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Title: CISSUS SICYOIDES C. LINNAEUS (VITACEAE) A POTENTIAL EXOTIC PEST IN THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS

Author
item FRENCH, VICTOR - TX A&M UNIV. KINGSVILLE
item Everitt, James
item LONARD, ROBERT - UT-PAN AMERICAN

Submitted to: Subtropical Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2004
Publication Date: 12/15/2004
Citation: French, V.J., Everitt, J.H., Lonard, R.I. 2004. Cissus sicyoides c. linnaeus (vitaceae) a potential exotic pest in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Subtropical Plant Science. 55(1):72-74.

Interpretive Summary: Invasive species are an extremely big problem in the United States and cost its citizens over $100 billion annualy. Cissus sicyoides is an exotic vine native to tropical Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean that has recently been discovered in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas. A dense population of this exotic plant species has been located in native vegetation and in two adjacent citrus groves near Weslaco. This species engulfs other vegetation, appears to be invasive, and may pose a potential weed problem in citrus. This should be of interest to agricultural producers and weed control specialists.

Technical Abstract: Cissus sicyoides C. Linnaeus, a perennial vine native to tropical Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, has recently been discovered in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. A dense population of this exotic species has been located in a brushy area along a canal network and in two adjacent citrus groves near Weslaco. This species produces a dense mantle that covers other vegetation, appears to be invasive, and may pose a potential weed problem in citrus in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.