W-84. Berkeley, UC DANR Pub. 3361, 296-298.
Section 3: Distribution
Question 3.1 Ecological amplitude/Range? Refer to Worksheet C and select the one letter below that indicates the number of different ecological types that this species invades. A. Widespread: the species invades at least three major types or at least six minor types. B. Moderate: the species invades two major types or five minor types. C. Limited: the species invades only one major type and two to four minor types. D. Narrow: the species invades only one minor type. U. Unknown.	A Other Published Material
The earliest US record of Salvia aethiopis in the US is from roadsides in Susanville, CA in 1892. Salvia aethiopis primarly infests big sagebrush/bunchgrass, juniper/sagebrush/bunchgrass, and ponderosa pine/bitterbrush/bunchgrass plant communities. Sources of information: Roche, Cindy T. and Wilson, Linda M. 1999. Mediterranean Sage. In: Sheley, Roger; Petroff, Janet., eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 261-270.
Question 3.2 Distribution/Peak frequency? To assess distribution, record the letter that corresponds to the highest percent infested score entered in Worksheet C for any ecological type.	D Observational
Describe distribution: Sources of information: Observational - R. Wilson

Worksheet A - Innate reproductive potential

Reaches reproductive maturity in 2 years or less	Yes
Dense infestations produce >1,000 viable seed per square meter	Yes
Populations of this species produce seeds every year.	Yes
Seed production sustained over 3 or more months within a population annually	No
Seeds remain viable in soil for three or more years	Unknown
Viable seed produced with both self-pollination and cross-pollination	Unknown
Has quickly spreading vegetative structures (rhizomes, roots, etc.) that may root at nodes	No
Fragments easily and fragments can become established elsewhere	No
Resprouts readily when cut, grazed, or burned	Yes
Total points:	5
Total unknowns:	2
Total score:	B? Scoring Criteria for Worksheet A A. High reproductive potential (6 or more points). B. Moderate reproductive potential (4-5 points). C. Low reproductive potential (3 points or less and less than 3 Unknowns). U. Unknown (3 or fewer points and 3 or more Unknowns).

Related traits:

Worksheet B - Arizona Ecological Types is not included here

Worksheet C - California Ecological Types

(sensu Holland 1986)

Major Ecological Types	Minor Ecological Types	Code? A means >50% of type occurrences are invaded; B means 20% to 50%; C means 5% to 20%; D means present but <5%; U means unknown (unable to estimate percentage of occurrences invaded)
Marine Systems	marine systems
Freshwater and Estuarine	lakes, ponds, reservoirs
Aquatic Systems	rivers, streams, canals
Aquatic Systems	estuaries
Dunes	coastal
	desert
	interior
Scrub and Chaparral	coastal bluff scrub
	coastal scrub
	Sonoran desert scrub
	Mojavean desert scrub (incl. Joshua tree woodland)
	Great Basin scrub	D, < 5%
	chenopod scrub
	montane dwarf scrub
	Upper Sonoran subshrub scrub
	chaparral
Grasslands, Vernal Pools, Meadows, and other Herb Communities	coastal prairie
	valley and foothill grassland
	Great Basin grassland	D, < 5%
	vernal pool
	meadow and seep
	alkali playa
	pebble plain
Bog and Marsh	bog and fen
Bog and Marsh	marsh and swamp
Riparian and Bottomland habitat	riparian forest
	riparian woodland
	riparian scrub (incl.desert washes)
Woodland	cismontane woodland
	piñon and juniper woodland	D, < 5%
	Sonoran thorn woodland
Forest	broadleaved upland forest
	North Coast coniferous forest
	closed cone coniferous forest
	lower montane coniferous forest	D, < 5%
	upper montane coniferous forest
	subalpine coniferous forest
Alpine Habitats	alpine boulder and rock field
Alpine Habitats	alpine dwarf scrub
	Amplitude (breadth):	B
	Distribution (highest score):	D

Infested Jepson Regions

Click here for a map of Jepson regions

Cascade Range
Northwest
Sierra Nevada
Modoc Plateau

California Invasive Plant Council

Protecting California’s environment and economy from invasive plants

Plant Assessment Form

More Salvia aethiopis resources

Salvia aethiopis

Evaluator(s)

List committee members

General Comments

Table 2. Criteria, Section, and Overall Scores

Table 3. Documentation

Worksheet A - Innate reproductive potential

Related traits:

Worksheet C - California Ecological Types

Infested Jepson Regions