Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Diphysa americana


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: 0


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
Original risk assessment

Diphysa americana (Diphysa robinioides, Diphysa carthaginensis Benth. & Oersted; Diphysa humilis Benth. & Oersted ); guachipil, guachipelín, macano, palo amarillo

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

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

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

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

y

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

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

5

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

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

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

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

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:

0

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

No evidence regarding introductions or naturalization.

1.03

No evidence

2.01

Native to Central America

http://www.fao.org/FORESTRY/FOR/FORM/FOGENRES/regions/Update/AmC2001.stm

2.02

List of countries with natural populations
Central America (as a whole)
North America: Mexico

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

2.03

(1)List of countries with natural populations
Central America (as a whole)
North America: Mexico [tropical only] (2)elevation usually < 1200 m (3)arid environments (4)occurs in matorral community (5)Low to medium elevations

(1)CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast (3)http://www.hear.org/gcw/html/autogend/species/6757.HTM (4) Kellman, M. Roulet, N. 1990. Nutrient flux and retention in a tropical sand-dune succession. Journal of Ecology78, 664-676 (5)http://www.ots.ac.cr/rdmcnfs/datasets/viewrec.phtml?ds=global&fn=/binabitrop/data/6103.html&dn=6102&realds=binabitrop

2.04

Native to Central America

http://www.fao.org/FORESTRY/FOR/FORM/FOGENRES/regions/Update/AmC2001.stm

2.05

Cultivated in Bahia, Brazil

http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb/6.00/taxa/11382.shtml

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

[these traits were not found on the photo of D. robinoides] DESCRIPCION: Arbol que alcanza de 5 a 15 m de altura y de 10 a 40 cm de diámetro. Copa redondeada o umbelada, con follaje disperso. Tronco recto y cilíndrico, ramificado a partir de su porción media. Corteza de color gris oscuro o marrón- rojizo, en árboles viejos presenta grietas profundas y se exfolia en láminas. Las ramitas terminales presentan lenticelas blancas. Cuando se rompen las ramitas o se estrujan las hojas nuevas, se percibe un fuerte olor a "frijol". Hojas imparipinnadas, alternas, con 5 a 21 folíolos, alternos a lo largo del raquis, con el haz verde y el envés verde-grisáceo. Folíolos de 1.5-3.5 cm de largo y de 0.5-1 cm de ancho, obovados a oblongo-elípticos, con ápice emarginado o redondeado, bordes enteros, base obtusa.

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/spanish/diphro.html

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

provides forage for wildlife

http://www.ots.ac.cr/rdmcnfs/datasets/viewrec.phtml?ds=global&fn=/binabitrop/data/6103.html&dn=6102&realds=binabitrop

4.05

No evidence

4.06

No evidence

4.07

No evidence

4.08

not likely - a single trunked tree

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/spanish/diphro.html

4.09

Don’t know

4.1

Tolerates low fertility soils

http://www.ots.ac.cr/rdmcnfs/datasets/viewrec.phtml?ds=global&fn=/binabitrop/data/6103.html&dn=6102&realds=binabitrop

4.11

Not climbing

4.12

No evidence-- tree 5-15 m tall, 10-40 cm in diameter.

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/spanish/diphro.html

5.01

Terrestrial.

http://www.fao.org/FORESTRY/FOR/FORM/FOGENRES/regions/Update/AmC2001.stm

5.02

tree

5.03

on the list of nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs

http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/nftlist.htm

5.04

tree

6.01

FLORES Y FRUTOS: Arbol semi-deciduo que deja caer parcialmente sus hojas durante la estación seca, pero las repone a inicios de la estación lluviosa. Flores amarillas, visitadas por abejas, mariposas y otros insectos. Florece y fructifica entre noviembre y abril. El fruto es una legumbre, ligeramente cilíndrica y con un tabique central, verde, tornándose marrón claro al madurar. Las semillas son dispersadas por el viento [flowers and fruits were produced]

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/spanish/diphro.html

6.02

AB: Data are presented on the speed and % germination and on germination energy of seeds sown in 3 media: 100% soil; 100% sand; and 50% soil, 50% sand. There were significant differences between media only for germination energy, with 100% soil giving the best results.

Mora, R. Rodríguez, D. (1982) Studies on the germination of Diphysa robinioides in three media. (Foreign Title: Ensayo de germinación de Diphysa robinioides Benth., bajo tres tipos de coberturas.)Ciencias Ambientales, 1982/1984, No. 5-6, pp. 11-19, 5 ref.

 

6.03

Information is given on synonyms, common names, botany, distribution, habitat, flowering and fruiting phenology, collection and yields of fruits, processing of fruits and seeds, seed quality, germination and storage, nursery management and phytosanitary problems of Diphysa robinioides. [a promising reference, unfortunately not found in UH library. May be accessed by interlibrary loan]

Salazar, R. (1999) Diphysa robinioides Benth.(Foreign Title: Diphysa robinioides Benth.) Nota Técnica sobre Manejo de Semillas Forestales - CATIE, 1999, No. 99, pp. 2 , 3 ref.

6.04

Don’t know

6.05

. Flores amarillas, visitadas por abejas, mariposas y otros insectos

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/spanish/diphro.html

6.06

Don’t know

6.07

flowers in 5-8 years

http://www.1costaricalink.com/trees/guachipelin.htm

7.01

No evidence

7.02

AB: Twenty-five species of native and exotic forest trees were planted in 3 different regions of Costa Rica. From author's summary. [Experimental plantation established, but apparently limited use]

Gonzalez, R. (1980) Experimental forest plantations in Costa Rica. (Foreign Title: Plantaciones forestales a nivel experimental en Costa Rica.) Agronomia Costarricense, 1980, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 99-109, 26 ref.

7.03

No evidence

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/spanish/diphro.html

7.04

El fruto es una legumbre, ligeramente cilíndrica y con un tabique central, verde, tornándose marrón claro al madurar. Las semillas son dispersadas por el viento.

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/spanish/diphro.html

7.05

pods are inflated and dry

http://www.1costaricalink.com/trees/guachipelin.htm

7.06

pods are inflated and dry

http://www.1costaricalink.com/trees/guachipelin.htm

7.07

pods are inflated and dry

http://www.1costaricalink.com/trees/guachipelin.htm

7.08

pods are inflated and dry

http://www.1costaricalink.com/trees/guachipelin.htm

8.01

1-5 seeds per pod [probably less than 1000 / m2].

http://www.1costaricalink.com/trees/guachipelin.htm

8.02

Don’t know

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

used for living fence posts [implies tolerance of loping

http://www.ots.ac.cr/rdmcnfs/datasets/viewrec.phtml?ds=global&fn=/binabitrop/data/6103.html&dn=6102&realds=binabitrop

8.05

Don’t know


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This page updated 30 September 2005