Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W.Grimes, Fabaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 8 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Adenanthera falcataria L.; Albizia falcataria (L.) Fosb.; Albizia moluccana Miq.; Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) I. Nielsen

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: nan yang ying

English: Molucca albizia, Moluccan albizia, Moluccan sau, batai, bataiwood, kerosene plant, peacock's plume, white monkeypod

French: albizia, falcata

Kwara‘ae: fai, folo fai

Maori (Cook Islands): ‘ārapitia

Palauan: ukall ra ngebard

Pohnpeian: tuhke karisihn, tuhke kerosin

Samoan: tamaligi, tamalini

Habit:  tree

Description:  "Trees up to 40 m tall, bark white, gray or greenish, smooth or slightly warty, young parts densely reddish brown tomentose or puberulent.  Leaves with a large nectary below the lowermost pair of pinnae and smaller ones between or below most pairs of pinnae, pinnae (4-) 8-15 pairs, leaflets 15-25 pairs per pinna, obliquely elliptic, falcate, 10-20 mm long, 3-6 mm wide, midrib strongly excentric near 1 of the margins.  Flowers in panicles ca 20 cm in diameter, often with 2 serial branches from 1 bract scar; calyx 1-1.5 mm long, silky pubescent, the teeth 0.5 mm long; corolla cream or greenish yellow, 3-4.5 mm long (excl. stamens); stamens 10-17 mm long.  Pods 9-12 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, densely pubescent or glabrous, with a narrow, longitudinal wing along the upper suture.  Seeds transversely arranged, ellipsoid, 5-7 mm long, 2.5-3.5 mm wide, laterally flattened, with a pleurogram ca 3 mm long and 1.5 mm wide"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 690).

"Grand arbre pouvant atteindre 40 m de hauteur et 2 m de diamètre à la base, reconnaissable à son tronc massif à écorce gris-clair lisse, à son port tabulaire, ses inflorescences composées de petites fleurs blanchâtres à jaunâtres et ses gousses pendantes et plates" (Meyer, 2008; p. 32).

Habitat/ecology:  "This elegant, deciduous tree with wide-spreading branches is used as a shade plant for coffee in many parts of the world. It grows very rapidly even on nutrient-poor soils. It grows from sea level to 1,500 m elevation but is most common in mesic, lowland areas.  It is often used in ornamental and forestry plantings" (C. W. Smith, 1985; p. 184). "High, broad canopy shades out other plants.  A nitrogen fixer, it may stimulate growth of non-natives better able to respond to increased soil nitrogen" (Motooka et al., 2003).  In Fiji, "cultivated and perhaps sparingly naturalized from near sea level to an elevation of 250 m"  (A. C. Smith, 1985; p. 77).  In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in disturbed mesic to wet areas, 25-600 m"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 690). In New Caledonia, "arbre de croissance rapide atteignant des dimensions considérables et devenant parfois envahissant" (MacKee, 1994; p. 77).

Propagation:  It is not known how the large seeds are dispersed, although man was initially the principal disseminator.

Native range:  Moluccas, New Guinea, New Britain and the Solomon Islands, widely planted for reforestation (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 690).

Impacts and invaded habitats:  Falcataria moluccana is considered a threat to native forests of Palau. (Forests of Palau, p. 9)

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 6)
Chile (offshore islands) Rapa Nui (Easter) Island	Rapa Nui (Easter) Island (Isla de Pasqua)	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2008) (pp. 31-32, 42) "Nous avons observé une seule population d’une demi-douzaine de grands arbres à Mataveri en bordure de la route menant à Orongo, avec de nombreuses gousses au sol. La régénération semble faible avec quelques rares plants juvéniles de 2 m de hauteur" (Meyer, 2008; p. 32).
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 7)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 7)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 7)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 7) Voucher: Flynn 7074 (PTBG, BISH, US)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2002) (voucher ID: PTBG 381) Taxon name on voucher: Falcataria moluccana
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 89)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 7)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (pp. 5-6)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 5)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 90)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. 5)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 93) Voucher cited: F.R. Fosberg 58470 (BISH, PTBG) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 659656) Taxon name on voucher: Albizia falcataria
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1978) (voucher ID: PTBG 23970) Taxon name on voucher: Falcataria moluccana
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 90)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. Field notes.)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Taveuni Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (p. 77) As Albizia falcataria. Voucher cited: DA L.14328 Perhaps sparingly naturalized.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (p. 77) As Albizia falcataria. Vouchers cited: DA L14329, DF 373, Damanu 60, DA12352 Perhaps sparingly naturalized.
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence , D.H. Lorence & W.L. Wagner 9501 (PAP) Planté, se naturalise. Menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1988) (voucher ID: BISH 601901) Taxon name on voucher: Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) I.Nielsen
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1988) (voucher ID: BISH 1000421) Taxon name on voucher: Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) I.Nielsen
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 42207) Taxon name on voucher: Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J. W. Grimes
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 47)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987) (p. 33) Vouchers cited: Fosberg 64825 (US), Fosberg 64919 (US), Gillette 3 (US)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 138) Voucher cited: Fosberg 61013
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 138) Vouchers cited: BRY 26451, BRY 26499
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) "Planté en bord de route, se naturalise". Voucher cited: J. Florence 10361 (PAP) Naturalisée, Menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1990) (voucher ID: BISH 642330) Taxon name on voucher: Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) I.Nielsen
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 138) Voucher cited: Florence 2449
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 2449 (PAP) Naturalisée. Menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 493038) Taxon name on voucher: Albizia falcataria
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 493039) Taxon name on voucher: Albizia falcataria
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 5542 (PAP) Planté, se naturalise. Menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 553337) Taxon name on voucher: Albizia falcataria
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 95)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 33)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 690, 1878)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 690, 1878)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Oppenheimer, Hank (2007) (pp. 23-24) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer & K.R. Wood H80622 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Oppenheimer, Hank L./Bartlett, Randal T. (2002) (p. 8) West Maui. Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H50003 (BISH) Spreading from a single tree.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2003) (p. 27) East Maui. Voucher cited: Starr & Martz 000526-1 (BISH) Escaping from plantations into nearby pastures and gulches.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 690, 1878)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 690, 1878)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands	introduced invasive	Gargominy, Oliver/Bouchet, Philipe/Pascal, Michel/Jaffre, Tanguy/Tourneu, Jean-Christophe (1996) (p. 381) Arbre de croissance rapide atteignant des dimensions considérables et devenant parfois envahissant.
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1967) (voucher ID: BISH 664578) Taxon name on voucher: Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) I.Nielsen
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1966) (voucher ID: BISH 664579) Taxon name on voucher: Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) I.Nielsen
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 77) Vouchers cited: MacKee 12365, MacKee 14166, MacKee 16014, MacKee 17981, MacKee 18073, Benoit in MacKee 18491, MacKee 41069 Spontané
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1967) (voucher ID: BISH 664577) Taxon name on voucher: Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) I.Nielsen
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 121) Voucher cited: CHR 168728
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 5)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 11)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 9, 85)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 11)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1981) (voucher ID: BNM 3112) Taxon name on voucher: Albizia falcataria (L.) Fosb.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Kitalong, Ann Hillmann (2008) (pp. 9, 20, 25, 26)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 91)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 9, 80)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 11)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago	uncertain if native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago		Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (pp. 207, 209)
Papua New Guinea Bougainville Islands	Bougainville Island	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Papua New Guinea Bougainville Islands	Bougainville Island		Foreman, D. B. (1971) (pp. 44-45)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island	introduced	Whistler, W. A. (1984) (p. 7)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1931) (voucher ID: BISH 152824) Taxon name on voucher: Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) I.Nielsen
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1993) (voucher ID: PTBG 41748) Taxon name on voucher: Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) I.Nielsen
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 7)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1974) (voucher ID: BISH 418200) Taxon name on voucher: Albizia falcataria
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1974) (voucher ID: BISH 418207) Taxon name on voucher: Albizia falcataria
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 44)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 8)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 8)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis (‘Uvea) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2007) (pp. 10, 35) Localement naturalisé en bordure de pinède et s'installe dans la lande à fougère Dicranopteris.  Il peut être considéré en phase d'expansion dans les zones ouvertes et pourrait coloniser les landes et savanes é à fougère Dicranopteris.
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis (‘Uvea) Island	introduced	Meyer, Jean-Yves/Jourdan, Hervé/Malau, Atoloto (2008) (p. 9)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis and Futuna Islands	introduced	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 107) "Potential invader".

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013)
China China	Hong Kong	introduced cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 132) Oranamental.
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Moluccas
Indonesia Indonesia	West Papua Province (Indonesia) (western New Guinea Island) (formerly Irian Jaya)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Pallawatta, Nirmalie/Reaser, Jamie K./Gutierrez, Alixis T./eds. (2003) (p. 89)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 41) Naturalised

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Frégate Island		Robertson, S. A./Todd, D. M. (1983) (p. 51)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced invasive	Cronk, Q. C. B./Fuller, J. L. (2001) (p. 182)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

Comments:  Doesn't seem to spread rapidly, but it has the ability to spread extensively through native forest ecosystems over time.

A problem plant in Hawai‘i.

Extensively naturalized on Tutuila, American Samoa (Space & Flynn, 2000). Widespread on Rarotonga, Aitutaki, ‘Atiu, Mangaia and Ma‘uke, Cook Islands (Space & Flynn, 2002).

Planted in Micronesia. Some naturalization noted on Yap, Pohnpei and Palau, a few trees on Kosrae (Space & Falanruw, 1999).

It forms some fairly large stands on Tahiti.

Scattered trees present on Niue (Space & Flynn, 2000).

Single specimen noted on Vava‘u; plantation trees on ‘Eua, Tonga (Space & Flynn, 2001).

Control:  "La lutte manuelle par arrachage des plantules et des jeunes plants associée à une lutte chimique par injection d’un herbicide (triclopyr et/ou dicamba) dans le tronc des arbres ou par pulvérisation sur le tronc après écorçage sont réalisables" (Meyer, 2008; p. 32).

Physical:  "Reportedly susceptible to being killed by root damage by heavy equipment"  (Motooka et al., 2003).

Chemical: "Very susceptible to hormone type herbicides. Severely injured by cut-surface application of 2,4-D and by glyphosate; killed by dicamba and triclopyr.  Susceptible to basal bark applications of triclopyr. HAVO staff report control with triclopyr amine at 10% product in water applied to cut stumps (Chris Zimmer, HAVO)" (Motooka et al., 2003).