Title: An invader at the edge of the world: Sporobolus neglectus (Poaceae) discovered at a remote locality in Hungary

Abstract

In 2016, Sporobolus neglectus, a new alien grass species of North American origin has been recognized in Hungary in a particular situation: within a widely isolated part of the Duna–Drava National Park. Th e locality is situated S of Vizvar village on the right bank of the Drava River in the territory “Jama”, encompassed (excluding the eastern side bordered by Drava) from all directions by Croatian territories. S. neglectus composed a dense stand on 0.2 hectares in a secondary sandy grassland, its dominance is likely supported by the damages caused by wild boar. Th e establishment of the species in Jama territory is not in accordance with the inundations of the Drava River; also an accidental introduction from the Hungarian mainland seems to be very unlikely. Th e stand of S. neglectus was introduced here probably in connection with wild game feeding made by illegal hunters coming from Croatia. In view of the locality near Vizvar, the species is able to colonize barren sandy surfaces in mass; accordingly, it is a potential invader in the dry sandy grasslands of Hungary, especially in the neighbouring Belső-Somogy region.