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Neophytes in the 'Kurpfalz' (region around Mannheim and Heidelberg)


The 'Kurpfalz', i.e. the region around the cities Mannheim and Heidelberg in Southwest Germany, is located in the Upper Rhine Valley, and blessed with warm climate. Many neophytic plants have immigrated or been introduced there. 'Neophytic' and 'adventive plants' are wild plants, which were not originally growing there, but immigrated or were introduced since 1492. 'Neophytic' means those of the immigrated or introduced plants, which are able to adapt to the climatic and other conditions, and last permanently. The more general term 'adventive plant' is used for any plant which arrives newly, even if it isn't able to last. Plants which immigrated or have been introduced earlier than 1492 are called 'archaeophytes', but these are not the theme of this page. Many of the neophytic plants which are still available today have been introduced from the Mediterranean or other continents by trading ships in the second half of the 19th century, and grew first at river harbors and railway territories. Beneath these neophytic species, which have been introduced without intention, there are others which have been introduced intentionally as ornamental or useful plants, but ran wild later. Some of these latter neophytic species cause problems for the native flora, because they oust weaker native plants. At least if this happens in nature reserves, measures have to be taken to protect the native variety of species.
Dittrichia graveolens / Stinking Fleabane Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Remarkable many of the neophytic plants are Composites: Left: The Stinking Fleabane Dittrichia graveolens has been introduced from the Mediterranean. Right: The white flowering Diffuse Knapweed Centaurea diffusa originates from the areas of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. In the regions of Mannheim and Karlsruhe it can today be regarded as naturalized. Very similar plants with lilac flowers are usually hybrids with Panicled Knapweed Centaurea stoebe. Row below: Both the Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia, which has fallen into disrepute due to its allergy-producing pollen, and the smaller Perennial Ragweed Ambrosia coronopifolia, originate from North America, as well as the tall Giant Ragweed Ambrosia trifida. The latter has become very rare in Mannheim, only in 2011 I managed to find one at the industrial port. These plants have many male blossoms, whose pollen the wind carries to the few and small female blossoms.	Centaurea diffusa / Diffuse Knapweed Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Ambrosia artemisiifolia / Ragweed Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Ambrosia coronopifolia / Perennial Ragweed Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Ambrosia trifida / Giant Ragweed Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Iva xanthiifolia / Marsh Elder Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Left: Of the Marsh Elder Iva xanthiifolia, which has been introduced from North America, I still know only one current site at Viernheim. Its propagation works similar to that of the Ambrosia species. The leaves show a remarkable similarity with those of the Cockleburs, on which the latin name is pointing. Right: The Riverside Cocklebur Xanthium albinum shall have developed in Europe from species, which had been introduced from America ! In the region of Mannheim it can be regarded as naturalized.	Xanthium albinum / Riverside Cocklebur Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Bidens frondosa / Devil's Beggartick Asteraceae / Composite Fam. Above: Devil's Beggartick Bidens frondosa originates from North America. It likes damp places, and is naturalized and not rare along the big rivers Rhine and Neckar.	Helianthus annuus / Sunflower Asteraceae / Composite Fam. Above: Again and again the Sunflower which originates from America runs wild from birdseed, but ist doesn't establish itself steady. Right: The Jerusalem Artichoke Helianthus tuberosus, which has formerly been cultivated as 'Sweet Potato', has run wild mainly along the big rivers. It has been introduced from North America.	Helianthus tuberosus / Jerusalem Artichoke Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Right: Since the 19th century the two 'Soldiers' Galinsoga ciliata and Galinsoga parviflora are spreading in Southern Germany. Since in those times Germany and France were enimies, and the plants arrived from Western direction, one of their German names could be translated as "French Weed". But in reality they originate from the South American Andes.	Galinsoga ciliata / Shaggy Soldier Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Galinsoga parviflora / Gallant Soldier Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Guizotia abyssinica / Niger, Gingelli Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Left: Niger Guizotia abyssinica is an important useful plant in Africa, where its seed is eaten. I found it at Mannheim on a soil depot and also in front of a shop for animal aliment. Below and right: Naturally also the wide-spread large Goldenrods Solidago canadensis and Solidago gigantea are available in the 'Kurpfalz' region, introduced from North America. In suitable biotopes they are going to displace the native flora, since they have few natural enemies. Solidago gigantea / Giant Goldenrod Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Solidago canadensis / Canadian Goldenrod Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Bottom: The Eastern Groundsel Senecio vernalis originates from the sand steppes of South-East Europe and Western Asia, and reached Central Europe in the 19th century. Senecio vernalis / Eastern Groundsel Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Bottom: There are many native Ragworts and Groundsels, but the Narrow-Leaved Ragwort Senecio inaequidens originates from South Africa. Via stopovers in the Mediterranean where it had already been introduced in the 40's of the 20th century, it arrived in Central Europe in the 80's. Senecio inaequidens / Narrow-Leaved Ragwort Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Bottom: The Common Blanket Flower Gaillardia aristata which seems to have escaped from a flower bed has run wild in the Rhine port of Ludwigshafen and reproduces steadily. Gaillardia aristata / Common Blanket Flower Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Crepis setosa / Bristly Hawk's-Beard Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Left: The Bristly Hawk's-Beard Crepis setosa is not rare on the sandy soils of the Rhein-Neckar region. It originates from the Eastern Mediterranean.
Achillea filipendulina / Fernleaf Yarrow Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Left: Fernleaf Yarrow Achillea filipendulina which originates from Caucasus has spread at Mannheim from a planting to adjacent marginal strips and pavement gaps. Right: The Mexican Fleabane Erigeron karvinskianus, a plant coming from Mexico, grows in a court in the city of Mannheim.	Erigeron karvinskianus / Mexican Fleabane Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Erigeron bonariensis / Argentine Fleabane Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	In Ludwigshafen Erigeron sumatrensis can be found beneath Erigeron bonariensis. Both originate from South America. Erigeron sumatrensis / Tall Fleabane Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Erigeron canadensis / Canadian Fleabane Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
The plants of the next row originate from North America. The distribution of the American Daisies mainly along the big rivers and the determination of their exact species aren't well investigated yet, not only in the 'Kurpfalz'. Of several closely related species occurring here only two examples are shown in the left and middle photos below. The Canadian Fleabane Erigeron canadensis (top right) and the Tall Fleabane Erigeron annuus (bottom right) are both wide spread and available in extremely big numbers.
Symphyotrichum x salignum / Glaucous Michaelmas Daisy, Smooth Blue Aster = Symphyotrichum lanceolatum x novi-belgii Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Symphyotrichum novi-belgii / Michaelmas Daisy, New York Aster Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Erigeron annuus / Tall Fleabane Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Artemisia repens / Creeping Wormwood Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Artemisia scoparia / Redstem Wormwood, Virgate Sagebrush Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Artemisia annua / Annual Wormwood Asteraceae / Composite Fam.
Artemisia verlotiorum / Chinese Mugwort Asteraceae / Composite Fam.	Top middle: From the Balcans to Asia occurs the Redstem Wormwood Artemisia scoparia. At a soil depot near Viernheim a strong plant was growing in 2008 which unfortunately I saw only in faded state. Top left: The Creeping Wormwood Artemisia repens originates from the steppes of Eastern Europe and Asia. It can be found in the nature reserve Pferdstriebdüne near Sandhausen and in the Viernheim Heath. Top right: Also from South-East Europe and Western Asia comes the bright green, smelling Annual Wormwood Artemisia annua. In 2011 one stem was growing at a soil depot in the North of Mannheim. Left: The Chinese Mugwort Artemisia verlotiorum has been introduced from East Asia with other plants. The sites in Heidelberg, which I know, are on waste land. But for the farmers of the Bodensee island of Reichenau it turned out as a serious weed.
The plants of the next four rows are naturalized at the Mannheim industrial port since years. Most of them have been introduced with foreign feeding stuff:
Symphyotrichum subulatum / Annual Saltmarsh Aster, Baby's Breath Aster Asteraceae / Composite Fam. Origin: South America	Anthemis ruthenica / Russian Chamomile Asteraceae / Composite Fam. Origin: Eastern Europe	Anthemis austriaca / Austrian Chamomile Asteraceae / Composite Fam. Origin: South-Eastern Europe
Anchusa officinalis subsp. procera / Tall Bugloss Boraginaceae / Borrage Fam. Origin: Mediterranean	Melilotus indicus / Small Melilot Fabaceae / Legumes Origin: Asia	Cuscuta campestris / Yellow Dodder Convolvulaceae / Bindweed Fam. Origin: South-Eastern North-America The host is here Sand Lucerne Medicago x varia
Cyperus esculentus / Chufa, Yellow Nut Sedge Cyperaceae / Sedge Fam. Origin: Mediterranean to Asia	Aegilops cylindrica / Jointed Goatgrass Poaceae / Grass Fam. Origin: Mediterranean to Asia	Sorghum halepense / Johnson Grass Poaceae / Grass Fam.
Amaranthus rudis / Water Hemp Amaranthaceae / Amaranth Fam. female Origin: North America	Amaranthus rudis / Water Hemp Amaranthaceae / Amaranth Fam. male	Solanum carolinense / Carolina Horsenettle Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam. Origin: South-Eastern USA
Lycium chinense / China Tea-Plant Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam.	Both Thorn Apple Datura stramonium (right) from Central America and the China Tea-Plant Lycium chinense (left) from China are attractive plants of the Nightshade family, which were imported as garden plants. The similar Duke of Argyll's Tea-Plant Lycium barbarum has been planted at road sides in big amounts in order to fix the soil. The Ground-Cherry Nightshade Solanum nitidibaccatum which is shown on the right below photo, differs from the native Black Nightshade by stronger pilosity, bright green leaves, and glossy green berries with bigger petals. I found it in a maize field and on sandy wasteland. The Saracha Nightshade Solanum sarachoides from South America on the photo below has longer petals around the green berries, sticky pilosity and an unpleasant smell. I found the Saracha Nightshade at several sites in Mannheim.	Datura stramonium / Thorn Apple Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam.
Solanum villosum / Wooly Nightshade Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam.	Solanum sarachoides / Saracha Nightshade Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam.	Solanum nitidibaccatum / Ground-Cherry Nightshade, Hairy Nightshade Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam.
Above: The Wooly Nightshade Solanum villosum, has bright red berries and a strong pilosity. It came from South America and was found in Heidelberg. In the past it had been mentioned for several locations in the region, but usually it stayed only few years as long as the soil was open.	Right: The Sticky Nightshade Solanum sisymbriifolium has eatable red fruits. Nevertheless it is rarely grown, because the whole plant including the rips of the leaves is very spiny including the rips of the leaves. After the floodwater 2013 I found one stem of the South American plant at the bank of the Neckar near Mannheim.	Solanum sisymbriifolium / Sticky Nightshade, Lychee Tomato Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam.
The plants in the following row have been found on a soil depot in Mannheim. Some of these are useful or ornamental plants which run wild:
Solanum triflorum / Small Nightshade Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam. Origin: North America.	Persicaria orientalis / Oriental Smartweed, Oriental Knotweed Polygonaceae / Knotweed Fam. Origin: Southern Asia	Panicum miliaceum subsp. miliaceum / Common Millet Poaceae / Grass Fam. Origin: Asia
Chamaesyce maculata / Spotted Spurge, Spotted Sandmat Euphorbiaceae / Spurge Fam. Here the Spotted Spurge Chamaesyce maculata grows mainly on the gravel paths of cemeteries. It is a small plant, its leaves are only 5 to 9 mm long. Its origin is North America.	Chamaesyce humifusa / Trailing Spurge Euphorbiaceae / Spurge Fam. Similar is the Trailing Spurge Chamaesyce humifusa. Its leaves have no dark spot. It was imported from Asia.	Chamaesyce serpens / Matted Sandmat, Creeping Spurge Euphorbiaceae / Spurge Fam. In the city of Heidelberg e.g. you can find a third species, the Matted Sandmat Chamaesyce serpens which comes from America.
Euphorbia lathyris / Caper Spurge Euphorbiaceae / Spurge Fam. The Caper Spurge Euphorbia lathyris originates from Asia and the Mediterranean. Because it is said that it drives voles and moles away, it is grown in gardens, from where it often runs wild.	Euphorbia characias / Large Mediterranean Spurge Euphorbiaceae / Spurge Fam. In the most western part of the Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Path) the Large Mediterranean Spurge Euphorbia characias is growing at the edge of the road, which is certainly a garden escape.	Euphorbia marginata / Variegated Spurge, White-Margined Spurge Euphorbiaceae / Spurge Fam. The Variegated Spurge Euphorbia marginata which is grown as an ornamental plant and which reproduced on a soil depot near Mannheim, has been introduced from Mexico.
Phytolacca americana / Pokeberry Phytolaccaceae / Pokeweed Fam. The Pokeberry Phytolacca americana whose origin from North America can already be seen in its latin name, has a horizontal inflorescence, but later the heavier fruit hangs downward. In contrast to that the Pokeweed Phytolacca esculenta, whose inflorescence and fruits are upright, comes from Eastern Asia.	Phytolacca americana / Pokeberry Phytolaccaceae / Pokeweed Fam.	Phytolacca esculenta / Pokeweed Phytolaccaceae / Pokeweed Fam.
Impatiens parviflora / Small Balsam Balsaminaceae / Balsam Fam.	Left: Since about 1830 the Small Balsam Impatiens parviflora from Asia came into wout woods, where it is area-wide available today. Right: The Indian Balsam Impatiens glandulifera has been introduced about 1840 from the Himalayas to England as feeding plant for honey bees. Since then it distributed at wet places almost all over Europe and displaces the native flora.	Impatiens glandulifera / Indian Balsam Balsaminaceae / Balsam Fam.
Also neophytic species like Hybrid Knodweed Fallopia x bohemica, one of its parents, Japanese Knodweed Fallopia japonica and Russian Vine Fallopia baldschuanica, which have been introduced as ornamental plants, are wide-spread now not only in the 'Kurpfalz'. Where one of these three plants occurs the native flora is very endangered to be displaced.
Fallopia x bohemica / Hybrid Knodweed = Fallopia japonica x sachalinensis Polygonaceae / Knotweed Fam.	Fallopia japonica / Japanese Knodweed Polygonaceae / Knotweed Fam.	Fallopia baldschuanica / Russian Vine Polygonaceae / Knotweed Fam.
Many of the foreign ornamental plants, which the city gardener departments are using for amenity planting today, are able to reproduce in our climate. As always more new plants come into fashion, there is a risk that the number of neophytes will be dramatically increased soon, which can have incalculable consequences for the native nature. The next two rows show some of these plants, which e.g. in Weinheim (Bergstrasse, Southern Germany) already have run wild.
Panicum virgatum / Switch Grass Poaceae / Grass Fam. Origin: North America	Pycnanthemum pilosum / Hairy Mountain Mint Lamiaceae / Mint Fam. Origin: North America	Solidago macrophylla ? / Largeleaf Goldenrod Asteraceae / Composite Fam. Origin: North America
Oenothera lindheimeri / Bee Blossom, Whirling Butterflies Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam. Origin: North America	Callistephus chinensis / China Aster Asteraceae / Composite Fam. Origin: China	Eschscholzia californica / California Poppy Papaveraceae / Poppy Fam. Origin: USA
Verbascum chaixii forma album / Nettle-Leaved Mullein Scrophulariaceae / Figwort Fam. Origin: Western Mediterranean	Verbascum speciosum / Hungarian Mullein Scrophulariaceae / Figwort Fam. Origin: Southeast Europe	Abutilon theophrasti / Velvet Leaf, Flowering Maple Malvaceae / Mallow Fam.

Urtica membranacea / Large-Leaved Nettle Urticaceae / Nettle Fam. Large-Leaved Nettle Urtica membranacea which is not rare in the Mediterranean has been found in the City of Mannheim.	Caryopteris x clandonensis / Clandon Bluebeard, Blue Mist Spiraea = Caryopteris incana x mongholica Verbenaceae / Verbena Fam. At the abandoned switch yard at Mannheim the Bluebeard ran wild from a planting.	Leonurus marrubiastrum / Horehound Motherwort, Biennial Motherwort Lamiaceae / Mint Fam. The Horehound Motherwort Leonurus marrubiastrum can be found at the inlet to the Mannheim industrial port since many years. Home of the plant are Eastern Europe and Asia.
The plants in the next row have been found on soil depots in Heidelberg-Pfaffengrund on the site of a former freight train terminal. In the last years the first two of these can often be seen as green of traffic islands, the third one is a garden escape.
Scabiosa ochroleuca / Yellow Scabious Dipsacaceae / Teasel Fam.	Clinopodium einseleanum / Einsele's Calamint Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.	Clematis tangutica / Golden Clematis Ranunculaceae / Buttercup Fam.
In this row you can find some introduced Umbellifers. Pimpinella peregrina / Southern Burnet Saxifrage Apiaceae / Umbellifers Southern Burnet Saxifrage Pimpinella peregrina, which originates from the western Mediterranean, is currently about to establish in southern Germany.	The Bur Chervil Anthriscus caucalis is not rare on the Friesenheimer Insel near Mannheim. It came from the Mediterranean. Anthriscus caucalis / Bur Chervil Apiaceae / Umbellifers	The Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum, which has been introduced from the Caucasus as an ornamental plant, grows taller than a man and if it is touched it can cause burnings on the skin. For this reason people combat against stems of this species which ran wild. Heracleum mantegazzianum / Giant Hogweed Apiaceae / Umbellifers
In the following three rows you find some introduced Crucifers. The Least Pepperwort Lepidium virginicum is only an example for several Pepperwort species which have been introduced from America. Lepidium virginicum / Least Pepperwort Brassicaceae / Crucifers	Lunaria annua / Honesty Brassicaceae / Crucifers Honesty Lunaria annua, a favourite garden plant, runs often wild. Its origin is Southern Europe.	The Warty Cabbage Bunias orientalis, which has been introduced with seed, came from Armenia and South-East Europe. Bunias orientalis / Warty Cabbage Brassicaceae / Crucifers
Armoracia rusticana / Horse Radish Brassicaceae / Crucifers The Horse Radish Armoracia rusticana is a useful plant which has tun wild. Its native place is the Don - Wolga region of Russia.	The False London Rocket coming from Eastern Europe to Central Asia isn't rare near Mannheim. Its flower starts in may, but most of the plants are in flower in September. Sisymbrium loeselii / False London Rocket Brassicaceae / Crucifers	Sisymbrium orientale / Eastern Rocket Brassicaceae / Crucifers The Eastern Rocket originates from the Russian Steppe. At the warehouses of the Mannheim Rhine port it has abundant sites.
Lepidium draba / Hoary Cress Brassicaceae / Crucifers Above: The Hoary Cress Lepidium draba has been introduced from the Mediterranean and Asia in the 18th century. It has been widely distributed in Central Europe when the railways were built in the 19th century.	Lobularia maritima / Sweet Alison Brassicaceae / Crucifers Above: Sweet Alison Lobularia maritima has been imported from the western Mediterranean as a garden flower. At some places it runs wild here.	Lepidium didymum / Lesser Swine Cress Brassicaceae / Crucifers Above: The Lesser Swine Cress Lepidium didymum originates from South America, but today it's spread more or less world wide.
Sisymbrium erysimoides / Smooth Mustard Brassicaceae / Crucifers	Left: As far as currently known the site of the Smooth Mustard Sisymbrium erysimoides in the city of Ludwigshafen is the only one on Germany. The plant comes from the Western Mediterranean. Right: In the city of Mannheim there is a big occurrence of Dwarf Pennywort Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides. The plant grows so low that it is not hurt by mowing. It originates from tropical Asia and Africa.	Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides / Dwarf Pennywort, Lawn Marsh Pennywort Apiaceae / Umbellifers
Asclepias syriaca / Purple Silkweed Asclepiadaceae / Milkweed Fam. Above: A group of Purple Silkweed Asclepias syriaca, which became bigger with the time, was found on sandy soil near Waghäusel-Wiesental, but in betweeen it disappeared.	Linaria dalmatica / Dalmatian Toadflax Scrophulariaceae / Figwort Fam. Above: The more than an meter big Dalmatian Toadflax Linaria dalmatica, which comes from the eastern Mediterranean, colonizes on an inland dune near Seeheim-Jugenheim.	Cymbalaria pallida / Italian Toadflax Scrophulariaceae / Figwort Fam. Above: The Italian Toadflax Cymbalaria pallida originates from Central Italy. Recently it has been found at walls of some cemeteries in the Kraichgau.
Nepeta cataria / Catnip Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.	Left: The Catnip Nepeta cataria originates from the pannonian steppe and is widely distributed on the sandy soils of the Upper Rhine valley. Right: Several blue Catnip species which originate from Asia as well as hybrides between these which have been bred by gardeners often run wild in the vicinity of plantings.	Nepeta x faassenii / Catmint = Nepeta racemosa x nepetella Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.
Lupinus polyphyllus / Garden Lupin Fabaceae / Legumes The Garden Lupin Lupinus polyphyllus originates from the Pacific side of North America. In woods it is grown to feed the deer and to improve the soil with nitrogen, and partly it runs wild.	Lupinus luteus / Yellow European Lupin Fabaceae / Legumes The smaller Yellow European Lupin Lupinus luteus, which originates from the Mediterranean, I found at Weinheim in the area of a big construction site.	Lathyrus latifolius / Broad-Leaved Everlasting Pea Fabaceae / Legumes The Broad-Leaved Everlasting Pea Lathyrus latifolius which comes from the Mediterranean is an ornamental plant which frequently runs wild.
Herniaria hirsuta / Hairy Rupture-Wort Caryophyllaceae / Campion Fam. The Hairy Rupture-Wort Herniaria hirsuta which comes from Asia and the Mediterranean can be found between pavement joints at the Mannheim water tower.	Tribulus terrestris / Small Caltrops Zygophyllaceae / Caltrop Fam. I found a big plant of Small Caltrops Tribulus terrestris with it strange seed capsules, which originates from the Mediterranean, in the Mannheim port. It is in flower there since many years.	Tribulus terrestris / Small Caltrops Zygophyllaceae / Caltrop Fam.
Geranium purpureum / Little Robin, Lesser Herb Robert Geraniaceae / Crane's-Bill Fam. The Little Robin Geranium purpureum spreads mainly along railway lines. It originates from the Mediterranean.	Geranium pyrenaicum / Hedge-Row Crane's-Bill Geraniaceae / Crane's-Bill Fam. The Hedge-Row Crane's-Bill Geranium pyrenaicum has once been introduced as ornamental plant. Since about 1800 it ran wild. Its home are Southern European mountains.	Galium parisiense s.str. / Wall Bedstraw Rubiaceae / Bedstraw Fam. The Bald Wall Bedstraw Galium parisiense var. leiocarpum, which originates from West and South Europe, has sites in the Mannheim ports.
Arum italicum / Italian Lords and Ladies Araceae / Arum Fam.	Left: The Italian Lords and Ladies Arum italicum from the Mediterranean is grown in gardens as an ornamental plant. Recently reports are cumulating that it appears in gardens or on wasteland where it has never been planted. Presumably its red berries are spread by birds. In Ludwigshafen there was a site with hundreds of plants which again disappeared some years later when Robinia trees came up. Right: A Spider Plant obviously risen from seed was found in the city of Mannheim. Even if the parent plant had two-colored (variegated) leaves, the leaves of plants risen from seed are unicolor green anyway.	Chlorophytum comosum / Spider Plant, St Bernard's Lily Liliaceae / Lily Fam.
Onoclea sensibilis / Sensible Fern Pteridopsida / True Ferns	There also ferns run wild: Left: The Sensible Fern Onoclea sensibilis has been introduced from America. Near Nußloch in the wood a colony is growing, which might have escaped from a garden. It reproduces well, and there are some sporangia. Right: Several stems of the Japanese Holly Fern Cyrtomium fortunei, which comes from America and Eastern Asia, are occurring at a wall at the Mannheim Hospital.	Cyrtomium fortunei / Japanese Holly Fern Pteridopsida / True Ferns
The origin of Evening Primroses is America. The most frequent one here is the Common Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis. Oenothera biennis / Common Evening Primrose Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam.	Some more rarely in the sand dune regions of the Northern Rhine Valley is Large-Flowered Evening Primrose Oenothera glazioviana, which has bigger blossoms and a reddish calyx. There are some more and more rare species, which have been introduced from America. More species have generated in Europe hybridgenously from the American species. Oenothera fallax / Intermediate Evening Primrose Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam.	The relative small flowered Sandy Evening Primrose Oenothera oakesiana has already been introduced in the 17th century. Oenothera oakesiana / Sandy Evening Primrose Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam.
Oenothera braunii / Braun's Evening Primrose Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam.	Oenothera drawertii / Drawert's Evening Primrose Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam.	Oenothera deflexa / Leipzig Evening Primrose Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam.
Circaea glabrescens ? / Pink Enchanter's Nightshade Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam. An Enchanter's Nightshade which comes from the Himalayas I found in July 2006 near Mannheim-Friedrichsfeld on soil which had been brought here from another place. In the following year it was disappeared again.	The Panicled Willowherb Epilobium brachycarpum settles on sandy areas, e.g. at Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Reilingen, and Hirschberg. It originates from the Pacific side of North America. Epilobium brachycarpum / Panicled Willowherb, Tall Annual Willowherb Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam.	Epilobium ciliatum subsp. adenocaulon / American Willowherb Onagraceae / Willowherb Fam. At edges of paths in the Odenwald the Fringed Willowherb can be found which originates also from America.
Potentilla intermedia / Downy Cinquefoil, Russian Cinquefoil Rosaceae / Rose Fam. Rough Cinquefoil Potentilla norvegica originates from Eastern Europe and Middle East. I found few stems of the species near the big power stations of Mannheim-Neckarau, but the site has been destroyed a few weeks later. Near Viernheim it can be found in some years.	Potentilla norvegica / Rough Cinquefoil Rosaceae / Rose Fam. The similar Downy Cinquefoil Potentilla intermedia grew near a soil depot near Viernheim. It originates from Northern Europe and Sibiria. Also near Karlsruhe I managed to find a single plant.	Potentilla indica / Yellow-flowered Str0awberry Rosaceae / Rose Fam. The number of sites of the Yellow-flowered Strawberry Potentilla indica has multiplied within the last years. It had been introduced from East Asia as a garden plant for parks.
Centranthus calcitrapae / Annual Valerian Valerianaceae / Valerian Fam. Annual Valerian Centranthus calcitrapae is native in the Mediterranean. I had never heard of an occurrence in Germany when I found it in the Mannheim port in beginning of May 2009. In the same year it has also been found in the Kehl port. Unfortunately during the winter the area in the Mannheim port has been recasted and covered with coarse ballast, so since then it couldn't be be found any more.	Oxalis stricta / Upright Oxalis Oxalidaceae / Wood-Sorrel Fam. Some yellow flowering Oxalis species are coming from different continents. The species on the photo above originates from North America and Eastern Asia. Also Dillenius' Sorrel Oxalis dillenii from Eastern North America is occurring here, e.g. in Mannheim and Weinheim.	Oxalis corniculata var. corniculata / Procumbent Yellow Sorrel Oxalidaceae / Wood-Sorrel Fam. The Procumbent Yellow Sorrel, which is widespread in almost all villages of Central Europe today, originates from South America.
Veronica peregrina / American Speedwell Scrophulariaceae / Figwort Fam. The American Speedwell Veronica peregrina originates from America, where it grows on the whole continent from Alasca to Tierra del Fuego.	The Slender Speedwell Veronica filiformis originates from Caucasus. Veronica filiformis / Slender Speedwell Scrophulariaceae / Figwort Fam.	Veronica persica / Common Field Speedwell Scrophulariaceae / Figwort Fam. The Common Field Speedwell Veronica persica originates from Asia, and was introduced in Central Europe with ornamental plants about in 1800. In between is is distributed over most parts of the world. It is in flower over almost the whole year except in winter.
Gypsophila scorzonerifolia / Garden Baby's Breath Caryophyllaceae / Campion Fam. The Garden Baby's Breath Gypsophila scorzonerifolia comes from Russia and is also naturalized in Eastern Germany. A strong plant grows on wasteland in the Kaiserwört port of Ludwigshafen.	Silene coronaria / Rose Campion Caryophyllaceae / Campion Fam. Rose Campion Silene coronaria has also escaped from gardens. I found it e.g. on the Friesenheim Insel at Mannheim. It's origin is the Mediterranean to Western Asia.	Amsinckia calycina / Yellow Burweed, Hairy Fiddleneck Boraginaceae / Borrage Fam. Rather rarely, but occasionally, not only in the Kurpfalz but also in sandy areas of the Palatinate and Rhine-Main region the Yellow Burweed appears, which originats from Southern America. Since some years there is a rich site in Mannheim.
Verbena bracteata / Bracted Vervain Verbenaceae / Verbena Fam. The Bracted Vervain Verbena bracteata comes from America, and is naturalized in the port of Mannheim - Rheinau and has also been found on the Friesenheimer Insel.	Verbena bonariensis / Purpletop Vervain Verbenaceae / Verbena Fam. Near Reilingen I found Purpletop Vervain Verbena bonariensis at the edge of a wood. Most probably it originates from garden waste. The plant originates from Brasil and Argentinia.	Sideritis montana / Mountain Ironwort Lamiaceae / Mint Fam. In the port of Mannheim-Rheinau a sizeable colony of Mountain Ironwort Sideritis montana is growing since many years. The plant comes from the Mediterranean.
A big population of Swamp Stonecrop Crassula helmsii grows in a pond near Schauernheim in Palatinate. It originates from Australia and is used in aquariums. Crassula helmsii / Swamp Stonecrop, New Zealand Pygmyweed Crassulaceae / Stonecrop Fam.	Celastrus orbiculatus / Staff Vine Celastraceae / Spindle Fam. The Staff Vine Celastrus orbiculatus, related with our Spindle Euonymus europaeus, is naturalized in the wood in the southern part of nature reserve	Celastrus orbiculatus / Staff Vine Celastraceae / Spindle Fam. Pferdstriebduene at Sandhausen. It climbs trees up to 8 meters high. It origin is Eastern Asia.
Ornithogalum brevistylum / Pyramidal Star of Bethlehem Liliaceae / Lily Fam.	Muscari armeniacum / Armenian Grape Hyacinth Liliaceae / Lily Fam. Near Weinheim there are still sites of the Armenian Grape Hyacinth Muscari armeniacum, which came from the Mediterranean, and of the Pyramidal Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum brevistylum, which originates from South Eastern Europe and Russia. Both had been introduced as ornamental plants in regions with viticulture climate.	Hyacinthoides hispanica x non-scripta / Bluebell Hybrid = Hyacinthoides x massartiana Liliaceae / Lily Fam.
Meconopsis cambrica / Welsh Poppy Papaveraceae / Poppy Fam. Between Gorxheim-Trösel and Unterabtsteinach in the foremost part of the Odenwald grows Welsh Poppy Meconopsis cambrica at a path in the wood. Most probably it is a garden escape.	Ceratocapnos claviculata / Climbing Corydalis Fumariaceae / Fumitory Fam. In 2020 this plant has been found in a forest area at Mannheim. The originally Atlantic distributed species expands its German occurrences more and more to South.	Thunbergia alata / Black-Eyed Susan Vine Acanthaceae / Acanthus Fam. In the port area of Ludwigshafen a single plant of Thunbergia alata grew in a small gap of a wall.
The Four-Leaved Allseed Polycarpon tetraphyllum arrived from the Western Mediterranian. It can already be found in gaps between paving stones e.g. in Speyer and Weinheim-Lützelsachsen. Polycarpon tetraphyllum / Four-Leaved Allseed Caryophyllaceae / Campion Fam.	Vinca major / Greater Periwinkle Apocynaceae / Periwinkle Fam. Often, e.g. above Weinheim, the Greater Periwinkle Vinca major has escaped from gardens. It originates from the Mediterranean.	Near Reilingen and Oftersheim Spiderwort Commelina communis has run wild. Its origin are gardens, too. It had been introduced from East Asia. Commelina communis / Spiderwort Commelinaceae / Spiderwort Fam.
Claytonia perfoliata / Miner's Lettuce Portulacaceae / Purslane Fam. Miner's Lettuce Claytonia perfoliata, which was cultivated as vegetables, and which ran wild in regions with sandy soil which is the case in parts of the 'Kurpfalz', originates from the western part of North America.	Physalis peruviana / Cape Gooseberry Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam. Physalis peruviana are growing on the low meadows along the Neckar river at Mannheim. The seed had been ashored during at a flood.	Solanum lycopersicum / Tomato Solanaceae / Nightshade Fam. Many Tomatoes Solanum lycopersicum, Marrows Cucurbita pepo, and more rarely also Musk Melon Cucumis melo can be found at the Neckar and Rhine shores near Mannheim after floodwater.
Citrullus lanatus / Water Melon Cucurbitaceae / Cucumber Fam.	Cucurbita pepo / Marrow Cucurbitaceae / Cucumber Fam.	Cucumis melo / Musk Melon Cucurbitaceae / Cucumber Fam.
Melissa officinalis / Balm Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.	Top left: Several plants of the Water Melon Citrullus lanatus, of which the biggest one brought even fruits, have been found at the Rhine shore at Mannheim. Left: A typical example for several herbs, teas and aromatic plants, which have been introduced from the Mediterranean or the Orient and which sometimes run wild, is Balm Melissa officinalis. Right: On waste land of the Friesenheimer Insel at Mannheim young plants of the Common Lavender Lavandula angustifolia habe been found. They might have reproduced in the years with mild winters. Below: I found a small group of Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum on the Friesenheimer Insel in Mannheim at the Rhine dam. It originates from the Central Asian steppe. Formerly the plant has been grown because its seed contains starch. But because it is frost-sensitive it was ousted by the cereals.	Lavandula angustifolia / Common Lavender Lamiaceae / Mint Fam.
Cannabis sativa / Hemp Cannabaceae / Hop Fam. Hemp Cannabis sativa has been introduced from the Orient in the 19th century for the textile industry because of its fibres. Later it has been forbidden due to its intoxicating effect. The few plants, which I found at different sites, can be	Fagopyrum esculentum / Buckwheat Polygonaceae / Knotweed Fam. originated from hemp corns out of food for birds. Most of these were growing on soil which had recently been transferred from building grounds, another one at the Rhine shore.	Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa / Kiwi Fruit, Chinese Gooseberry Actinidiaceae / Kiwi Fam. At a path in the forest near Heidelberg a Kiwi plant has been found.
Almost all of the often less attractive, green flowering Pigweeds (genus Amaranthus) originate from America:
Amaranthus retroflexus / Common Pigweed Amaranthaceae / Amaranth Fam.	Amaranthus blitoides / Prostrate Pigweed Amaranthaceae / Amaranth Fam.	Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus / Pigweed Amaranthaceae / Amaranth Fam.
There are also Amaranth species which are attractive in terms of color: The Red Pigweed Amaranthus cruentus is cultivated in gardens as ornamental plant. On a soil depot near Viernheim it had been running wild, and can also be found in Mannheim at the Neckar. Rightmost: The Pendant Pigweed Amaranthus caudatus runs often wild out of gardens and can be found at different locations of the region.	Amaranthus hypochondriacus / Prince of Wales Pigweed Amaranthaceae / Amaranth Fam.	Amaranthus cruentus / Red Pigweed Amaranthaceae / Amaranth Fam.
Dysphania pumilio / Clammy Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae / Goosefoot Fam. The Clammy Goosefoot Dysphania pumilio has been introduced from Australia. In Europe it grows only in warm regions on sandy soil.	The Sticky Goosefoot Dysphania botrys came from Southern Europe and Asia. A rich site in Mannheim has been a former cole store at the port. Dysphania botrys / Sticky Goosefoot, Jerusalem Oak Chenopodiaceae / Goosefoot Fam.	Dysphania schraderiana / Schrader's Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae / Goosefoot Fam. In the Mannheim Rheinau port also the closely related Schrader's Goosefoot Dysphania schraderiana can be found. Its origin are Africa and Asia.
Grasses and rushes, which had been introduced as useful or ornamental plants, ran also wild:
Tragus racemosus / Spike Burr Grass Poaceae / Grass Fam. Left: The Spike Burr Grass Tragus racemosus originates from the Mediterranean. Near Mannheim on inland dunes it is widely distributed in between.	Phalaris arundinacea var. picta / Variegated Ribbon Grass, Gardener's Garters Poaceae / Grass Fam. I found the ornamental grass Variegated Ribbon Grass Phalaris arundinacea var. picta at two locations in the wood of the Odenwald.	Lolium multiflorum / Italian Rye-Grass Poaceae / Grass Fam. The Italian Rye-Grass Lolium multiflorum is at home in Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. In Central Europe it is grown to feed animals. Sometimes it runs wild, but only temporarely.
Panicum capillare / Witchgrass Poaceae / Grass Fam. The most frequent of the millets which came from America is the Witchgrass Panicum capillare.	Panicum hillmanii / Hillman's Millet Poaceae / Grass Fam. Hillman's Millet Panicum hillmanii is similar to the native Witchgrass Panicum capillare, but it has dark brown instead of light beige seed. It orininates from America as the similar but more frequent Riparian Millet Panicum barbipulvinatum (right photo).	Panicum barbipulvinatum / Riparian Millet Poaceae / Grass Fam.
Bromus catharticus / Rescue Brome Poaceae / Grass Fam. At the edge of a field near Weinheim Mountain Brome Bromus carinatus has appeared, which had been introduced from America, and which also earlier rarely had been found in various regions of Germany.	Phalaris canariensis / Canary Grass Poaceae / Grass Fam. Canary Grass Phalaris canariensis has been found at a slope near the Mannheim Hospital in abundance.	Nassella tenuissima / Mexican Feather Grass Poaceae / Grass Fam. Near the tower buildings at the Northern Neckar shore in Mannheim Mexican Feather Grass Nassella tenuissima has been found run wild, an undemanding grass which is grown in gardens for ornament.
Bromus inermis / Hungarian Brome Poaceae / Grass Fam. The Rescue Brome which has been introduced from South America, can sometimes be found on agricultural or waste land.	Sporobolus vaginiflorus / Poverty Grass, Sheathed Dropseed Poaceae / Grass Fam. Poverty Grass Sporobolus vaginiflorus which originates from the USA is abundantly available in the former Taylor Barracks, a discontinued US casern at Mannheim. Currently (2017) the Taylor Barracks area is built-up, and it is in question whether the grass will remain. Along motorways in Northern Italy, Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland the grass has been found since tens of years.	Sorghum bicolor agg. / Great Millet Poaceae / Grass Fam. Waghäusel
Eragrostis curvula / African Love Grass, Weeping Love Grass Poaceae / Grass Fam. Waghäusel	Eragrostis multicaulis / Japanese Love Grass Poaceae / Grass Fam. After Love Grass Eragrostis minor is spreading in Southern Germany since more than hundred years, more and more Japanese Love Grass Eragrostis multicaulis is emerging in the cities.	Setaria faberi / Japanese Bristle Grass, Giant Foxtail Poaceae / Grass Fam. One specimen of Japanese Bristle Grass Setaria faberi was found in 2018 on a former barracks area at Mannheim. Home of the plant is Asia.
Juncus tenuis / Slender Rush Juncaceae / Rush Fam. The Slender Rush Juncus tenuis, which has been introduced from the eastern part of America, is not rare.
Daphne laureola / Spurge Laurel Thymelaeaceae / Daphne Fam.	Left: At the Gaisberg above Heidelberg the Spurge Laurel Daphne laureola might have been introduced about hundred years ago when foreign trees were planted for the Arboretum. Right: In the Exotenwald (forest of foreign trees) at Weinheim Japanese Avens Geum japonicum is growing together with the native Wood Avens Geum urbanum. Geum japonicum has bigger leaves and a stocky inflorescence.	Geum japonicum / Japanese Avens Rosaceae / Rose Fam.

Imported garden bushes have run wild in the 'Kurpfalz', too.
Sorbaria sorbifolia / Ural False Spiraea Rosaceae / Rose Fam. Found near Schriesheim; Origin: North Siberia	Spiraea thunbergii / Thunberg's Meadowsweet, Baby's Breath Spirea Rosaceae / Rose Fam.	Parthenocissus inserta / False Virginia Creeper Vitaceae / Grape-Vine Fam. Found near Reilingen; Origin: Eastern Asia
Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala / Amur Maple Aceraceae / Maple Fam.	Many plants of Common Hackberry Celtis occidentalis can be found run wild at Karlsruhe, now I found it at Mannheim, too. It originates from North America. Celtis occidentalis / Common Hackberry Ulmaceae / Elm Fam.	Cercis siliquastrum / Judas Tree Fabaceae / Legumes This tree, which comes from the Mediterranean and Western Asia, has run wild at the river shore of the Rhine at Ludwigshafen.
The bushes and trees of the next rows came from China and Eastern Asia, and ran sometimes wild on waste land, e.g. at railway stations.
Ailanthus altissima / Tree of Heaven Simaroubaceae / Tree-of-Heaven Fam.	Buddleja davidii / Butterfly Bush Buddlejaceae / Butterfly Bush Fam.	Paulownia tomentosa / Princess Tree, Foxglove Tree Scrophulariaceae / Figwort Fam.
Cotoneaster horizontalis / Wall Cotoneaster Rosaceae / Rose Fam.	Forsythia x intermedia / Golden Bell = Forsythia suspensa x viridissima Oleaceae / Ash Fam.	Cornus alba agg. / Red-Barked Dogwood, Siberian Dogwood Cornaceae / Dogwood Fam.
Cotoneaster sargentii / Scarlet Leader Willowleaf Rosaceae / Rose Fam.	Elaeagnus angustifolia / Narrow-Leaved Oleaster, Russian Olive Elaeagnaceae / Sea-Buckthorn Fam.	Kerria japonica / Kerrie Rosaceae / Rose Fam. Found near Reilingen; Origin: Eastern Asia
Koelreuteria paniculata / Golden Rain Tree Sapindaceae / Golden-Rain Tree Fam.
The bushes and trees shown in the next two rows have been imported from North America. Sometimes they run wild here.
Rhus typhina / Stag's-Horn Sumach Anacardiaceae / Sumach Fam.	Symphoricarpos albus / Snowberry Caprifoliaceae / Honeysuckle Fam.	Mahonia aquifolium / Shining Oregon Grape, Tall Oregon Grape Berberidaceae / Barberry Fam.
Robinia pseudoacacia / False Acacia Fabaceae / Legumes Very frequent at wood edges.	Amorpha fruticosa / Desert False Indigo Fabaceae / Legumes Desert False Indigo Amorpha fruticosa originates from North America. Found in Mannheim on the Friesenheimer Insel.	Prunus serotina / Rum Drupes Rosaceae / Rose Fam. A rather frequent bush, e.g. in the 'Viernheim Heide' northwest of Viernheim.
Catalpa bignonioides / Common Catalpa, Indian Bean Tree Bignoniaceae / Catalpa Fam.	Physocarpus opulifolius / Common Ninebark Rosaceae / Rose Fam.	Acer saccharinum / Silver Maple Aceraceae / Maple Fam. From eastern North America it was introduced as a tree for parks. It ran wild e.g. in a nature reserve at Hemsbach and along the Neckar near Mannheim.
Acer negundo / Ash-Leaf Elder Aceraceae / Maple Fam. The Ash-Leaf Elder, which has been introduced from America in the 17th century, dominates more and more riparian forests of the Upper Rhine -->	Acer negundo / Ash-Leaf Elder Aceraceae / Maple Fam. Valley, e.g. the Reissinsel at Mannheim, because it reproduces more and grows faster than e.g. the native White Willow.	Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Green Ash Oleaceae / Ash Fam. In nature reserve Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue the Green Ash had already to be combated, because it also grows faster than the native trees of riparian forests.
Taxus baccata / Yew Taxaceae / Yew Fam.	Also conifers as Yew or Oriental Arbor-Vitae are running wild out of seed which comes from planted trees.	Platycladus orientalis / Oriental Arbor-Vitae Cupressaceae / Cypresse Fam.
Several water plants are neophytes, too:
Elodea canadensis / Canadian Waterweed Hydrocharitaceae / Frogbit Fam.	Elodea nuttallii / Nuttall's Waterweed Hydrocharitaceae / Frogbit Fam.	Vallisneria spiralis / Tape Grass Hydrocharitaceae / Frogbit Fam.
Azolla filiculoides / Water Fern Azollaceae / Water Fern Fam.
Naturally this list of neophytic plants of the 'Kurpfalz' can't be complete. It will be continued on occasion. Information on the neophytes I took mainly out of the 8 volume book edition 'Die Farn- und Blütenpflanzen Baden-Wüttembergs' as well as from several web pages. Baden-Württemberg is the most south-western part of Germany. There are also similar but less extensive sites on adjoining regions: Some neophytes in (Southern) Baden, Some neophytes in Württemberg, Some neophytes in Rheinland-Pfalz, Some neophytes in Hesse, Some neophytes in North Rhine-Westphalia. On neophytes of some foreign regions small web sites are also available: Some neophytes in Western Ireland, Some neophytes in Northern Spain.