Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Cissus rotundifolia


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 9


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment
  Cissus rotundifolia Common name - Venezuelan treebine, Arabian Wax Cissus, Peruvian Grape Ivy.  Family - Vitaceae Answer Score
1.01 Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01) n 0
1.02 Has the species become naturalized where grown?    
1.03 Does the species have weedy races?    
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” 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
2.04 Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates y 1
2.05 Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?  y=-2 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
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) y 2
4.01 Produces spines, thorns or burrs n 0
4.02 Allelopathic n 0
4.03 Parasitic n 0
4.04 Unpalatable to grazing animals    
4.05 Toxic to animals n 0
4.06 Host for recognized pests and pathogens n 0
4.07 Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans n 0
4.08 Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems n 0
4.09 Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle y 1
4.1 Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)    
4.11 Climbing or smothering growth habit y 1
4.12 Forms dense thickets y 1
5.01 Aquatic n 0
5.02 Grass n 0
5.03 Nitrogen fixing woody plant n 0
5.04 Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers) n 0
6.01 Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat n 0
6.02 Produces viable seed. y 1
6.03 Hybridizes naturally    
6.04 Self-compatible or apomictic    
6.05 Requires specialist pollinators    
6.06 Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation y 1
6.07 Minimum generative time (years)                 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1 2 0
7.01 Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas) n -1
7.02 Propagules dispersed intentionally by people y 1
7.03 Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant n -1
7.04 Propagules adapted to wind dispersal n -1
7.05 Propagules water dispersed n -1
7.06 Propagules bird dispersed y 1
7.07 Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) n -1
7.08 Propagules survive passage through the gut y 1
8.01 Prolific seed production (>1000/m2) n -1
8.02 Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)    
8.03 Well controlled by herbicides    
8.04 Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire y 1
8.05 Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)    
  Total score:   9

Supporting data:

  Notes Reference
1.01 No evidence  
1.02    
1.03    
2.01 (1)"Native:
AFRICA
Northeast Tropical Africa: Eritrea; Ethiopia; Somalia; Sudan [s.]
East Tropical Africa: Kenya; Tanzania; Uganda
West-Central Tropical Africa: Zaire
South Tropical Africa: Malawi; Mozambique; Zimbabwe
Southern Africa: South Africa - Natal, Transvaal; Swaziland
ASIA-TEMPERATE
Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia [s.w.]; Yemen   (2)"This member of the Vitaceae  family was descried by Vahl in 1790. It is found in the eastern Africa ..."   (3)"Native from East Africa across to southern Arabia, this cissus is ideally suited to the dry , sun drenched leeward sides of our islands."
(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl  (2)http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/subs/cis-rot-sub.asp   (3)Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 572.
2.02    
2.03 (1)Specimens collected were from a range of 290 m to 1800 m.   (2)Hardiness:
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1°C (30° F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C (35° F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5° C (40° F)
(1)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast  (2)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/104156/index.html
2.04 "Native:
AFRICA
Northeast Tropical Africa: Eritrea; Ethiopia; Somalia; Sudan [s.]
East Tropical Africa: Kenya; Tanzania; Uganda
West-Central Tropical Africa: Zaire
South Tropical Africa: Malawi; Mozambique; Zimbabwe
Southern Africa: South Africa - Natal, Transvaal; Swaziland
ASIA-TEMPERATE
Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia [s.w.]; Yemen
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl
2.05 (1)Introduced to Hawaii.   (2)"The plant has been on sale at the Dutch flower and plant auctions since June 2004 and comes in 14-cm pots containing rectangular or pyramidal climbing supports. Every plant comes complete with a tag containing tips for care. Since its introduction 17,500 plants have been sold and it is available all year round."  (3)"This plant has been said to grow in the following regions: Clayton, California. (1)http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?
search_topic=TSN&search_value=565069  and Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 572.  (2)http://www.flowercouncil.org/int/news/productnews/05_jan_Cissus.asp
3.01 "Cissus rotundiflora is locally naturalized on Kauai, Oahu and Maui." Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 572.
3.02 No evidence  
3.03 No evidence  
3.04 No evidence  
3.05 1)Cissus sicioydes is a weed in citrus crop in Cuba and subjected to control (2)Cissus,incisa, ,ivy treebine,,,,"Source: "USA Composite List of Weeds" published by WSSA WEEDS 14: 347-386, 1966",,WSSA WEEDS 14: 1966 (1)Casamayor, R. & Prieto, V. (1996) Some observations on Cissus sicioydes [C. sicyoides] L. and its control in citrus crops. (Foreign Title: Algunas observaciones sobre Cissus sicioydes L. y su control en el cultivo de los cítricos.) Centro Agrícola, 1996, Vol. 23, No. 1/3, pp. 16-24, 5 ref. (2)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/global/australia/san.html
4.01 No evidence of such structures. Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 572.
4.02 No evidence  
4.03 No evidence  
4.04 Cissus rotundifolia is common in the diet of the leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) in northern Tanzania. No evidence regarding palatability to livestock. xxxx
4.05 No evidence  
4.06 The following 4 fungi were listed to be associated with Cissus rotundifolia: Aecidium vitis (rust): Tanzania - 6827
Glomerella cingulata (leaf spot): Tanzania - 6827
Phyllosticta ampelicida (leaf spot): Tanzania - 6827
Pseudocercospora riachueli (leaf spot): Tanzania - 6827
No evidence that the above are economic pests.
xxxx
4.07 No evidence  
4.08 Probably not - Although it inhabits dry habitats it has thick fleshy leaves - "The wax coating on the leaves means that the plant needs very little water." http://www.flowercouncil.org/int/news/productnews/05_jan_Cissus.asp  AND  http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast
4.09 (1)"It is found in the eastern Africa, growing in a well drained soil with little to some water and some to lots of sun."  (2)"… this cissus is ideally suited to the dry, sun drenched leeward sides of our islands. … It can also be grown as a container specimen in partial shade."  (3)It can be grown as a indoor plant - "Cissus will thrive at room temperature in a light or darker spot. "  (4)"Sun Exposure: Light Shade (1)http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/subs/cis-rot-sub.asp   (2)Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 572.   (3)http://www.flowercouncil.org/int/news/productnews/05_jan_Cissus.asp  (4)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/104156/index.html
4.1 "It is found in the eastern Africa, growing in a well drained soil with little to some water and some to lots of sun."  [Don’t know - no other evidence regarding soil requirements]. (1)http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/subs/cis-rot-sub.asp 
4.11 (1)An herbaceous climber.  Photo of vine.   (2)"Cissus also produces delicate tendrils that allow the plant to climb easily up a stick or support." (1)http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/subs/cis-rot-sub.asp  (2)http://www.flowercouncil.org/int/news/productnews/05_jan_Cissus.asp
4.12 Photo of vine overgrowing a tree. "Can form dense vine blankets". http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/subs/cis-rot-sub.asp
5.01 An herbaceous climber. http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01697274
5.02    
5.03    
5.04    
6.01 Flowering and fruiting specimens were collected from its native range in Africa. http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast
6.02 "It easily propagated from stem cuttings, or the seeds may be cleaned of all fruit pulp and planted." Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 572.
6.03 Don’t know - no evidence of any hybridization in the genus Cissus - but this genus also does not seem to be well studied or represented in the literature. xxxx
6.04 Don’t know.  
6.05 Don’t know. Flowers pale yellowish green. http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01350063
6.06 Dispersal syndrome - birds and vegetatively propagating http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pdf/op65.pdf
6.07 Probably 2 to 3 years - An herbaceous vine with tendrils - cultivated mostly for its leaves and plant architecture, not flowers. xxxx
7.01 Probably not - not know to be grown or occur in heavily trafficked areas. xxxx
7.02 Probably yes - the vine has ornamental value. "The plant has been on sale at the Dutch flower and plant auctions since June 2004 and comes in 14-cm pots containing rectangular or pyramidal climbing supports. Every plant comes complete with a tag containing tips for care. Since its introduction 17,500 plants have been sold and it is available all year round."  (3)"This plant has been said to grow in the following regions: Clayton, California. http://www.flowercouncil.org/int/news/productnews/05_jan_Cissus.asp
7.03 Probably not - seed relatively large. (1)Photo of fruit.  (2)"Berries ellipsoidal, ca 0.5" long, red or purplish." [Genus characteristic - Fruit a dry berry, globose or obovoid, seeds usually 1 (rarely 2 or 4)]. xxxx
7.04 No evidence  
7.05 No evidence  
7.06 "Fruit eating birds disperse the seeds …" Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 572.
7.07 No evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment. xxxx
7.08 "Fruit eating birds disperse the seeds …" Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 572.
8.01 Probably not - seed relatively large. (1)Photo of fruit.  (2)"Berries ellipsoidal, ca 0.5" long, red or purplish." [Genus characteristic - Fruit a dry berry, globose or obovoid, seeds usually 1 (rarely 2 or 4)]. (1)http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/subs/cis-rot-sub.asp  (2)Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 572.
8.02 No evidence regarding seed longevity.  
8.03 No evidence that the species is being controlled for. xxxx
8.04 Probably can stand mutilation - if it can propagate vegetatively. http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pdf/op65.pdf
8.05 Don’t know.  

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This page was created on 26 December 2006 by JS, and was last updated on 14 July 2017 by PT.