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

Cecropia peltata (trumpet tree, trumpet wood, snake wood, embauba, Yagrumo hembra)

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

y

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

y

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

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

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

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

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

n

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

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

y

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

y

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

9

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1) 'In the three African regions where C. peltata was introduced, the species has been spreading in disturbed areas in competition with native 'pioneer' species.' 'It has also been recorded as colonizing old lava flows on Mt Cameroon.' '...in the Ivory Coast the rate of spread was very slow for the first six decades and only after the destruction of most the forest cover did the speed of its spread increase markedly.'
(2) '...it has naturalized in parts of Africa.' (3) widely established in the forests to several hundred meters elevation on Tahiti and Raiatea.

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cecr_pel.cfm (3)http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=116&fr=1&sts=tss

1.03

No evidence

2.01

'The three sub-species of the C. peltata complex are distributed as follows: C. peltata in Central America, northern South America and some Caribbean islands…'

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

2.02

2.03

(1) 'It is found from 50 to 1300 m (164 to 4,265 ft) in elevation on ridges, slopes, and flats but appears to be at its optimum in coves or protected areas.'; absent from dry coastal and dry limestone areas. (2)found most frequently in the wetter life zones: Subtropical Moist Forest, with 990 to 2010 mm (39 to 79 in) of precipitation annually; Subtropical Wet Forest, with 2010 to 3990 mm (79 to 157 in); Subtropical Rain Forest, with 3810 mm (150 in) and greater; Subtropical Lower Montane Rain Forest, with 2010 to 3990 mm (79 to 157 in); and Subtropical Lower Montane Wet Forest, with 3810 mm (150 in) and greater. [broad rainfall tolerance] (3)50-2900 feet in West Indies

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm (3)Adams, C.D. Flowering plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies Press. Mona

2.04

'The three sub-species of the C. peltata complex are distributed as follows: C. peltata in Central America, northern South America and some Caribbean islands…'

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

2.05

Introduced to Cameroon, Zaire, Java, Malaysia and the Ivory coast.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

3.01

(1) 'In the three African regions where C. peltata was introduced, the species has been spreading in disturbed areas in competition with native 'pioneer' species.' 'It has also been recorded as colonizing old lava flows on Mt Cameroon.' '...in the Ivory Coast the rate of spread was very slow for the first six decades and only after the destruction of most the forest cover did the speed of its spread increase markedly.'
(2) '...it has naturalized in parts of Africa.' (3) widely established in the forests to several hundred meters elevation on Tahiti and Raiatea.

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cecr_pel.cfm (3)http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=116&fr=1&sts=tss

3.02

(1) 'In the three African regions where C. peltata was introduced, the species has been spreading in disturbed areas in competition with native 'pioneer' species.' (2)It is an early invader of forested areas subject to natural or human disturbances (3)common on recently cleared forested land

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm (3)Adams, C.D. Flowering plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies Press. Mona

3.03

Listed as a common weed in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. [not evidence of an economic weed]

Holmes et al. 1997. An electronic atlas of weeds and invasive species. CD-ROM database. Version 1.

3.04

(1) 'In the three African regions where C. peltata was introduced, the species has been spreading in disturbed areas in competition with native 'pioneer' species.' Impact on vegetation succession unknown. (2)It is an early invader of forested areas subject to natural or human disturbances [Appears mainly to be a disturbance weed]

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm

3.05

http://www.issg.org/features/invasives_on_tonga.html

4.01

No evidence

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

AB: "The results are presented of a characterization of woody species occurring in the secondary forest of El Petén, Guatemala with respect to their ecology, nutritive value and palatability."; "The species most consumed were Cecropia peltata and Brosimum alicastrum , with dry matter consumption levels of 2.14 and 2.03% of liveweight per day."

Hernández, S.; Benavides, J. (1995) Fodder potential of woody species from the secondary forest of El Petén, Guatemala. [FT: Potencial forrajero de especies leñosas de los bosques secundarios de El Petén, Guatemala.] Agroforestería en las Américas, 1995, Vol.2, No.6, pp.15-22, 22 ref.

4.05

AB: "The species most consumed were Cecropia peltata and Brosimum alicastrum , with dry matter consumption levels of 2.14 and 2.03% of liveweight per day."

Hernández, S.; Benavides, J. (1995) Fodder potential of woody species from the secondary forest of El Petén, Guatemala. [FT: Potencial forrajero de especies leñosas de los bosques secundarios de El Petén, Guatemala.] Agroforestería en las Américas, 1995, Vol.2, No.6, pp.15-22, 22 ref.

4.06

(1)Pests and diseases: It is attacked by Historis spp. and various moth species. (2) 'In the seedling and sapling stages a major cause of mortality is defoliation by the larvae of the following: Prepodes spp., Gynaecia dirce, Historis odious, Correbidia terminalis, and Sylepta salicalis (22). The cotton or melon aphid (Aphis gossypii) is also commonly observed on leaves of yagrumo hembra. [melon aphid generalist]
(3) AB: "Escaped trees grew faster, suffered less herbivore damage and were less often liana-laden than 5 sympatric Malaysian pioneer species. Results are discussed in relation to Cecropia-Azteca mutualism, Cecropia attributes that contribute to pioneer success, and relative abundance of herbivores and lianas." [Azteca not a recognized pest]
(4) AB: The Macadamia integrifolia root rot pathogen is newly recorded on Melochia indica and Cecropia peltata in ohia (Metrosideros collina ) forests. The isolation of the fungus from stromata on tree trunks indicates that stem tissues should be removed fro

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm
(3) Putz, F. E.; Holbrook, N. M. (1988)Further observations on the dissolution of mutualism between Cecropia and its ants: the Malaysian case. Oikos, 1988, Vol.53, No.1, pp.121-125, 32 ref.
(4) Ko, W. H.; Tomita, J.; Short, R. L. (1986) Two natural hosts of Kretzschmaria clavus in Hawaiian forests. Plant Pathology, 1986, Vol.35, No.2, pp.254-255, 2 ref.

4.07

'The only toxicity information available indicates that Cecropia spp. may cause itching and skin rashes. These reactions are caused by the leaves and by the ants residing in the trees.'

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/medicinal/cecrop.html

4.08

Probably not since it is evergreen and inhabits mostly moist areas. - 'Moist tropical and sub-tropical regions, but is absent from dry coastal and dry limestone areas.'

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

4.09

Shade intolerant species which dominates early succession.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

4.1

'Yagrumo hembra grows on alluvial, colluvial, and residual soils neutral to acidic in nature. These soils may be derived from tuffs; volcanic rock, andesitic or dioritic in composition; limestone; or serpentine. Soil texture may range from heavy clay to sandy, but a clay-loam soil is optimal.' -Yagrumo hembra = Cecropia peltata.

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm

4.11

Probably not - not a vine.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

4.12

(1) 'Although initially dependent upon the size of the openings, pure dense stands of yagrumo hembra, once established, may persist for several years following the disturbance.' (2) ' As it rapidly forms a dense stand.'

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm

5.01

Tree growing up to 20 m tall in Cecropiaceae.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

5.02

5.03

5.04

6.01

A spike contains around 800 viable seeds which are about 1.9 mm long and weigh 1.6 mg.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

6.02

(1)A spike contains around 800 viable seeds which are about 1.9 mm long and weigh 1.6 mg. (2)B 'lum reported that yagrumo hembra seedlings grew in 4 to 10 soil samples taken from mature forests in Panama.

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm

6.03

6.04

Reproductive biology: "C. peltata is dioecious"

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

6.05

The minute flowers are clustered on 5 to 10 cm long spikes and are wind-pollinated.'

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

6.06

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500704.html

6.07

(1)'C. peltata is dioecious and becomes sexually mature in 3 to 5 years.' (2) 'Reproductive maturity is reached at an earlier age, 3 or 4 years by pistillate than by staminate trees, which mature at 4 to 5 years.'

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm

7.01

no evidence

7.02

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500704.html

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

'In Trinidad bats eat large quantities of the succulent fruits, thus are the main seed disperser although birds also distribute the seeds. In Costa Rica a similar amount of fruits are consumed during the day, mainly by monkeys, and at night by bats and arboreal mammals.'

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

7.07

No evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.08

(1) 'In Trinidad bats eat large quantities of the succulent fruits, thus are the main seed disperser although birds also distribute the seeds. In Costa Rica a similar amount of fruits are consumed during the day, mainly by monkeys, and at night by bats and arboreal mammals.' (2) 'Seeds are dispersed primarily by bats and birds; seeds pass through the digestive tracts unharmed.'

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm

8.01

(1)A spike contains around 800 viable seeds; (2)Seed production by a mature tree during one reproductive year has been estimated to be as high as I million

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm (2)http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm

8.02

Laboratory- stored seeds retained viability for a minimum of 6 months, whereas seeds stored on the forest floor retained viability for only 2 to 3 months. This reduced viability under natural conditions indicates that a constant addition of seeds to the seed bank of the forest floor is necessary for rapid and successful colonization of a forest gap.

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cecropia/peltata.htm

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

C. peltata coppices freely following cutting.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp3.htm

8.05

Don’t know.