First Record of Milk thistle (Silybum marianum, Asteraceae) as Invasive Weed Species in Urban Green Areas of Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia
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Abstract
With increasing globalization and trade, the rate of invasive species entering and spreading has significantly increased globally. These include various invasive insect pests, pathogens, and weeds. Since three years ago, Milk thistle, Silybum marianum, an invasive weed species, has been observed widely in urban green spaces and roadsides in Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia. Weed surveys were conducted across 42 urban green sites located in Yeka, Lemi Kura, Bole, Nifas Silk-Lafto, Kolfie Keraniyo, Akaky Kality, and Gullele sub-cities during the main rainy season from June to September 2023, with the main objective of determining the current distribution of the weed in Addis Ababa city. The urban green areas were selected by using purposive sampling techniques. Field observations confirmed that Silybum marianum can invade and colonize wide habitats and is a highly competitive invasive weed to other important native plant species. High weed density rates and dense stands of weeds were recorded in the 34 urban green areas sampled. The survey result strongly suggests fast integrated weed management options such as mowing/tilling, weeding before the plant goes to seed, cutting (stems and/or seed heads), and burning (collected plant parts and/or seed heads) into a prepared burrow were done to minimize the spreading of the weed and its ecological impacts. The purpose of this survey study is to provide information about Silybum marianum to minimize or avoid its distribution and associated impacts by following sustainable invasive weed management programs in the city before spreading to other cities in the country.
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