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

Cussonia paniculata (Mountain cabbage tree, highveld cabbage tree, kiepersol)

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

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

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

n

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

8

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

y

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

y

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

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)'Cussonia paniculata occurs inland at altitudes up to 2 100 m. It is often found in rocky places from the mountains of the Karoo and Eastern Cape through KwaZulu-Natal and Free State into Gauteng and further north. It grows in crevices filled with natural organic humus and compost. It is commonly found near Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is frost-tolerant and drought resistant.' (2)Cussonia paniculata is the hardiest member of the genus and comes from cool mountainous areas of southern Africa. [cool Mediterranean]

(1)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm (2)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_paniculata.htm

2.02

List of countries with natural populations
Africa: Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland

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

2.03

(1)'Cussonia paniculata occurs inland at altitudes up to 2 100 m. It is often found in rocky places from the mountains of the Karoo and Eastern Cape through KwaZulu-Natal and Free State into Gauteng and further north. It grows in crevices filled with natural organic humus and compost. It is commonly found near Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is frost-tolerant and drought resistant.' (2)Cussonia paniculata is the hardiest member of the genus and comes from cool mountainous areas of southern Africa. (3)Occurs in highveld habitats = > 1400 m elevation

(1)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm (2)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_paniculata.htm (3)http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at1009_full.html

2.04

(1)'Cussonia paniculata occurs inland at altitudes up to 2 100 m. It is often found in rocky places from the mountains of the Karoo and Eastern Cape through KwaZulu-Natal and Free State into Gauteng and further north. It grows in crevices filled with natural organic humus and compost. It is commonly found near Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is frost-tolerant and drought resistant.' (2)Cussonia paniculata is the hardiest member of the genus and comes from cool mountainous areas of southern Africa.

(1)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm (2)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_paniculata.htm

2.05

(1)Europe and United Kingdom (2)California, Oregon (3)New Zealand

(1)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_paniculata.htm (2)http://www.rareplants.com/abg/wint95a.html (3)http://www.succulents.co.nz/index.cfm?CategoryID=8&do=list

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

(1) 'The leaves provide good fodder for stock and the Zulu name refers to this tree as goats' food.' (2)The leaves are usually liked by cattle.

(1)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm (2)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://
www.arbolesornamentales.com/Cussoniapaniculata.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3D
Cussonia%2Bpaniculata%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

4.05

'The leaves provide good fodder for stock and the Zulu name refers to this tree as goats' food.'

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm

4.06

Phyllosticta cussoniae is listed to be associated with C. paniculata.

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

No evidence. Probably not - 'The thick root can be peeled and eaten raw as food or as a source of water.'

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm

4.08

Evergreen tree - probably not.

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm

4.09

(1)Keep seed and seedlings in a semi-shaded area. (2)Can grow in part shade.

(1)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm (2)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_paniculata.htm

4.1

(1)fairly fertile well-drained soil (2)Normal soil with a touch of compost. (3) They need good drainage and do not like being waterlogged.

(1)http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0074.htm (2)http://www.digitalmall.co.za/retailers/gardenshop/product.asp?sku=368&deptid=21&parentid=1&affiliateID=0 (3)http://www.succulents.co.nz/index.cfm?CategoryID=8&do=list

4.11

not a vine.

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

Araliaceae

5.03

Araliaceae

5.04

'This is a short, thick-set tree, rarely exceeding 5 m in height. It is sparsely branched with grey, longitudinal fissured, thick and corky bark. The stem is thick and squat. This plant is considered a pachycaul succulent on the basis of its swollen stem base or tuber which forms early in plants grown from seed.' Cussonia paniculata: the mountain cabbage tree. [not a herb]

6.01

'The flowers are pollinated by an enormous variety of insects that have wings e.g. bees, wasps, flies. When they are in full flower it sounds like a beehive. The flies and insects are attracted by the flowers' smelly nectar. The flowers may have lots of pollen too. '

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm

6.02

(1) 'This plant is considered a pachycaul succulent on the basis of its swollen stem base or tuber which forms early in plants grown from seed.' (2)'Seeds of C. paniculata were germinated in vitro on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The percentage survival of the seeds in culture was 70%. The seedlings provided aseptic material used as explants for micropropagation.'

(1)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm (2) Tetyana-P; van-Staden-J {a}. Micropropagation of Cussonia paniculata: A medicinal plant with horticultural potential. South-African-Journal-of-Botany. [print] July, 2001; 67 (2): 367-370..

6.03

No evidence

6.04

No evidence

6.05

'The flowers are pollinated by an enormous variety of insects that have wings e.g. bees, wasps, flies. When they are in full flower it sounds like a beehive. The flies and insects are attracted by the flowers' smelly nectar. The flowers may have lots of pollen too. '

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm

6.06

'The best method of propagation is by means of seed harvested from fresh ripe fruits.'

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm

6.07

'Fruiting begins at about eight years.'

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0074.htm

7.01

Probably not - no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.02

(1) 'This evergreen tree makes a beautiful focal point in a garden as it has an unusual shape, interesting gnarled bark and stunning, large, grey-green leaves. Plants show up especially well in a layout where rocks are used. Gardeners growing indigenous South African plants favour them greatly for their unique appearance.' (2)A small, stocky tree to 15' in the wild. Unique, long-petioled, deeply-lobed palmate leaves are one of the attractions for bonsai,

(1)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm (2)http://www.worldplants.com/new.htm

7.03

Probably not - no evidence that the species is culitvated for agriculture of horticulture purposes. Nor there is evidence that it grows near farms or orchards.

7.04

The small, round, fleshy fruits are purple when ripe and are eaten by a variety of birds

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0074.htm

7.05

The small, round, fleshy fruits are purple when ripe and are eaten by a variety of birds

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0074.htm

7.06

(1) 'The birds feed on the ripened, black seed.' (2)'The small, round, fleshy fruits are purple when ripe and are eaten by a variety of birds.'

(1)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm (2)http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0074.htm

7.07

Probably not - no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.08

(1) 'The birds feed on the ripened, black seed.' (2)'The small, round, fleshy fruits are purple when ripe and are eaten by a variety of birds.' (3)Fleshy fruit is about 6 cm in diameter.

(1)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm (2)http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0074.htm (3)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://
www.arbolesornamentales.com/Cussoniapaniculata.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3D
Cussonia%2Bpaniculata%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

8.01

fruits relatively large. Fruit is a drupe about 6 cm in diameter.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://
www.arbolesornamentales.com/Cussoniapaniculata.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3D
Cussonia%2Bpaniculata%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

8.02

Sow seed as soon as possible as it loses much of its viability within 3 months. However, seed sown in summer months will germinate faster (in about 4 weeks) than seed sown in winter (7 weeks to germination).'

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/cussoniapan.htm

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

No evidence

8.05

Don’t know.