Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T. Aiton Family - Asclepiadaceae . Common Names(s) - bow-string-hemp, crownplant, giant-milkweed, madar, mercure vegetal, mudar, Mudarpflanze, lechoso. Synonym(s) - Asclepias gigantea.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

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

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

y

2

3.02

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

n=0

y

2

3.03

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

n=0

3.04

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

n=0

3.05

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

n=0

y

2

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.10

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

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

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

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.07

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

See left

2 or 3

0

7.01

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

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

8.02

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

y=1, n=-1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

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

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

15

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Native to Asia-Temperate: Iran, China - Guandon, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan; Asia-tropical: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia.

(1) Native to Asia-Temperate: Iran, China - Guandon, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan; Asia-tropical: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia.

2.02

(1) Native to Asia-Temperate: Iran, China - Guandon, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan; Asia-tropical: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia.

(1) Native to Asia-Temperate: Iran, China - Guandon, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan; Asia-tropical: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia.

2.03

(1) In Indian, C. gigantea grows up to 900 m. (2) USDA Hardiness zones 10-11.

(1) http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/feb252007/435.pdf [Accessed 2008 Jan6]. (2) http://www.kartuz.com/pc/50801/7RFPE/Calotropis+gigantea+Lavender+Flower.html [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

2.04

(1) Native to Asia-Temperate: Iran, China - Guandon, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan; Asia-tropical: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia.

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652 [Accessed 2009 Jan 6].

2.05

(1) C. gigantea was discovered in Cuba and thought to have been there for thirty years. (2) C. gigantea is considered the most aggressive phytoinvader in Caatinga, Brazil. It is spreading in clumps or sporadically in diverse biomes that were disturbed by humans.

(1) Krings, A., F. A. Berazaín, et al. (2005). "New and Rediscovered Milkweeds from Cuba: Calotropis gigantea and Gonolobus stephanotrichus (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae)." Willdenowia 35(2): 315-318. (2) http://ambio.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1579%2F0044-7447(2006)35[141%3AIOAPIT]2.0.CO%3B2&ct=1 [Accessed 2009 Jan 6].

3.01

(1) C. gigantea has naturalised in the Andaman Islands, India. (2) C. gigantea is considered the most aggressive phytoinvader in Caatinga, Brazil. It is spreading in clumps or sporadically in diverse biomes that were disturbed by humans. (3) Widely naturalised, including in northern Australia.

(1) http://www.juniata.edu/projects/it110/ms/References/450_Research/1_ANDAMAN%20INVASIVE%20SPECIES-final.pdf [Accessed 2008 Jan 9]. (2) http://ambio.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1579%2F0044-7447(2006)35[141%3AIOAPIT]2.0.CO%3B2&ct=1 {accessed 2008 Jan 6]. (3) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

3.02

(1) C. gigantea is considered the most aggressive phytoinvader in Caatinga, Brazil. It is spreading in clumps or sporadically in diverse biomes that were disturbed by humans.

(1) http://ambio.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1579%2F0044-7447(2006)35[141%3AIOAPIT]2.0.CO%3B2&ct=1 [Accessed 2009 Jan 6].

3.03

Unknown

3.04

Unknown

3.05

(1) C. protera is invading the tropical savannahs of northern Australia.

(1) http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/202/paper/RJ07064.htm [Accessed 2009 Jan 6].

4.01

(1) No spines, thorns, burrs

(1) Erdman, M. D. and B. A. Erdman (1981). "Calotropis procera as a Source of Plant Hydrocarbons." Economic Botany 35(4): 467-472.

4.02

Unknown

4.03

(1) Not parasitic.

(1) http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi?name=calotropis+gigantea&submit=Submit+Query&search=all [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

4.04

Unknown

4.05

(1) No evidence in PubMed or Toxnet.

(1) http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/d?./temp/~FzUCMr:60:@sa [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

4.06

No evidence

4.07

(1) All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides that cause poisoning if eaten. (2) The latex irritates the mucous membranes especially in the eyes.

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press. (2) http://books.google.com/books?id=-J-YxItyrHEC&pg=PA102&lpg=PA102&dq=calotropis+gigantea&source=bl&ots=jpNIk8l9U_&sig=KYllOJ_yC0gC6VEQCHb2GPlw3-4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result#PPA102,M1 [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

4.08

Unknown

4.09

(1) Full sun. (2) Needs full sun.

(1) http://www.gardinonursery.com/product_info.php?products_id=533 [Accessed 2008 Jan 9]. (2) http://www.kartuz.com/pc/50801/7RFPE/Calotropis+gigantea+Lavender+Flower.html [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

4.10

(1) Grows on a variety of soils in India.

(1) http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/feb252007/435.pdf [Accessed 2009 Jan 9}.

4.11

(1) Woody shrub 2 m or less in height.

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

4.12

Unknown

5.01

(1) Woody shrub

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

5.02

(1) Asclepiadaceae

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

5.03

(1) Not nitrogen fixing.

(1) http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Nitrogen-fixation [Accessed 20098 Jan 9].

5.04

(1) Woody shrub.

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1) Propagation by seeds.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=692L-8HWiEsC&pg=PA182&lpg=PA182&dq=pua+kalaunu&source=web&ots=Ifa2WXOL88&sig=qOh-Ax4f3WultaH1h5bMBG06DDo&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

6.03

Unknown

6.04

Unknown

6.05

(1) Species of carpenter bees (Xylocopa) are pollinators of C. gigantea.

(1) http://www.ias.ac.in/j_archive/currsci/48/5/212-213/viewpage.html [Accessed 2009 Jan 6].

6.06

(1) Local stands increased in size by suckering.

(1) http://www.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

6.07

(1) Fast growth rate

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=692L-8HWiEsC&pg=PA182&lpg=PA182&dq=pua+kalaunu&source=web&ots=Ifa2WXOL88&sig=qOh-Ax4f3WultaH1h5bMBG06DDo&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

7.01

(1) Flowers are used to make leis. Numerous seeds. (2) Seeds of C. gigantea are 0.3" long with hair tufts ca 1" long.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=692L-8HWiEsC&pg=PA182&lpg=PA182&dq=pua+kalaunu&source=web&ots=Ifa2WXTJf2&sig=
WgFkx6hrjELoehHja8wOPYICfdM&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA182,M1 [Accessed 2009 Jan 9]. (2) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

7.02

(1) Ietrade.com sells C. gigantea seeds. (2) seedvendor.com sells C. gigantea seeds.

(1) http://tanhoard.en.ietrade.com.cn/trade_view/14631340/Sell%20Calotropis%20Gigantea%20Seeds.html [Accessed 2008 Jan 9]. (2) http://www.seedvendor.com/50-seeds-calotropis-gigantea-giant-milkweed-giant-milkwe50.html [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

7.03

Probably not. (1) Flowers are used to make leis, but follicles are not.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=692L-8HWiEsC&pg=PA182&lpg=PA182&dq=pua+kalaunu&source=web&ots=Ifa2WXTJf2&sig=
WgFkx6hrjELoehHja8wOPYICfdM&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA182,M1 [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

7.04

(1) White-haired seeds dispersed by the wind.

(1) http://ambio.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1579%2F0044-7447(2006)35[141%3AIOAPIT]2.0.CO%3B2&ct=1 [Accessed 2009 Jan 6].

7.05

(1) Seeds spread by water.

(1) http://www.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm [Accessed 2009 Jan 9].

7.06

(1) Greenish round fruits filled with white-haired seeds, that supply forage for birds.

(1) http://ambio.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1579%2F0044-7447(2006)35[141%3AIOAPIT]2.0.CO%3B2&ct=1 [Accessed 2009 Jan 6].

7.07

(1) No means of attachment

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

7.08

Unknown

8.01

Unknown

8.02

Unknown

8.03

Unknown

8.04

(1) A hard pruning down to the trunk or main branches produces a flush of new shoots and flowers.

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

8.05

Unknown