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
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
Cassia grandis
RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -5
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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 |
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Cassia grandis; pink shower |
Answer |
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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 |
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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 |
n |
|
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 |
n |
|
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 |
n |
|
4.1 |
Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island) |
y=1, n=0 |
n |
|
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 |
y |
|
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 |
4 |
|
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 |
n |
|
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 |
n |
|
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 |
y |
|
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 |
|
8.05 |
Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents) |
y=-1, n=1 |
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Total score: |
-5 |
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Supporting data:
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Source |
Notes |
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1.01 |
no evidence |
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1.02 |
no evidence |
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1.03 |
no evidence |
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2.01 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
C. grandis is an element of lowland and riparian,
semideciduos forests, occurring naturally from Mexico to South America.
Natural latitude range: Approximate limits north to south: 20°N to 21°S |
|
2.02 |
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2.03 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
Climate descriptors |
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2.04 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
Natural latitude range: Approximate limits north to south: 20°N to 21°S List of countries with natural populations |
|
2.05 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
List of countries where planted |
|
3.01 |
(1)Long and Lakela. A flora of tropical Florida. University of Maimi Press (2)Little et al. Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. USDA, Washington DC. |
(1)Persisting on former homesites (2)Possibly naturalized on St. Croix and St. Thomas islands |
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3.02 |
no evidence |
|
|
3.03 |
no evidence |
|
|
3.04 |
no evidence |
|
|
3.05 |
Note: The weedy "Cassias" have been are now in the genus Senna because of important differences from the "true" Cassias |
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|
4.01 |
smooth tree |
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|
4.02 |
no evidence |
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|
4.03 |
free living tree |
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|
4.04 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
"The species has agroforestry potential for dry zones, especially in Central America, and is recommended for arborization of perennial crops and pastures, the fruits are highly appreciated by the cattle. " |
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4.05 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
"The species has agroforestry potential for dry zones, especially in Central America, and is recommended for arborization of perennial crops and pastures, the fruits are highly appreciated by the cattle. " |
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4.06 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
Pests recorded |
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4.07 |
no evidence |
|
|
4.08 |
Unlikely, single-trunked, large tree. |
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|
4.09 |
(1)CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.driftwoodgardens.com/rainbowshowercassiagrandis.htm |
(1)"C. grandis can be planted under direct sunlight in mixed tree systems, in fertile soils." (2)Grow in full light |
|
4.1 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
(1) Descriptors |
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4.11 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
tree, "the species is usually 10-15 m high" |
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4.12 |
no evidence |
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5.01 |
terrestrial tree |
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5.02 |
terrestrial tree |
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|
5.03 |
Forest, Farm, and Community Tree Network (FACT Net) |
on the list of nitrogen fixing trees |
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5.04 |
tree |
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6.01 |
no evidence |
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|
6.02 |
Flores, E. M.; Rivera, D. I.; Vásquez, N. M. (1986) Germination and development of seedlings of Cassia grandis (Caesalpinioideae). [FT: Germinación y desarrollo de la plántula de Cassia grandis L. (Caesalpinioideae).] Revista de Biología Tropical, 1986, Vol.34, No.2, pp.289-296, 15 ref. |
AB: A report of laboratory studies, and of field studies in Costa Rica. C. grandis flowers from January to May and the pods of the preceding year ripen from February to May. The seeds are hard coated and require mechanical scarification for germination. Germination is epigeal and phanerocotylar and begins 2 to 3 days after sowing. Seedling development is initially rapid but after 2 months it becomes very slow. Diagrams are given of seed and seedling morphology, and electron micrographs of the seed and leaf surfaces and of a transverse section of a seed. |
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6.03 |
no evidence |
|
|
6.04 |
no evidence |
|
|
6.05 |
bees |
|
|
6.06 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
- Ability to sucker; regenerate rapidly (not reproduction by fragmentation) |
|
6.07 |
R. Criley, UH Department of Horticulture, personal communication |
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|
7.01 |
massive seeds |
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7.02 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
List of countries where planted |
|
7.03 |
massive seeds |
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|
7.04 |
massive seeds |
|
|
7.05 |
not typically growing near water |
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|
7.06 |
(1)http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0801.htm (2)Little et al. Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. USDA, Washington DC. |
(1)likely dispersed by large prehistoric herbivores thousands of years ago (2)Huge seed pods do NOT break open naturally. |
|
7.07 |
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0801.htm |
likely dispersed by large prehistoric herbivores thousands of years ago |
|
7.08 |
Janzen, D. H. (1981) Digestive seed predation by a Costa Rican Baird's tapir. Biotropica, 1981, Vol.13, No.2, Supplement, pp.59-63, 10 ref. |
AB: Large ungerminated seeds of guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum ) and carao trees (Cassia grandis ) were fed to a captive adult male Tapirus bairdi. Digestive processes killed 78% of the guanacaste seeds and all the carao seeds. The role of the tapir as seed predator and/or dispersal agent for guanacaste is discussed. |
|
8.01 |
massive seeds |
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8.02 |
(1) Vijayalalitha, S. J.; Rajasekaran, L. R. (1997)
Germination inhibitors in pink cassia (Cassia grandis ) - a possible role in
dormancy. Advances in Plant Sciences, 1997, Vol.10, No.1, pp.227-228, 2 ref.
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(1) AB: An ethyl acetate extract of seeds of C. grandis
inhibited the germination of mung bean [Vigna radiata ] seeds and seedling
growth. It was concluded that delayed germination of C. grandis seeds could
be due to the presence of inhibitors. |
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8.03 |
no evidence |
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8.04 |
CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. |
- Ability to sucker; regenerate rapidly |
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8.05 |
no evidence |
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This page updated 30 September 2005