Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Codiaeum variegatum


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -4


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
Original risk assessment

Codiaeum variegatum; garden croton

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

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

n

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

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

y

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

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

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

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

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

y

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

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

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

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

-4

Supporting data:

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

no evidence

1.03

no evidence

2.01

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?409950 (17 April 2002)

"Native Distributional Range:
Asia-Tropical: East Timor; Indonesia; Malaysia [e.]; Papua New Guinea
Australasia: Australia - Queensland [n.]"

2.02

2.03

(1)USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?409950 (17 April 2002) (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/codi_var.cfm

(1)"Native Distributional Range:
Asia-Tropical: East Timor; Indonesia; Malaysia [e.]; Papua New Guinea
Australasia: Australia - Queensland [n.]" (2)USDA zones 10-11

2.04

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?4100◬ݤnces: Morton, J.

"Native Distributional Range:
Asia-Tropical: East Timor; Indonesia; Malaysia [e.]; Papua New Guinea
Australasia: Australia - Queensland [n.]"

2.05

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

p.3. Present in Japan, Brazil, Emgland, Belgium, France, USA.

3.01

Long and Lakela. A Flora of Tropical Florida. University of Maimi Press, Maimi.

"doubtfull that it is naturalized in Florida"

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CODVARA.PDF

in Florida not known to be invasive

3.05

no evidence

4.01

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

no description of these traits

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

(1)Hochleithner, M. (1991) Poisoning in a Mealy Amazon (Amazona farinosa ) through ingestion of croton leaves (Codiaecum variegatum pictum ). [FT: Vergiftung durch Aufnahme von Blättern des Wunderstrauches (Krotonpflanze - Codiaeum variegatum pictum ) bei einer Mülleramazone (Amazona farinosa ).] Wiener Tierärztliche Monatsschrift, 1991, Vol.78, No.2, pp.68-70, 10 ref. (2)http://www.spacerad.com/lara/plant.html (3)kirstinkey.tripod.com/cavy_dangerousplants.html

(1)A Mealy Amazon that developed apathy, dehydration and haemorrhagic diuresis after ingesting about 0.6 g of croton leaf did not respond well to symptomatic treatment, and had to be force-fed for 2 days. Blood tests of kidney and liver functions indicated disturbances of both organs. (2)Poison to rabbits (3)Poison to cavies

4.06

United States Department of Agriculture (1976) Hawaii pest report - new records. Cooperative Plant Pest Report, 1976, Vol.1, No.26, p.372

AB: Nymphs of Orchamoplatus mammaeferus (Quaint. & Baker) were collected from Codiaeum variegatum at Oahu, Hawaii in June 1976. This is a new record for the United States. The aleyrodid is known in Australia, Fiji, the Society, Cook and Marquesas Islands, Malaya and Java, where it infests C. variegatum (leafcroton), Citrus medica (citron) and orange, but it has not been reported from the continental United States. Its food-plant range in Hawaii is under study.

4.07

Derek B. Munro (1993-) Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System. Agriculture and Agri-(1)Food Canada. available at <http://sis.agr.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.info?p_psn=128&p_type=all&p_sci=sci&p_x=px> (2)http://www.uws.edu.au/vip/listerp/poisonp.htm (3)http://www.safekid.org/plants.htm (4)http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/BotDermE/EUPH.html

(1)General poisoning notes: Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) is a common houseplant. Chewing the bark and roots is said to cause burning of the mouth. Some young leaves are used in the East Indies as a vegetable, but cases of irritation have been reported. The latex has caused eczema in some gardeners (Morton 1962, Frohne and Pfander 1983).References: Morton, J. F. 1962. Ornamental plants with toxic and or irritant properties. II. Proc. Fla. State Hortic. Soc., 75: 484-491. Perkins, K. D., Payne, W. W. 1978. Guide to the poisonous and irritant plants of Florida. Univ. Fla. Agric. Ext. Serv. Circ., 441. 84 pp. (2)Plant regarded as safe (3)ACCEPTABLE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PLANT, posing a low risk of poisoning children and may be considered for use in the home (4)The young leaves of certain of the yellow varieties are eaten as flavouring. lthough mature leaves may be irritant, the plant is rarely a cause of dermatitis despite much handling of foliage for decoration and of cuttings for propagation

4.08

unlikely, leaves thick, somewhat fleshy.

4.09

(1)Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref. (2)http://www.naplesnews.com/today/homes/d372235a.htm(3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/codi_var.cfm (4)http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/semishadetosun.htm (5)http://mgonline.com/shrubs.html

p.10 "Most crotoon grown in full sun light produce more brilliantly colored leaves than those grown in full shade"; "slightly shadfe from trees would be ideal" (2)Light Requirements: Full sun (3) Grows in open forests and scrub, bright light or partial shade (4)Semi-shade to sun (5)many types live happily in shade

4.1

(1)Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref. (2)http://mgonline.com/shrubs.html (3)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CODVARA.PDF

(1)p. 10 "Light, well drained, slightly acid soil with a generous supply of organic matter is recommended" (2)not fussy for food or water or soil (3)acidic; alkaline; sand; loam; clay

4.11

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

shrub-small tree

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

shrub-small tree; Euphorbiaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

shrub-small tree

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

p.8-9 "Propagation by cuttings, air layering and from seed"

6.03

no evidence

6.04

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

p.11"When the stigma has become receptive, it is shiny and sticky. If at this time pollen from a male flower is dusted on the stigma and the flower stalk covered with a papper bag to prevent any other pollination, you can control the parents of the cross"

6.05

small white flowers, no specialized corolla tube

6.06

no evidence

6.07

R. Criley, UH Department of Horticulture, personal communication

7.01

no evidence

7.02

widely cultivated as oramental

7.03

no evidence

7.04

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

p.9 "Pick the seed capsule and place under cover before it is completely dry so the the seeds will not be lost when they are violently ejected from the capsule"

7.05

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

p.9 "Pick the seed capsule and place under cover before it is completely dry so the the seeds will not be lost when they are violently ejected from the capsule"

7.06

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

p.9 "Pick the seed capsule and place under cover before it is completely dry so the the seeds will not be lost when they are violently ejected from the capsule"

7.07

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

p.9 "Pick the seed capsule and place under cover before it is completely dry so the the seeds will not be lost when they are violently ejected from the capsule"

7.08

no evidence

8.01

(1)Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref. (2)Whistler, W.A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press. Portland.

(1)p.12 "In about six weeks, one to three seeds that resemble small castor beans will be matured in capsules about the size of a large pea" (2)Many flowers are male, capsules formed infrequently in cultivation

8.02

Rauch, F. D.; Barrows, J.; Watson, D. P. (1980) Crotons in Hawaii. Circular, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii University, 1980, No.433, 12 pp., 4 ref.

p.9 "The first immature pairs of leaves will apear in about 2 weeks" [no indication of dormancy]

8.03

Burt, E. O.; Neel, P. L.1974. Weed control for ornamental plants. University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences: Annual Research Report, 1972.

severely injured by glyphosate

8.04

Can be grown as a hedge but doesn't do well with frequent pruning

8.05

(1)United States Department of Agriculture (1976) Hawaii pest report - new records. Cooperative Plant Pest Report, 1976, Vol.1, No.26, p.372 (2)http://www.hort.wisc.edu/Hort233Site/notes/Codiaeum%20variegatum.html

(1) Nymphs of Orchamoplatus mammaeferus (Quaint. & Baker) were collected from Codiaeum variegatum at Oahu, Hawaii in June 1976. This is a new record for the United States. The aleyrodid is known in Australia, Fiji, the Society, Cook and Marquesas Islands, Malaya and Java, where it infests C. variegatum (leafcroton), Citrus medica (citron) and orange, but it has not been reported from the continental United States. Its food-plant range in Hawaii is under study. (2)Problems from spider mites, scale, mealy bugs


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