New records of alien plant species rare in the Russian Arctic (Murmansk region, NW Russia)

Abstract

This paper deals with new records of both unintentionally introduced (Bromus japonicus, Cichorium intybus, Iva xanthiifolia, Onobrychis viciifolia) and escaped (Hylotelephium telephium) vascular plant species that are rare in the Russian Arctic. Three of them (B. japonicus, H. telephium, and O. viciifolia) are novel for the alien flora of the city of Murmansk. The data were obtained by the author during fieldwork in Murmansk municipal region in 2018. Geographical coordinates, a description of the location, habitats, quantity characteristic, vegetative stage of the species are listed for every occurrence. The information about general distribution, life form characteristics, the primary origin of the species is compiled as well. Proposal pathways of the introduction of the reported aliens are established. Regarding the invasion status, all presented aliens are considered to be casual.