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

Corymbia ficifolia (F. Muell.) K. D. Hill & L. A. S. Johnson; red-flowering gum
Synonyms: Eucalyptus ficifolia F. Muell. [basionym]

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

1

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

n

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

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

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

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

n

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

y

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

y

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

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:

-7

Notes

Source

1.01

no evidence

1.02

no evidence

1.03

no evidence

2.01

(1) Natural latitude range, Approximate limits north to south: 34S to 35S
List of countries with natural populations
Oceania: [Australia]Western Australia
(2) USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11
(3) Hardiness Range: 9B - 11
(4) AB: "Eucalyptus ficifolia, a tender species not normally surviving temperatures lower than -1 deg to -4 deg C, is reported here to have survived 3 relatively mild winters in Dublin and to have flowered in September-November, 1976. " (5)The species is best suited to temperate districts with low summer rainfall and humidity.

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
(2) http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/EUCFICA.pdf
(3) http://www.horticopia.com/hortpix/html/pc2305.htm
(4) Robinson, D. W. (1978) A crimson flowered eucalyptus in Ireland. Garden, UK, 1978, Vol.103, No.3, pp.105-106, 6 ref. (5)http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/c-fic.html

2.02

NOT suited to tropical or subtropical areas

http://www.australiaplants.com/corymbia_ficifolia.htm

2.03

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/c-fic.html

2.04

Natural latitude range, Approximate limits north to south: 34S to 35S
List of countries with natural populations
Oceania: [Australia] Western Australia

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.05

List of countries where planted
Europe: Ireland
Asia
[India] Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh
Sri Lanka
Africa: Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
North America: [USA] California
South America: Chile
Oceania: [Australia] New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
New Zealand

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

3.01

no evidence

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

no evidence

3.05

(1)Corymbia citriodora: Bushland Weeds of the Blue Mountains Region Australis; These lists were compiled by the Bushland Weeds Education Group, Sydney (An initiative of the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators). They have been prepared by practising Bush Regenerators to provide information about which popular garden plants have been found to be troublesome or destructive weeds in bushland of the Sydney region. [native to Australia] (2)Listed as an environmental weed of serious concern in Western Australia(2)Eucalyptus citriodora (syn. Corymbia citriodora), Lemon-scented Gum is invasive in north-east Victoria

(1)http://www.zipworld.com.au/~aabr/info/weed_lists/weed02.html (2)Randall, R. 2000. Garden Thugs. Plant Protection Quarterly (2)http://www.aildm.com.au/articles/plant%20info/weeds.htm

4.01

no description of these traits

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/EUCFICA.pdf

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

Chemical properties of Eucalyptus deter grazing

http://www.ganesha.co.uk/Articles/Eucalyptus.htm

4.05

no evidence

4.06

no evidence

4.07

no evidence

4.08

Eucalyptus ficifolia is a small, straggly, much branched tree to 6-12 m tall, with a broad leafy crown. [New genus Corymbia does not have intensely aromatic foliage; could not find any evidence of assocaition with fire, but growth form could promote fire if dense stands were present]

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.09

(1)Light requirement: tree grows in full sun (2)sun (3)Full sun

(1)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/EUCFICA.pdf (2)http://www.australiaplants.com/corymbia_ficifolia.htm (3)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Eucalyptus_ficifolia.html

4.1

(1) "It tolerates a wide variety of soils and is reasonably drought and frost tolerant once past the sapling stage."
Descriptors
- Soil texture: light; medium; heavy
- Soil drainage: free
- Soil reaction: acid
- Special soil tolerances: infertile
(2) Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; slightly alkaline; acidic; well-drained (3)prefers poor sandy soil but is adaptable to other soil types in cultivation.

(2) http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/EUCFICA.pdf (3)http://www.warrenvalleynursery.com.au/information1.htm#fici

4.11

tree

4.12

"Eucalyptus ficifolia is a small, straggly, much branched tree to 6-12 m tall, with a broad leafy crown. " [probably not, tree with broad crown]

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

5.01

"E. ficifolia occurs naturally in a restricted area on coastal sands near Albany in the south of Western Australia."

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

5.02

tree; Myrtaceae, may eventually reach 15 metres but is often smaller.

http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/c-fic.html

5.03

no evidence

5.04

tree

6.01

no evidence

6.02

"Propagation of Eucalyptus is by seed, using ripe seed capsules taken off trees."

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/EUCFICA.pdf

6.03

appparently crossed with E. caesia

http://homepage.tinet.ie/~earlscliffe/about.htm

6.04

p.194 " Cass Smith reported that E. ficifolia is entirely cross-pollinated in nature."

Eldridge, K. et al. (1993) Eucalypt domestication and breeding Oxford : Clarendon Press ; New York : Oxford University Press, 288 pp.

6.05

(1) AB: "Larvae of the eucalypt nectar fly, Drosophila flavohirta , which compete with honey bees for this nectar, were much more abundant in Eucalyptus flowers than previously reported from the western Cape."
(2) p.188 "It appears that pollination in all eucalypt species is effected by animal vectors, particularly insects. A number of species with very large flowers (more than 2 cm diameter) are considered to be predominatly pollinated by birds."
(3) up to 35mm in diam.
(4) flower red, some forms have white or pink flowers.
(5) photo of Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna), feeding on the flowers of Red Flowering Gum [ bird pollination syndrome (large, red, nectar rich)]

(1) Nicolson, S. W. (1994) Eucalyptus nectar: production, availability, composition and osmotic consequences for the larva of the eucalypt nectar fly, Drosophila flavohirta . South African Journal of Science, 1994, Vol.90, No.2, pp.75-79
(2) Eldridge, K. et al. (1993) Eucalypt domestication and breeding Oxford : Clarendon Press ; New York : Oxford University Press, 288 pp.
(3) Penfold, A. R. & J.L. Willis (1961) The eucalypts: botany, cultivation, chemistry, and utilization. Interscience Publishers , London, L. Hill; New York 1961. 551 pp. p.345
(4) Kelly, Stan. (1969) Eucalypts. Text by G. M. Chippendale and R. D. Johnston. Nelson, Melbourne 1969. 82pp.
(5) http://plantsdatabase.com/showpicture/18708/

6.06

no evidence

6.07

(1)Robinson, D. W. (1978) A crimson flowered eucalyptus in Ireland. Garden, UK, 1978, Vol.103, No.3, pp.105-106, 6 ref. (2)http://pln.netc.net.au/parklanenursery/plantids.html (3)http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Corymbia-ficifolia

7.01

Silvicultural practice descriptors
- Seed storage orthodox
- Vegetative propagation by grafting; tissue culture [only artificialy]
- Stand establishment using planting stock

7.02

List of countries where planted
Europe: Ireland
Asia
[India] Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh
Sri Lanka
Africa: Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
North America: [USA] California
South America: Chile
Oceania: [Australia] New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
New Zealand

7.03

no evidence

7.04

"C.ficifolia seeds are brown and prominently winged"

http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/APOL23/sep01-14.html

7.05

no evidence

7.06

"thick woody, broadly urn-shaped fruits are 1 to 1 1/2" long and as wide. "

http://www.ci.la.ca.us/BOSS/streettree/EucalyptusFicifolia.htm

7.07

no evidence

7.08

no evidence of ingestion

8.01

(1) Approximate viable seed per gram 25.
(2) 21,000 seeds per kg
(3) The largest eucalypt seeds are those of Corymbia calophylla (Marri). They are about 15 mm long, black and glossy, and weigh about one-seventh of a gram. Almost as large are the seeds of C. haematoxylon and C. ficifolia. [realtively large seeds among Eucalyptus species] (4)heavily only every second year

(1) http://www.nzseeds.co.nz/seed_list/Eucalyptus_ficifolia..html
(2) http://www.setropa.com/setropa_2003.pdf
(3) http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/APOL23/sep01-14.html (4)http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Corymbia-ficifolia

8.02

p.54 "Eucalypt seed which will remain viable only a short time in soil, probably no more than 6-12 month."; "The seed of euclypt is normally released from its woody capsule at the end of a seasonally dry period. Afire which scorcheds the crown of a eucalypt but does not burn the capsules may trigger a near total release of seed from a mature capsule crop soon after the fire." [characteristics of the genus]

Florence, R. G. (1996) Ecology and silviculture of eucalypt forests. CSIRO, Australia, Collingwood, Vic., Australia. 1996. 413 pp.

8.03

no evidence of being controlled for

8.04

- Ability to suited for coppicing; suited for pollarding

CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

8.05

no evidence