Mating strategies shape tropical plants' invasive ability

Ability To Reproduce On Its Own Helps Plant Species To Become Invasive, Study Finds

Invasive plant species are non-native organisms that spread aggressively, displacing local flora, altering local ecosystems and reducing biodiversity.

Mating strategies shape tropical plants' invasive ability

A recent study from the Center for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has found strong evidence that a plant's ability to reproduce on its own—through self-fertilization—is one of the key traits that helps it become invasive. The findings are published in the journal Biological Invasions.

How Self-Fertilisation Drives Plant Invasions: IISc Study Reveals Key Trait

A recent study by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has identified self-fertilisation, or uniparental reproduction, as a critical trait enabling plants to become invasive. Researchers examined 28 species from the daisy family, finding that all 11 invasive species studied could reproduce uniparentally, unlike most native and non-invasive alien species. This ability allows a single plant to establish new populations, displacing lo…