Response of the Invasive Alien Plant Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Teschem. to Different Environmental and Competitive Settings

Indian mock strawberry (<i>Duchesnea indica</i>, syn. <i>Potentilla indica</i>), a clonal invasive plant native to Asia, has rapidly spread in Europe, where its ecological adaptation allows it to thrive under varying environmental conditions. It is mostly found in urban habitats such as lawns, parks, and urban and peri-urban forests, where it thrives in various plant communities. It can become dominant in certain communities, indicating its competitive advantage over native plants. Due to similar habitat preferences, it often coexists with the native species <i>Glechoma hederacea</i>, with which it shares other characteristics such as clonal growth. This study investigates the effects of light, nutrients, and competition on the growth, morphology, and physiology of <i>D. indica</i>. A controlled pot experiment exposed plants to combinations of sunlight and shade, optimal and increased nutrient levels, and competitive scenarios with the native plant <i>G. hederacea</i>. The plant traits of biomass, leaf and ramet number, stolon and flower production, leaf greenness, the photosynthetic efficiency of Photosystem II, and stomatal conductance were assessed. Results revealed that light and nutrient availability significantly enhanced growth metrics. In shaded conditions, <i>D. indica</i> adapted with elongated petioles and increased specific leaf area. Competition significantly reduced growth, with <i>G. hederacea</i> outperforming <i>D. indica</i>. These findings highlight the complex interplay between abiotic and biotic factors in influencing invasive species impact, providing essential insights for ecosystem management.