Scrophularia scopolii Hoppe (SE-Europe) – An exceptional and ephemeral alien. Recorded only once on an old quay wall of river Dendre in Mévergnies-lez-Lens (Brugelette) in 1976 (as Scrophularia spec.). Its vector of introduction remains unknown (it was found in a rather remote area without industrial activities). A recent British record was also hard to explain (Mundell 2002).
In general appearance Scrophularia scopolii is much reminiscent of native S. nodosa and could have been overlooked so far.
Selected literature:
Melzer H. (1954) Zur Adventivflora der Steiermark I. Mitt. naturwiss.Ver. Steiermark 84: 103-120.
Mundell T. (2002) Scrophularia scopolii (Italian Figwort) established in Britain, plus a tale of two Nippleworts. BSBI News 91: 52-53. [available online at: http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/BSBINews91.pdf]
Wittig R. (1975) Scrophularia scopolii Hoppe, neu fur Westfalen. Nat. Heimat 34: 46-48.