O PRÍNCIPE DO LÍBANO/O cedro-do-Buçaco
Previous | Home | Next

Family: Cupressaceae

Cupressus lusitanicus is a North American tree (to c. 30m tall) with blue-green, waxy foliage and reddish-brown bark. The plant produces seed cones which are about 1.5cm diameter and very waxy. It is reported to have a rapid growth rate (Maro et al. 1991). Reproduction occurs via wind-blown seed. This tree is grown in many countries as a garden ornamental and in commercial forestry plantations throughout the tropical and temperate world, including Australia. Hnatiuk (1990) listed the plant as being naturalised in Queensland and Carr et al. (1992) recorded the plant as having established localised populations in riparian vegetation in Victoria. Carr et al. (1992) consider the plant to pose a potential threat to one or more vegetation formations in Victoria. When grown in plantations, the plant may cause significant changes to levels of organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable sodium and pH of the soil (Maro et al. 1991).

In Ethiopia, natural forest soil was found to have a higher content of total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable calcium compared to soils associated with plantations of C. lusitanicus (Michelsen et al. 1996). Michelsen et al. (1996) reported a much lower diversity and cover of herbaceous plants growing in plantations of C. lusitanicus, compared to a natural forest. The authors recommend that C. lusitanicus should not be planted because of the risk of soil erosion. Strusaker et al. (1989) in Chapman and Chapman (1996) reported significant levels of dieback in some tropical rainforest species down slope of conifer plantations and suggest that conifers should not be established in proximity to natural tropical forests.

In: http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/potential/appendix-b-c.html