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

Cuphea ignea A. DC. (cigar flower, cigarette plant, firecracker plant; Mexican cigar plant) syn. Cuphea platycentra Lem., nom. illeg. ; Parsonsia ignea

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

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

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

n

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

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

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

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

y

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

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:

3

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

p. 414 "Cuphea hyssopifolia H.B.K. and C. ignea A. DC., are cultivated introductions to the Antilles from Mexico. Cuphea ignea was also recorded by Browne in Jamaica in 1756; it is now a naturalized member of the flora "

Grahama, Shirley A. (2003) Biogeographic Patterns of Antillean Lythraceae. Systematic Botany: Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 410–420.

1.03

No evidence

2.01

Country of Origin: Mexico & West Indies

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500176.html

2.02

2.03

(1) USDA Zone: 10-12 (2) Hardiness Range 9B to 11 (3)Wild specimens in native range 1600-2400m elevation

(1)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500176.html (2) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast

2.04

Country of Origin: Mexico & West Indies

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500176.html

2.05

(1)Introduced to Florida (2)Probably yes- seeds available for sale on the web.

(1)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:ukt3_8RjXX8J:
hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CUPIGNA.PDF+Cuphea+ignea+Florida&hl=en (2)http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/a1.asp?title=Lythraceae&list=483

3.01

p. 414 "Cuphea hyssopifolia H.B.K. and C. ignea A. DC., are cultivated introductions to the Antilles from Mexico. Cuphea ignea was also recorded by Browne in Jamaica in 1756; it is now a naturalized member of the flora "

Grahama, Shirley A. (2003) Biogeographic Patterns of Antillean Lythraceae. Systematic Botany: Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 410–420.

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

(1)Invasive potential: not known to be invasive (2)ALIEN NON-INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES OF JAMAICA

(1)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:ukt3_8RjXX8J:
hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CUPIGNA.PDF+Cuphea+ignea+Florida&hl=en (2)http://www.jamaicachm.org.jm/aliens_n_pl.htm

3.05

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;

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.

4.01

No evidence

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi

4.04

(1)Deer resistant no. (2)Not deer resistant.

(1)http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/CU/Cuphea%20ignea%20Hidcote.htm (2)http://www.princetonol.com/groups/mg/annuals4diffsites.html

4.05

(1)Toxicity: short-nap cloth (2)Internal poison no Dermatologic poison no Livestock poison no Mechanical injury no

(1)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=
http://www.aujardin.info/plantes/plante_cigarette.php&prev=/search%3Fq%3D
Cuphea%2Bignea%26start%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DN (2)http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/CU/Cuphea%20ignea%20Hidcote.htm

4.06

Diseases: gray mold blight [generalist], leaf spot

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

4.07

Internal poison no Dermatologic poison no Livestock poison no Mechanical injury no

http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/CU/Cuphea%20ignea%20Hidcote.htm

4.08

No evidence

4.09

(1)Light: Bright sun but tolerates some shade. (2)Light Requirements: Sun to partial shade (3)prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun (4)This plant is suitable for growing indoors

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cuph_ign.cfm (2)http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/annuals/firecrackerplant.html (3)http://www.horticopia.com/hortpix/html/pc1792.htm (4)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1333.html

4.1

Soil tolerances: loam; acidic; clay; sand; alkaline

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:ukt3_8RjXX8J:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CUPIGNA.PDF+Cuphea+ignea+Florida&hl=en

4.11

Not a climber - a shrub

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Life form Terrestrial

http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/CU/Cuphea%20ignea%20Hidcote.htm

5.02

Lythraceae

5.03

Lythraceae

5.04

No evidence

6.01

Seed as of February.

http://www.kulturberichte.de/E_topfpflanzenkulturen/cuphea_ignea/Ecupgea_ignea.htm

6.02

Propagation: Cigar plant is easily grown from seed. Also from short stem tip cuttings taken in late spring or early summer.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cuph_ign.cfm

6.03

AB: Five interspecific Cuphea hybrids were examined for isozyme banding patterns. In three of the five hybrids (C. viscosissima .times. C. lutea, C. ignea .times. C. angustifolia, and C. lanceolata .times. C. viscosissima), F1 plants could be distinguished from either parental species. Phosphoglucomutase and 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase enzyme stains produced distinct F1 band patterns for all three hybrids. Phosphoglucose isomerase and shikimate dehydrogenase enzyme stains produced distinct F1 band patterns for C. viscosissima .times. C. lutea and C. lanceolata .times. C. viscosissima, resepectively. For the C. lanceolata .times. C. viscosissima hybrid, the banding patterns were used to identify 32 selfs among 161 putative F1 plants. [artifical hybrids]

TI: ISOZYME VERIFICATION OF INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDS OF CUPHEA
AU: RONIS-D-H [Reprint-author]; THOMPSON-A-E [Author]; DIERIG-D-A [Author]; JOHNSON-E-R [Author]
SO: Hortscience-. 1990; 25(11): 1431-1434.
PY: 1990

6.04

"Successful establishment of Cuphea in the Antilles must have been assisted by the fact that the genus is almost uniformly self-compatible, in spite of the obvious adaptations of the flowers of most species for outcrossing" [characteristics of the genus]

Grahama, Shirley A. (2003) Biogeographic Patterns of Antillean Lythraceae. Systematic Botany: Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 410–420.

6.05

(1)Uses: container or above-ground planter; specimen; foundation;attracts hummingbirds (2)firecracker plant magnetizes hummingbirds with its steady display of flowers.

(1)http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/CU/Cuphea%20ignea%20Hidcote.htm (2)http://www.singingspringsnursery.com/page3.html

6.06

No evidence of vegetative spread in the wild.

6.07

(1)tender perennial grown as an annual (2)Annual Life span

(1)http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/annuals/firecrackerplant.html (2)http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/CU/Cuphea%20ignea%20Hidcote.htm

7.01

No evidence

7.02

Ornamental plant

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Cuphea+ignea

7.03

No evidence

7.04

(1) p.168 "seeds 2-4 mm" [no adaptations for wind]

(1) Matsuno, T. Ohsawa, K. Toyohara, H. Nishiyama, K. (1985) Investigation of oil plants and characteristics of some oil plant seeds. Journal of Agricultural Science, Japan, 1985, Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 160-174, 25 ref.

7.05

No evidence

7.06

"fruit a small ellipsoidal capsule enclosed within the hypanthium"

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.168

7.07

"Cuphea's seedcoat is a strange variation on the usual mucilaginous seed coat. The outer layer of cells contain coiled up spiral hairs which are extruded with as little time as 10-20 minutes of imbibition. The hairs are sticky, spiral, long, elastic, and generally serve to cement the seed to the germination substrate. The hairs have fooled more than one analyst into mistaking them for fungal hyphae! The middle layer is dark and leathery. The inside layer is thin and transparent like cellophane. Though these features seem like barriers, water uptake is rapid. When cutting seeds for TZ tests, water squirts out as the seed coat is punctured. Some species have a prominent raphe on one side. This raphe is a convenient marker for a longitudinal cut through the radicle/hypocotyl axis. " [sticky seedcoat]

http://www.frsa.org/1994sf8/8-3CrazyCuphea.htm

7.08

No evidence of ingestion

8.01

(1) p.168 "seeds 2-4 mm"

(1) Matsuno, T. Ohsawa, K. Toyohara, H. Nishiyama, K. (1985) Investigation of oil plants and characteristics of some oil plant seeds. Journal of Agricultural Science, Japan, 1985, Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 160-174, 25 ref.

8.02

p.169 "90 percent of seeds germinated within 1 week." [no indication of dormancy]

Matsuno, T. Ohsawa, K. Toyohara, H. Nishiyama, K. (1985) Investigation of oil plants and characteristics of some oil plant seeds. Journal of Agricultural Science, Japan, 1985, Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 160-174, 25 ref.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

(1)A bushy subshrub, it grows up to about 24 in (60 cm) high and benefits from occasional trimming to keep it compact. (2)the plant may regrow from its roots after a winter's above-ground kill. (3) prune back two thirds in late winter

(1)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500176.html (2)http://www.charleston.net/stories/050204/gar_02getgro.shtml (3)http://www.gonegardening.com/xq/ASP/board_id.1/msg_id.1-2/thread_id.5394/referer./qx/gg_shop/board_read.htm

8.05

Don’t know