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

Conocarpus erectus (button mangrove)

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

n

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

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

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

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

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

y

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

y

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

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:

3

Source

Notes

1.01

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

a variety "sericeus" known

1.02

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

in Hawaii cultivated and "sparingly naturalized" in coastal areas on Oahu, Lanai and Maui

1.03

no evidence

2.01

(1)Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547 (2)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?11263 (27 September 2001)

(1)"Native to coastal areas of Neotropics from Florida and Mexico to Ecuador and Brazil, also in tropiucal western Africa"(2)Native range: Africa: Angola [Cabinda]; Cameroon; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Liberia; Nigeria; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Zaire [w.] Northern America: Mexico [coastal]; United States - Florida [keys] Southern America: Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; Bahamas; Belize; Brazil; Colombia; Costa Rica; Cuba; Ecuador; El Salvador; French Guiana; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Guatemala; Guyana; Hispaniola; Honduras; Jamaica; Martinique; Montserrat; Nicaragua; Panama; Peru; Puerto Rico; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago; Venezuela

2.02

based on distribution

2.03

Gilman EF, HW Beck, DG Watson, P. Fowler, DL Weigle & NR Morgan 1996. Southern Trees 2nd edition. University of Florida

USDA Hardiness Zone 10B-11

2.04

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

"Native to coastal areas of Neotropics from Florida and Mexico to Ecuador and Brazil, also in tropiucal western Africa"

2.05

Little, E.L. Jr. 1983. Common fuelwood crops: a handbook for their identification. McClain Printing Co., Parsons, WV. Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

"Not widely introduced" (Little 1983), no additional evidence except Hawaii, and some other Pacific islands. Native range is enormous, leaving few areas available for introductions

3.01

Allen, J. A. 1998. Mangroves as alien species: the case of Hawaii. Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters, 1998, Vol.7, No.1, pp.61-71, abstract

in Hawaii cultivated and "sparingly naturalized" in coastal areas on Oahu, Lanai and Maui

3.02

no evidence indicated that it is a weed

3.03

no evidence indicated that it is a weed

3.04

no evidence indicated that it is a weed

3.05

no evidence indicated that any Conocarpus species is a weed

4.01

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

4.02

no evidence

4.03

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

4.04

4.05

no evidence

4.06

(1) Miller, J.W., and J.J. McRitchie. 1973. Cylindrocladium scoparium, causal agent of a new disease of silver buttonwood and its control. Pl. Dis. Reporter 57:500-503, abstract (2) Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory (SBML), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Fungal Databases/Fungus-Host Distributions. http://nt.ars-grin.gov/index.htm

4.07

no evidence

4.08

Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd.

low flammability

4.09

Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd.

light requirement: full sun

4.1

Gilman EF, HW Beck, DG Watson, P. Fowler, DL Weigle & NR Morgan 1996. Southern Trees 2nd edition. University of Florida

clay, loam, sand; acidic, alkaline; good salt tolerant

4.11

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

shrubs or tees

4.12

no evidence

5.01

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

5.02

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

5.03

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

5.04

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Allen, J. A. 1998. Mangroves as alien species: the case of Hawaii. Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters, 1998, Vol.7, No.1, pp.61-71, abstract

natural population occurred and the only way of reproductive known is by seeds

6.03

6.04

6.05

no evidence

6.06

no evidence

6.07

Hernandez, CT; Lanza Espino, G de la 1999. Ecologia, produccion y aprovechamiento del mangle Conocarpus erectus L., en Barra de Tecoanapa Guerrero, Mexico. (Ecology, production and use of the mangrove Conocarpus erectus L. from Barra de Tecoanapa Guerrero, Mexico.) Biotropica. Mar 1999. v. 31 (1) p. 121-134, abstract

takes 25-28 months until first flowering, fruits may ripen in 3rd year

7.01

(1) Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd. (2) Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

(1) used as street trees;(2) with small wind dispersed seeds

7.02

Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd.

ornamentals

7.03

no evidence

7.04

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

fruit scale-like, coriaceous, laterally compressed and 2-winged

7.05

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

a mangrove which often colonizes costal areas

7.06

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

fruit scale-like, coriaceous, laterally compressed and 2-winged

7.07

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

fruit scale-like, coriaceous, laterally compressed and 2-winged

7.08

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai'i. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. p. 547

fruit scale-like, coriaceous, laterally compressed and 2-winged

8.01

Hernandez, CT; Lanza Espino, G de la 1999. Ecologia, produccion y aprovechamiento del mangle Conocarpus erectus L., en Barra de Tecoanapa Guerrero, Mexico. (Ecology, production and use of the mangrove Conocarpus erectus L. from Barra de Tecoanapa Guerrero, Mexico.) Biotropica. Mar 1999. v. 31 (1) p. 121-134, p.124

7441-23267 seeds/square meter

8.02

Hernandez, CT; Lanza Espino, G de la 1999. Ecologia, produccion y aprovechamiento del mangle Conocarpus erectus L., en Barra de Tecoanapa Guerrero, Mexico. (Ecology, production and use of the mangrove Conocarpus erectus L. from Barra de Tecoanapa Guerrero, Mexico.) Biotropica. Mar 1999. v. 31 (1) p. 121-134, p.124

No direct evidence, however seed production is continuous through the year producing large number of small seeds with low germination and survival rate.

8.03

8.04

no evidence

8.05