The walking of Salpichroa origanifolia in Pisa city and surroundings and its dispersal by birds

Salpichroa origanifolia (Lam.) Baill. (Solanaceae) is native to South America and it is well known as an invasive species. It is present in Africa, North America, Australia and Europe. This species is a fruticose chamaephyte, scrambling sub-shrub. It has been abundantly described as an expanding species in the Canton of Ticino. In Italy it is widespread in almost all regions. For Tuscany it is reported as naturalized, but we believe it could be defined as invasive. Several observations are reported for Tuscany. Its presence has been known in the province of Pisa since 1981. According to Wikiplantbase#Tuscany (http://bot.biologia.unipi.it/wpb/toscana/index) has been widespread in the region since 1999 and it is found in the provinces of Florence (municipalities of Castelfiorentino, Fiesole, Florence), Grosseto (Castiglione della Pescaia), Livorno (Livorno, Rosignano Marittimo), Lucca (Pietrasanta), Massa Carrara (Massa, Montignoso), Pisa (Pisa, San Giuliano Terme, Tirrenia). It colonizes very different environments (synanthropic areas, vegetable gardens, canals, roadsides, thermophilic woods, holm oak woods with stone pine Pinus pinea L., etc.). The introduction of S. origanifolia is usually due to cultivation, but it is also caused by animals. In and around Pisa it is found along roads and in anthropic environments. Its distribution and development are strictly related to the ruderal environment, where the plant can suffocate even tall trees (see Tirrenia); birds are thought to be responsible for its spread. Birds are known to play a key role in the dispersal of the species. The involvement of some species of passerine birds, such as Zonotrichia capensis and Poospiza whitii, has been highlighted in studies conducted in the South American countries of origin of S. origanifolia. Seeds of the plant were found in the faeces of these birds, and their germinability was confirmed. Occasional observations relating to the city of Pisa proved this attitude in the Italian Sparrow Passer italiae and the Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus. Further studies are underway to determine which bird species are attracted to S. origanifolia fruits, in addition to those mentioned.