Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Aglaonema commutatum


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: 1 (low risk based on second screen)


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.

Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Aglaonema commutatum (Aglaonema, Chinese evergreen, philippine evergreen)

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

n

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

y

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

y

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

3

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

1


Supporting data:

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

No evidence

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Native Habitat: Philippine Islands, Northeast Celebes. (2)Bioclimatic zones: tropical rainforests. (3)Native to Philippines.

(1)Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)Horticopia Plant Master 5.5. CD_ROM database. (3)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500027.html

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness Range 10B to 11 (2)Bioclimatic zones: tropical rainforests. (3)don't like the cold weather, drafts and exposure to low temperatures. This factor alone can simply limit where you can use these tough indoor plants (4) Leaves will scorch if the plant is in a draft or dry air.

(1)Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)Horticopia Plant Master 5.5. CD_ROM database. (3)http://www.plant-care.com/PlantCareTips/011402.asp (4) Leaves will scorch if the plant is in a draft or dry air.

2.04

Native Habitat: Philippine Islands, Northeast Celebes.

Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

2.05

Cultivated elsewhere. (2)Texas (3) Florida

(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Aglaonema+commutatum (2)http://216.239.53.100/search?q=cache:DuaUh9l5MkUJ:
www.txaged.org/cde-flor.pdf+Aglaonema+commutatum+flowers&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (3)http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/fyn/publications/drought-tolerant-plants/dtpl-perennials.htm

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence of any such structures

Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Calcium oxalate needles (Raphide), which penetrate particularly in the mouth and throat mucous membrane and to burning and mechanical damage [not used as a fodder]

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://
www-vetpharm.unizh.ch/giftdb/pflanzen/0109_vet.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3
DAglaonema%2Bcommutatum%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

4.05

No evidence

4.06

(1)The following fungi were listed to be associated with A. commutatum. Cephalosporium sp.: FL - 1
Colletotrichum sp.: Unknown, United States - 120
Cylindrocladiella peruviana: FL - 1, 1
Fusarium subglutinans: HI - 29122
Glomerella cingulata: WA - 44
Glomerella sp.: FL - 1
Myrothecium roridum: FL - 1
Phytophthora sp.: FL - 1
Rhizoctonia solani: FL - 1
Rhizoctonia sp.: HI - 1710
Sclerotium rolfsii: FL - 1
(2)In a survey in 1988-91 P. meadii was isolated from Aglaonema nitidum cv. curtisii and P. [nicotianae var.] parasitica on A. commutatum , Anthurium andreanum , Dieffenbachia maculata , Epipremnum aureum [E. pinnatum ] and Philodendron spp. growing in pots in greenhouses or in the open ground. In pathogenicity tests, each P. spp. produced disease symptoms on their respective host plants similar to those occurring under natural field conditions. A

(1)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm (2)Ann, P. J. 1992. Phytophthora diseases of ornamental plants in Araceae in Taiwan. Plant Pathology Bulletin, 1992, Vol.1, No.2, pp.79-89, 24 ref.
(3) AU: Liang, Y. G.; Yang, T. C.; Chen, C. T. (1994) Report of the Taiwan Sugar Research Institute, 1994, No.143, pp.41-50, 14 ref.

4.07

(1)Damage mechanisms: Calcium oxalate needles (Raphide), which penetrate particularly in the mouth and throat mucous membrane and to burning and mechanical damage lead. With high doses Hypocalcaemie because of precipitation of the blood calcium by oxalic acid and damage of the kidney on elimination of the crystals. Clinical symptoms: Speicheln, failure, vomiting, bleedings (gums, stomach intestine, Uterus), dyspnea (Pharynxoedem) and swallowing difficulties (Larynxoedem). After high doses of cramps, ataxia, Hypotonie, heartbeat disturbances, liver and kidney damage.
(2)The whole plant is very strongly poisonous.
(3)Poisonous Part: All parts.
Symptoms: Skin irritation after contact with cell sap. If chewed, irritation of mouth, lips, throat, and tongue.
Toxic Principle: Calcium oxalate crystals.
Severity: CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

(1)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://
www-vetpharm.unizh.ch/giftdb/pflanzen/0109_vet.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3
DAglaonema%2Bcommutatum%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG (2)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.gifte.de/
aglaonema_commutatum.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3DAglaonema%
2Bcommutatum%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG (3)http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Aglaomo.htm

4.08

humid environments, lush foliage

Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

4.09

Exposure Full shade. Aglaonemas require shade since direct sun will turn leaves yellow.

Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

4.1

(1)Soil Condition Loamy, sandy, clay, acidic, neutral, tolerates some salt (2)well drained, heavy soil

(1) Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)http://www.botany.com/aglaonema.html

4.11

Probably not - not a vine.

Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Terrestrial

Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

5.02

Perennial herb with dark green stem

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Aglaomo.htm

5.03

5.04

tubers?

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/603.html

6.01

The flowers of the Chinese evergreen are creamy-white or slightly greenish spathes that come in summer.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Araceae/Aglaonema_commutatum.html

6.02

'Stock plants and seedlings were grown in shaded greenhouse …. Pollinations were repeated several times because of the limited number of seeds Aglaonema flowers are capable of producing.'

Henry R.J. 1984. Aglaonema Breeding. Transmission of Foliar Variegation from three species of their hybrids. Aroideana. 7(1): 9 - 11

6.03

No evidence of natural hybridization. (1)'Star of India', derived via controlled pollination between the seed parent Aglaonema hybrid 'Manila' x A. commutatum 'Elegans' and the pollen parent A. costatum , is submitted for the registration of plant variety rights in Australia. This cultivar is characterized by its tri-coloured leaves, dark green margin, light green diffuse patches, numerous white spots, profuse branching and quick growth.' (2) 'Hybrids were evaluated for foliar variegation after approximately one year of growth...The ability to combine the variegation pattern from both parents in at least some of the subsequent offspring provides opportunity for creating unique Aglaonema hybrids.'

(1)Parthasarathy Mukundan; Gopalaswamy Parthasarathy. 2002. 'Glory of India'.
Plant Varieties Journal, 2002, Vol.15, No.1, pp.15-16 (2)Henry R.J. 1984. Aglaonema Breeding. Transmission of Foliar Variegation from three species of their hybrids. Aroideana. 7(1): 9 - 11

6.04

'Stock plants and seedlings were grown in shaded greenhouse where each species was self-pollinated and intercrossed with the others.'

Henry R.J. 1984. Aglaonema Breeding. Transmission of Foliar Variegation from three species of their hybrids. Aroideana. 7(1): 9 - 11

6.05

Don’t know

6.06

no enidence [forms a short non-woody trunk, some varieties form basal suckers]

http://www.mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/FoliageDigest/v6n2.html

6.07

(1)slow growing plant (2)In 4-5 months following pollination the fruits turn bright red and should be harvested. [estimate based on slow growing large herb with long fruit maturation time]

(1)http://www.susansgardenpatch.com/indoor3.htm (2)http://www.mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/FoliageDigest/v6n2.html

7.01

no evidence

7.02

Attributes and Features
- Attractive foliage
- Border
- Container
- Ground cover
- Massing
- Woodland garden
- Inconspicuous flowers or blooms
- Attractive fruit

Horticpia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

7.03

no evidence

http://www.neoflora.com/cgi-bin/plant_profile.cgi?plant_sid=12986

7.04

fruit is a berry.

http://www.neoflora.com/cgi-bin/plant_profile.cgi?plant_sid=12986

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Probably yes - Flowers resemble small greenish-white callas followed by yellow to red berries.

http://www.neoflora.com/cgi-bin/plant_profile.cgi?plant_sid=12986

7.07

Probably not - no evidence that the seeds have any means of attachment.

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

'Stock plants and seedlings were grown in shaded greenhouse …. Pollinations were repeated several times because of the limited number of seeds Aglaonema flowers are capable of producing.'

Henry R.J. 1984. Aglaonema Breeding. Transmission of Foliar Variegation from three species of their hybrids. Aroideana. 7(1): 9 - 11

8.02

The fleshy red seed coat should be removed soon after harvest and the seed planted before it shows any signs of drying. [implies lack of dormancy and no tolerance of desiccation]

http://www.mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/FoliageDigest/v6n2.html

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

Don’t know

8.05

Don’t know


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This page updated 11 December 2007