Abstract
Seeds, bulbs, and cuttings of exotic plant species, including plants cultivated exclusively as ornamentals, were being advertised for sale in printed circulars in the United States by 1800. By the end of the 19th century seed trade catalogs were prolific and often listed dozens of exotic species that were already naturalized in the U.S. or new introductions from foreign suppliers. Among the species routinely offered for sale were many now considered noxious (e.g.,Berberis vulgaris, Eichhornia crassipes, Isatis tinctoria) or at least undesirable (e.g.,Cannabis sativa, Eleusine indica, Lysimachia nummularia). This commerce was not only responsible for the introduction and spread of some species earlier than previously recognized (e.g.,Bryonia alba, Schinus terebinthifolius) but also caused the deliberate distribution of other species assumed to have been spread by accident alone (e.g.,Aegilops cylindrica, Bromus briziformis, Bromus mollis). Seedsmen’s introduction of substantial genetic variation through repeated introductions, inadvertent directional selection for local races in their gardens, their widespread use of seeds (compared to cuttings or non-fertile plant material), and the sowing of seeds at high density under cultivation all enhanced the opportunity for eventual naturalizations. The largely unrecognized proliferation of this industry in the 19th century and the ready access that consumers had to these species via mail order contributed to the rapid and extensive dissemination of at least 139 alien species throughout the United States.
Résumé
Samen, Zwiebeln, und Stecklinge von exotischen Pflanzenarten, inklusive Pflanzen, die man ausschliesslich als Zierpflanzen kultivierte, wurden schon um 1800 durch Rundschreiben in den USA zum Verkauf angeboten. Zum Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts waren Samenhandelskataloge weitverbeitet undfuehrten oft Dutzende von exotischen Arten, die sich schon in den USA heimisch gemacht hatten, oder neues Material von auslaendischen Lieferanten. Unter den Arten, die ueblicherweise zum Verkauf angeboten wurden, befanden sich nun viele, die heute als schaedlich (z.B.Berberis vulgaris, Eichhornia crassipes, Isatis tinctoria) oder wenigstens als unerwuenscht (z.B.Cannabis sativa, Eleusine indica, Lysimachia nummularia) angesehen werden. Dieser Handel war nicht nur verantwortlich fuer die Einfuerung und Verbreitung mancher Arten zu einem frueheren Zeitpunkt als bisher vermutet (z.B.Bryonia alba, Schinus terebinthifolius), sondern verursachte ebenso die absichtliche Verbreitung anderer Arten, von denen man annahm, dass sie lediglich durch Zufall verbreitet wurden (z.B.Aegilops cylindrica, Bromus briziformis, Bromus mollis). Der Anstoss zu wesentlicher genetischer Variation durch wiederholte Einfuhr durch Samenhaendler, unbeabsichtigte natuerliche Auslese von lokalen Arten in ihren Gaerten, der weitverbreiteter Gebrauch von Samen (im Gegensatz zu Stecklingen oder anderen Arten der vegetativen Vermehrung), sowie dem dichten Saeen von Samen im Anbau, dies alles erhoehte die Gelegenheit zur schliesslicher Naturalisierung. Die weitgehend unerkannte Ausbreitung dieser Industrie im 19. Jahrhundert und der leichte Zugang, den Kunden zu diesen Pflanzenarten per Postversand hatten, trugen zur raschen und ausgedehnten Verbreitung von mindestens 139 fremden Arten in den ganzen USA bei.
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Mack, R.N. The commercial seed trade: An early disperser of weeds in the United States. Econ Bot 45, 257–273 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02862053
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02862053