Plant Assessment Form

More Foeniculum vulgare resources

Foeniculum vulgare

Common Names: fennel; sweet fennel; sweet anise

Evaluated on: 6/6/05

List committee review date: 25/10/2017

Re-evaluation date:

Evaluator(s)

Elizabeth Brusati, project manager
California Invasive Plant Council
1442A Walnut St. #462, Berkeley, CA 94709
510-843-3902
edbrusati@cal-ipc.org

Jenn Erskine Ogden
Section of Evolution and Ecology, UC Davis
jaerskine@ucdavis.edu

List committee members

Joe DiTomaso
Alison Stanton
Joanna Clines
Cynthia Roye
Doug Johnson

General Comments

No general comments for this species

Table 2. Criteria, Section, and Overall Scores

Overall Score? Moderate

Alert Status? No Alert

Documentation? 3 out of 5

Score

Documentation

1.1

?Impact on abiotic ecosystem processes

A. Severe

Observational

Impact?
Four-part score ABCD Total Score
B

1.2

?Impact on plant community

B. Moderate

Other Published Material

1.3

?Impact on higher trophic levels

C. Minor

Other Published Material

1.4

?Impact on genetic integrity

D. None

Other Published Material

2.1

?Role of anthropogenic and natural disturbance in establishment

B. Moderate

Other Published Material

Invasiveness?
Total Points
12 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

C. Stable

Other Published Material

2.4

?Innate reproductive potential
(see Worksheet A)

A. High

Other Published Material

2.5

?Potential for human-caused dispersal

B. Moderate

Other Published Material

2.6

? Potential for natural long-distance dispersal

C. Rare

Other Published Material

2.7

?Other regions invaded

C. Already invaded

Other Published Material

3.1

?Ecological amplitude/Range
(see Worksheet C)

A. Widespread

Reviewed Scientific Publication

Distribution?
Total Score A

3.2

?Distribution/Peak frequency
(see Worksheet C)

B. Moderate

Other Published Material

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.	A Observational
Identify ecosystem processes impacted: Sources of information: E-mail from Rob Klinger, UC Davis, rcklinger@ucdavis.edu
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.	B Other Published Material
Identify type of impact or alteration: Once firmly established, it excludes almost all other vegetation. Established plants are competitive, and soil disturbance facilitates the development of dense stands, which can exclude native vegetation in some areas (2). The increase in vertical complexity when it invades grassland communities can increase seed input of native fleshy fruited species, but excludes many grassland species. (3,4) Sources of information: 1. Parsons W.T. 1973. Noxious Weeds of Victoria. Inkata Press, Melbourne. Pgs. 279-280 2.DiTomaso and Healy. 2006. Weeds of California. UC DANR Publ. #3488. 3. Brenton, R.K. and Klinger, R.C. 2002. Factors influencing the control of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) using triclopyr on Santa Cruz Island, California, USA. Natural Areas Journal 22: 135-147. 4. Erskine Ogden, J.A. and M. Rejmanek. 2005. Recovery of native plant communities after the control of a dominant invasive plant species, Foeniculum vulgare: Implications for management. Biological Conservation 125: 427-439.
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.	C Other Published Material
Identify type of impact or alteration: Not prefentially grazed by animals because of its strong odor although small plants/seedlings are controlled by grazers (1,3,4). Removal of fennel on Santa Cruz island increased abundance of sideblotched lizards but decreased abundance of southern alligator lizards (2, 5). Frugivorous bird diversity increases in fennel infested grasslands as the birds use the dead fennel stems as perches (6). Sources of information: 1. Parsons W.T. 1973. Noxious Weeds of Victoria. Inkata Press, Melbourne. Pgs. 279-280 2. Gibson, J. K. 2000. The presence of fennel affects the distribution of lizards on Santa Cruz Island. Cal-EPPC Symposium Proceeding. Vol. 6 (2000-02). pg.37 (you could also use her master's thesis at San Jose State) 3. Weeds of Australia (I believe the reference for this but don't have it at my house. 4. Erskine Ogden, J.A. personal observation 5. Gibson, J., G. Yost and S. Bros. 2005. Factors Influencing the Distribution and Abundance of Lizards Following the Removal of an Invasive Non-Native Weed on Santa Cruz Island. In Rejmanek, M., R. Thorp, S. Bros, W. Fox, S. Gleissman and J. Randall. Factors influencing diversity, composition, and assembly patterns of plant and animal commuties following the removal of an invasive exotic weed on Santa Cruz Island. Final Report to The Nature Conservancy. 6. Erskine Ogden, J.A. and M. Rejmanek. 2005. Recovery of native plant communities after the control of a dominant invasive plant species, Foeniculum vulgare: Implications for management. Biological Conservation 125: 427-439.
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.	D Other Published Material
none No native Foeniculum species. Sources of information: Hickman, J. C. (ed.) 1993. The Jepson Manual, Higher Plants of California. University of California Press. Berkeley, CA enter text here
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: Typically inhabits waste places, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. Usually found in areas that are so disturbed as to be of low ecological quality. Feral animal disturbance also promotes germination and spread (2,3). Also found in undisturbed sites. Sources of information:
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: In last 5 years has spread north east up Hwy 80 from Fairfield, CA, area to Vacaville, Davis, and northeastward (2). Sources of information:
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	C Other Published Material
Describe trend: Abundant, so probably not spreading much- following highway corridors and spreading both north and east. Sources of information:
Question 2.4 Innate reproductive potential? Assess the innate reproductive potential of this species. Worksheet A is provided for computing the score.	A Other Published Material
Describe key reproductive characteristics: Can reproduce from both crown and seeds. Seeds germinate at almost any time of year, but plants generally do not flower until they are 18 mo. to two years old. Seeds are produced during the summer and autumn and the flowering stems die back during winter to be replaced by new growth in late winter. Some stems stay alive towards the base and produce new leaves from nodes along the stems during the winter. Seed production is usually prolific. Seed production per plant is in the tens of thousands in its first year of growth (when reproduces) and hundreds of thousands in its second year of growth (3). Sources of information: 1. DiTomaso and Healy. 2006. Weeds of California. UC DANR Publ. #3488. 2. Parsons W.T. Noxious Weeds of Victoria. Inkata Press, Melbourne. Pgs. 279-280. 1973. 3. Erskine Ogden, J.A. 2004. Integrating ecology and conservation in an invasive species context: a case study using Foeniculum vulgare. Dissertation, University of California, Davis.
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.	B Other Published Material
Identify dispersal mechanisms: Can be spread by cultivation equipment or earth-moving machinery. Seeds can contaminate machinery, agricultural produce, livestock, and clothing (1). Sources of information: 1. Parsons W.T. 1973. Noxious Weeds of Victoria. Inkata Press, Melbourne. Pgs. 279-280.
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.	C Other Published Material
Identify dispersal mechanisms: Seeds disperse with water and animals but this is probably rare for long distance movement. Sources of information: Parsons W.T. Noxious Weeds of Victoria. Inkata Press, Melbourne. Pgs. 279-280. 1973.
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.	C Other Published Material
Identify other regions: Widely distributed throughout temperate regions of the world, including New Zealand, Australia, the British Isles, and North America, usually as a weed of waste places and roadsides. Also considered a weedy species in non-native areas of Europe and the Mediterranean region. Scoring as C because already abundant in California. Sources of information: Parsons W.T. Noxious Weeds of Victoria. Inkata Press, Melbourne. Pgs. 279-280. 1973.
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 Reviewed Scientific Publication
On Santa Cruz Island, invades grasslands, coastal sage, and chaparral. Generally not successful invading chaparral but can extend at least 10m into coastal sage from invaded grasslands (1).Fennel invades grasslands, riparian areas, and other natural communities, particularly in coastal regions of Central and Southern California. Quite common along roadsides (2). Naturalized in 1880's on mainland and by 1997 on Santa Cruz Island (3). Sources of information: 1. Beatty S.W., Licari D.L. 1992. Invasion of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Into Shrub Communities on Santa Cruz Island, California. Madrono 39(1): 54-66. 2. DiTomaso and Healy. 2006. Weeds of California. UC DANR Publ. #3488. 3. Greene, E. 1887. Studies of the botany of California and parts adjacent, VI. Notes on the botany of Santa Cruz Island. Bulletin of the California Academy of Sciences 2: 377-418.
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.	B Other Published Material
Describe distribution: Most common throughout low elevation areas of California, except Great Basin and desert regions (1). Much more common along the coast in Southern and Central California as well as the Bay Area (2). Beginning to proliferate in more central regions following the Hwy 80 and 5 corridors (3). Sources of information: 1. DiTomaso and Healy. 2006. Weeds of California. UC DANR Publ. #3488. 2. Joe DiTomaso, Weed Science Program, UC Davis, observational. 3. Erskine Ogden, J., personal observation

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	Yes
Seeds remain viable in soil for three or more years	Yes
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:	8
Total unknowns:	1
Total score:	A? 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	B, 20% - 50%
	coastal scrub	B, 20% - 50%
	Sonoran desert scrub
	Mojavean desert scrub (incl. Joshua tree woodland)
	Great Basin scrub
	chenopod scrub
	montane dwarf scrub
	Upper Sonoran subshrub scrub
	chaparral	D, < 5%
Grasslands, Vernal Pools, Meadows, and other Herb Communities	coastal prairie	B, 20% - 50%
	valley and foothill grassland	C, 5% - 20%
	Great Basin grassland
	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	D, < 5%
	riparian scrub (incl.desert washes)	D, < 5%
Woodland	cismontane woodland
	piñon and juniper woodland
	Sonoran thorn woodland
Forest	broadleaved upland forest
	North Coast coniferous forest
	closed cone coniferous forest
	lower montane coniferous forest
	upper montane coniferous forest
	subalpine coniferous forest
Alpine Habitats	alpine boulder and rock field
Alpine Habitats	alpine dwarf scrub
	Amplitude (breadth):	A
	Distribution (highest score):	B

Infested Jepson Regions

Click here for a map of Jepson regions

CA Floristic Province
Cascade Range
Central West
Great Valley
Northwest
Sierra Nevada
Southwest
Sierra Nevada East
Desert Province
Mojave Desert
Sonoran Desert