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

Caryota mitis Lour. (fishtail palm, burmese fishtail palm, rabok)

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

y

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

y

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

3.05

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

n=0

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

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

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

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

n

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

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

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

15

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

y

8.04

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

y=1, n=-1

y

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

1

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1)naturalized elsewhere (2)Florida

(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Caryota+mitis (2) http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_WG209

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Distribution: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Myanmar (Burma), Malay Peninsula, Minahasa Peninsula of the North Celebes, Java, Sumatra (2)Southeast Asia and India (3)Origin: Indonesia, but growing now also in Suriname. (4)The fishtail palm is native to southeast Asia where it grows as an understory plant in the tropical rain forest.

(1)http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/photos/Species/caryota_mitis.htm (2)http://www.junglemusic.net/palms/caryota-mitis.htm (3)http://www.tropilab.com/caryota.html (4)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cary_mit.cfm

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness: USDA zone 9 - 11. (2)Common at 1200-1400 m elevation [native range, Vietnam]

(1)http://www.tropilab.com/caryota.html (20http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01329895

2.04

(1)Distribution: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Myanmar (Burma), Malay Peninsula, Minahasa Peninsula of the North Celebes, Java, Sumatra (2)Southeast Asia and India (3)Origin: Indonesia, but growing now also in Suriname. (4)The fishtail palm is native to southeast Asia where it grows as an understory plant in the tropical rain forest.

(1)http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/photos/Species/caryota_mitis.htm (2)http://www.junglemusic.net/palms/caryota-mitis.htm (3)http://www.tropilab.com/caryota.html (4).

2.05

(1)naturalized elsewhere (2)World distribution: Native to India, Sri Lanka, to Southeast Asia, introduced to many other tropical countries

(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Caryota+mitis (2)http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/palm_fishtail.htm

3.01

(1)naturalized elsewhere (2)Florida

(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Caryota+mitis (2) http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_WG209

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

(1) "Caryota mitis grows to 5m tall and is native to Burma and Malaysia (Bodkin 1986). The stems are numerous and clumping. The leaves are bipinnate and 2m long, with segments that have a fishtail-like appearance. Propagation is from seed (Bodkin 1986). The plant appears to have weed potential in northern Australia (Dunlop, pens. comm.)." [listed as potential environmental weed in Australia].(2)Listed as a "sleeper" weed in Australia [not yet documented as a problem]
(3) " a common invasive plant in hammocks; " [on the list of plants suggested to be controlled in natural areas of Florida; this is a combined descripton for C. mitis and C. urens; not clear that one or the other has become a specific problem]

(3) http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_WG209

3.05

" a common invasive plant in hammocks; " [on the list of plants suggested to be controlled in natural areas of Florida; this is a combined descripton for C. mitis and C. urens; not clear that one or the other has become a specific problem]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_WG209

4.01

No evidence of such structures.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Edible palm heart (non-destructive)

http://www.quisqualis.com/tv01ediblepalms.html

4.05

No evidence

4.06

[Susceptible to lethal yellowing, a important pathogen attcking many economically significant palm species but it attacks 40+ ornamental palms, probably most palms have symptoms to some degree]

http://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/Palms/lethal_yellow_facts.htm

4.07

(1)However, the fruit and the whole plant can cause severe itching because they contain minute needle-like crystals. (2)Avoid contact with the red fruit produced by this palm. It contains oxalic acid which is toxic when ingested, and contact with skin may result in severe chemical burns. (3)should be kept Out-of-Children's-Reach (4)Calcium Oxalic acids: The juice or sap of these plants contains oxalate crystals. These sharp crystals can irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, resulting in throat swelling, breathing difficulties, burning pain, and stomach discomfort.

(1)http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/palm_fishtail.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cary_mit.cfm (3)http://www.amagickgarden.com/pages/amgpages/amgSHP.html (4)http://www.denverplants.com/foliage/html/Poisonous_Plants.htm

4.08

The fishtail palm is native to southeast Asia where it grows as an understory plant in the tropical rain forest.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cary_mit.cfm

4.09

(1)It is tolerant of low light, and requires lots of water at all times of the year.(2) They will grow best under 63 to 73% shade.

(1)http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/photos/Species/caryota_mitis.htm (2)http://www.farm-life.com/Plant%20pictures%20and%20info/fishtail/fishtail.htm

4.1

(1)Soil requirements: Average moisture, good drainage. (2)Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; alkaline;

(1)http://www.junglemusic.net/palms/caryota-mitis.htm (2)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/CARSPPA.pdf

4.11

No evidence

4.12

Often grown in clumps [but flowering stalks die, making persisten thickets unlkely]

http://www.rancidsawdust.com/limited.htm

5.01

Arecaceae

5.02

Arecaceae

5.03

Arecaceae

5.04

A palm

6.01

The flowers appear in threes, one female flower in between two male ones. Fruits are roundish which turn purplish when they ripen.

http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/palm_fishtail.htm

6.02

Propagation: Seed should be placed into a 50/50 mix of peat and sand, ensure the seed reamin moist and warm at all times. Seed usually take 1 to 3 months to germinate.

http://www.plantfacts.com/Family/Palmae/Caryota.mitis.shtml

6.03

No evidence

6.04

No evidence

6.05

Pollination of palms is by wind or by insects

http://palmbiota.ifas.ufl.edu/

6.06

(1)Propagation: Seed should be placed into a 50/50 mix of peat and sand, ensure the seed reamin moist and warm at all times. Seed usually take 1 to 3 months to germinate. (2)Suckering/Solitary: Suckering (single trunk). (2)Propagation: seeds, division of clumps. (3)After the last flowering, the stem dies and should be removed. The clump will survive, however, and will produce additional stems. (4)After the last flowering, the stem dies and should be removed. The clump will survive, however, and will produce additional stems. (5)The palm also reproduces from numerous suckers growing from the base. [clump forming by basal suckers but no evidence of natural spread by vegetative fragmentation]

(1)http://www.plantfacts.com/Family/Palmae/Caryota.mitis.shtml (2)http://www.junglemusic.net/palms/caryota-mitis.htm (3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cary_mit.cfm (4)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cary_mit.cfm (5)http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/palm_fishtail.htm

6.07

being monocarpic most Caryotas only live 15-30 years

http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/56542/index.html

7.01

no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachement.

7.02

(1)Used as an interior palm in homes and projects. (2)This palm can be used in shrub borders and outdoor container plantings. It tolerates heavy shade and is often used in interior plantings in commercial buildings. It does well in indoor containers. (3)Uses as food: In India, an edible starch is extracted from the stem, and the palm heart eaten. Like other palms, it is also tapped for sap which is made into palm sugar or fermented to make toddy.

(1)http://www.junglemusic.net/palms/caryota-mitis.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cary_mit.cfm (3)http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/palm_fishtail.htm

7.03

relatively large seeds.

http://www.tropilab.com/caryota.html

7.04

Caryota species are bird dispersed. Ducula spilorrhoa are dispersal agents.

http://www.virtualherbarium.org/palms/psdispersal.html

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Caryota species are bird dispersed. Ducula spilorrhoa are dispersal agents.

http://www.virtualherbarium.org/palms/psdispersal.html

7.07

no evidence

7.08

bird dispersed.

8.01

[massive seed output based on photos but may take 15 years (monocarpic) so on an annual basis less than 1000 per year]

http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/56542/index.html

8.02

"Germination: 1 to 3 months to germinate in warm media, easy" [no indication of dormancy]

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Palm/Caryota_mitis.html

8.03

"Cut palm below growing point and treat with 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Alternatively, Garlon 4 can be applied to the apical bud."

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_WG209

8.04

"on multiple-trunked (clumping) species, when one trunk is cut the plant will resprout;"

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_WG209

8.05

Don’t know