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
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: 5 (low risk based on second screen)
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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 |
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Cuphea hyssopifolia; false heather |
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 |
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
1 |
|
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 |
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 |
y |
|
8.05 |
Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents) |
y=-1, n=1 |
|
|
Total score: |
5 |
||
Supporting data:
|
Source |
Notes |
|
|
1.01 |
no evidence |
|
|
1.02 |
(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)Sykes and Garnock-Jones. 1988. Flora of New Zealand volume IV. Division of Botany DSIR, Christchurch NZ. (3)Wagner et al. 1990 |
(1)"Naturalizing" (no specifics) (2)"known from two sites only: Tutukaka and Aukland University grounds. A minor escape from cultivation" (3)Naturalized in mesic, open sites |
|
1.03 |
no evidence |
|
|
2.01 |
Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. |
"Native Habitat: Mexico and Guatemala" |
|
2.02 |
||
|
2.03 |
(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://www.centralcoastgrowers.com/covers1.htm (3)http://davesgarden.com/journal/viewentry/7022/index.html |
(1)"False Heather may be killed to the ground during cold weather in hardiness zones 8 and 9 but will sprout from the base of the stem, particularly if the base of the stem is covered with several inches of mulch. " (2)USDA Hardiness zones: 10-11 (3)Hardiness: Zones 8b-11 |
|
2.04 |
Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. |
"Native Habitat: Mexico and Guatemala" |
|
2.05 |
(1) Kadner, R.; Eckart, G. (1992) Trials with new hanging
basket, bedding and balcony plants. [FT: Neue Ampel-, Beet- und
Balkonpflanzen im Versuch.] Gartenbau Magazin, 1992, Vol.1, No.4, pp.66-68
|
(1) Germany (2) Australia (3) Venezuela (4) Taiwan (4) USA |
|
3.01 |
(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)Sykes and Garnock-Jones. 1988. Flora of New Zealand volume IV. Division of Botany DSIR, Christchurch NZ. (3)Wagner et al. 1990 |
(1)"Naturalizing" (no specifics) (2)"known from two sites only: Tutukaka and Aukland University grounds. A minor escape from cultivation" (3)Naturalized in mesic, open sites |
|
3.02 |
no evidence |
|
|
3.03 |
no evidence |
|
|
3.04 |
no evidence |
|
|
3.05 |
Bacon, P., P.J. Terry, N. Waltham, & P.Castro S. (1997) An Electronic Atlas of World Weed and Invasive Plants. Version 1.0, 1997. A database based on the original work "A Geographical Atlas of World Weeds" by Holm et al 1979. |
Cuphea balsamona was listed as a commom weed in Indonesia;C. carthagenesis was listed as serious weed in USA, principal weed in Fiji and common weed in Brazil;C. wrightii was reported as principal weed in Mexico; |
|
4.01 |
Floridata.com L.C. (1996-2002) Floridata\Plant Reference. Online database. Available at <http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Ref_Using&viewsrc=lists/reference.htm> |
Mexican false heather is a small tropical evergreen sub-shrub with many charming attributes including compact form and fine textured foliage. Growing to a maximum height of about 24 inches, false heather grows to form flat topped mounds 18 to 36 inches in diameter. The plant's flat feathery sprays of foliage are about 12 to 18 inches long and are highly branched. The small oblong leaves resemble those of Scotch heather (genus Calluna also known by its synonym Erica) and are about 3/4 to 1 inch long and 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. They are arranged alternately the length of the stems giving the plant a fernlike appearance. Mexican false heather maintains a dense cover of tiny leaves along its much branched stems and decorates them with tiny jewel-like flowers. In tropical climates tiny flowers emerge from the axils (the points where the leaf attaches to a stem) to create a show of color that lasts for much of the year. False heather flowers range from the typical purple and lavender to the less frequently seen white |
|
4.02 |
no evidence |
|
|
4.03 |
no evidence |
|
|
4.04 |
no evidence |
|
|
4.05 |
no evidence |
|
|
4.06 |
http://doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/96-7&8all.htm |
host plant for silverleaf whitefly (generalist pest) |
|
4.07 |
Author: Dr. Ann I. King [e-mail: aiking@ucdavis.edu , University of California Cooperative Extension, 625 Miramontes, Suite 200, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.] Ann King's Web Page. Available at:<http://envhort.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/> |
"Dermatitis: The juice, sap, or thorns of these plants may cause a skin rash or irritation. Wash the affected area of skin with soap and water as soon as possible after contact. The rashes may be very serious and painful. Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor if symptoms appear following contact with the plants. " [However, widely cultivated without problems] |
|
4.08 |
no evidence |
|
|
4.09 |
(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://www.centralcoastgrowers.com/covers1.htm (3)http://www.plantsnz.co.nz/ornamental(photos).htm (4)http://rcwnurseries.com/Perennials/cuphea-hyssopifolia.htm (4)http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/annuals/cuphea_hyssopifolia.html |
(1)"Exposure: Partial shade or partial sun to full sun" (2)Full sun or partial shade (3)Prefers full sun (4)Full Sun to Partial Shade (5)Sun to light shade |
|
4.1 |
(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://lejardins.tripod.com/cupheahys.htm (3)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CUPHYSA.PDF |
(1)"Soil Condition: Loamy, sandy, clay, acidic, neutral, alkaline, tolerates some salt, drought tolerant" (2)Avoid poorly drained areas which tend to cause the plants to rot (3)Tolerant of many soil types |
|
4.11 |
Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. |
shrub <1 foot |
|
4.12 |
Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. |
shrub <1 foot, no evidence |
|
5.01 |
terrestrial |
|
|
5.02 |
Lythraceae |
|
|
5.03 |
no evidence |
|
|
5.04 |
Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. |
Root Form: fibrous |
|
6.01 |
no evidence |
|
|
6.02 |
Floridata.com L.C. (1996-2002) Floridata\Plant Reference. Online database. Available at <http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Ref_Using&viewsrc=lists/reference.htm> |
"In warms areas, Mexican false heather may self-sow. It is very easily grown from seed planted in spring. " |
|
6.03 |
no evidence |
|
|
6.04 |
no evidence |
|
|
6.05 |
(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_UW057 |
(1)"Bees of several kinds frequent the plants in the warm months." (2)Attracts butterflies |
|
6.06 |
no evidence |
|
|
6.07 |
Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. |
"False Heather could be grown as an annual in northern climates." |
|
7.01 |
no evidence |
|
|
7.02 |
(1) Kadner, R.; Eckart, G. (1992) Trials with new hanging
basket, bedding and balcony plants. [FT: Neue Ampel-, Beet- und
Balkonpflanzen im Versuch.] Gartenbau Magazin, 1992, Vol.1, No.4, pp.66-68
|
(1) Germany (2) Australia (3) Venezuela (4) Taiwan (4) USA |
|
7.03 |
no evidence |
|
|
7.04 |
Long and Lakela. A flora of tropical Florida. University of Miami Press |
Cuphea genus "seeds narrowly winged" [but Cuphea hyssopifolia seeds are > 1 mm in size and will not fly except in a very strong gust] |
|
7.05 |
no evidence |
|
|
7.06 |
Floridata.com L.C. (1996-2002) Floridata\Plant Reference. Online database. Available at <http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Ref_Using&viewsrc=lists/reference.htm> |
"In warms areas, Mexican false heather may self-sow. It is very easily grown from seed planted in spring. " |
|
7.07 |
no evidence |
|
|
7.08 |
no evidence |
|
|
8.01 |
produces dense, numerous small flowers through out the year (capsules 1-celled), so it is possible that there are more than 1000 capsules per m2. |
|
|
8.02 |
no evidence |
|
|
8.03 |
no evidence |
|
|
8.04 |
http://lejardins.tripod.com/cupheahys.htm |
Mexican heather can be sheared back as needed to keep the plants shapely and full. |
|
8.05 |
no evidence |
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This page updated 20 May 2005