Spatial Distribution and Invasion Potential of the Naturalized Downy Thorn Apple (Datura innoxia): Evidence from Classification and Ordination

The present study aimed to assess the spatial distribution and invasion potential of naturalized Datura innoxia Mill., a member family Solanaceae, across elevation, edaphic, climatic gradients in invaded communities semiarid regions northern Pakistan. species’ phytosociological attributes, diversity indices, biotic environmental factors were assessed 21 sites (210 plots) categorized into three elevation groups separated by Ward’s agglomerative cluster. vegetation was dominated annual species, which facilitated naturalization alien species. D. innoxia, having different codominant species Parthenium hysterophorus L. Group I, Medicago denticulata II, III; however, third I III different. In addition, Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) unveiled that abiotic such as (r = ?0.65), mean yearly temperature 0.79), humidity 0.76), day length hours 0.79) cultivated fields ?0.83) traffic density 0.70) strongly correlated on canonical axes, revealing their vital importance determining structure. concluded this propagated efficiently conditions if these prevailed, would be established an invasive Therefore, control is critically important, including exploitation for medicinal phytochemical utilization, will enhance protection native populations.