Reseda phyteuma L. (Medit.) – A very rare and ephemeral alien. Probably first collected in the port of Antwerpen in 1903. In 1909 and 1942 also seen on rough ground in Berchiwez (Virton) and Heusy. At least the first record is associated with grain importation. All recent records also obviously represent grain aliens: Reseda phyteuma was recorded by a roadside in Deinze in 1995 and at the Ghent Grain Terminal in the port of Gent in 1996 (Verloove & Vandenberghe 1996) and on rough ground in the port of Roeselare in 2002. In 1996 it was also recorded on several occasions in the port of Antwerpen, for instance in relative abundance on a sand raised site (former 1st Havendok). Perhaps most recently seen in an abandoned railway yard in Essen in 2005.
Reseda phyteuma and R. odorata are much alike and easily confused (both with pendulous capsules and similar leaves). They are best distinguished on capsule and filament characters (see key). Also, Reseda phyteuma seems to be an accidental introduction in Belgium (agricultural weed), while R. odorata always seems to be deliberately introduced (ornamental).
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Selected literature:
Henrard J.Th. (1918) Bijdrage tot de kennis der Nederlandsche adventiefflora. Nederl. Kruidk. Arch. 1918: 181-205.
Martín-Bravo S. & Jiménez-Mejías P. (2009) Molecular data helps traditional taxonomy: re-evaluation of Reseda collina (Resedaceae), and a new record for Europe. Folia Geobotanica 44: 399-421. [available online at: http://www.academia.edu/1158445/Molecular_Data_Helps_Traditional_Taxonomy_Re-evaluation_of_Reseda_collina_Resedaceae_and_a_New_Record_for_Europe]
Towpasz K. & Kotańska M. (1999) Nowe stanowisko Reseda phyteuma (Resedaceae) w Polsce. (A new locality for Reseda phyteuma (Resedaceae) in Poland.). Fragm. Flor. Geobot. 6: 284-286.
Verloove F. & Vandenberghe C. (1996) Nieuwe en interessante voederadventieven voor de Belgische flora, hoofdzakelijk in 1995. Dumortiera 66: 11-32. [available online at: http://alienplantsbelgium.be/sites/alienplantsbelgium.be/files/dum66p11.pdf]