Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume. Family - Elaeocarpaceae. Common Name(s) - blue marbletree, silver/blue quandong. Synonym(s) - E. grandis; E. sphaericus.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

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

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

2

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.10

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

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

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

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

6.07

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

See left

4

-1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

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

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

4

Notes

Source

1.01

no evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Natural latitude range
Approximate limits north to south: 20°N to 31°S
List of countries with natural populations
Asia:
India
[Indonesia]
Irian Jaya
Philippines
Oceania:
[Australia]
Australian Northern Territory
New South Wales
Queensland
Bismarck Archipelago
New Caledonia
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Vanuatu

2.02

2.03

(1)"Distribution is mainly within the warm humid climatic zone in the south and the warm humid and hot humid winter-dry zones in the north."
"Approximate limits north to south: 20°N to 31°S"
Climate descriptors:
- Altitude range: 0 - 800 m
- Mean annual rainfall: 1000 - 3500 mm
- Rainfall regime: summer
- Dry season duration: 0 - 7 months
- Mean annual temperature: 11 - 30ºC
- Mean maximum temperature of hottest month: 28 - 33ºC
- Mean minimum temperature of coldest month: 5 - 18ºC
- Absolute minimum temperature: -5 - 8ºC (2)A fairly common riverine tree occurring usually as a dominant tree on the moist alluvial flats and gullies in lowland subtropical rainforest.

2.04

(1)Natural latitude range
Approximate limits north to south: 20°N to 31°S
List of countries with natural populations
Asia:
India
[Indonesia]
Irian Jaya
Philippines
Oceania:
[Australia]
Australian Northern Territory
New South Wales
Queensland
Bismarck Archipelago
New Caledonia
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Vanuatu

2.05

(1)List of countries where planted
India
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
USA:Hawaii

3.01

(1)p2. "Elaeocarpus angustifloius was palnted on a limited basis on the Island of Oahu in the 1930s, and has subsequently become naturalized in the immediate vicinity of the plantation." (2) "In some places it becomes invasive in native forests apparently being spread by pigeons" (no further details given) (3)Thousands of seedlings and hundreds of saplings (1–2 m tall) were seen in the vicinity of planted specimens on the managed Arboretum grounds. However, at least a dozen young trees 2–5 m tall were observed far from planted specimens in unmanaged areas around the Arboretum, including in Cinnamomum burmanii forest, Ardisia elliptica forest, and even in a dense bamboo thicket. Although these young trees in unmanaged areas have not yet flowered, their vigorous growth in unmanaged areas strongly suggest that this species is effectively naturalized. (4)Elaeocarpus angustifolius [=grandis] (sapatua, siapoatua, siapatua, blue fig, blue marble tree, quandong), a native of Australia, is a forestry tree that is invading intact and secondary forests in Samoa.

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

no evidence

3.05

no evidence

4.01

(1)E. angustifolius is a tall tree attaining 35 m in height and stem diameter up to 2 m, with an open, graceful crown. The trunk has large buttresses with grey, rather smooth bark with longitudinal fissures. Distribution is mainly within the warm humid climatic zone in the south and the warm humid and hot humid winter-dry zones in the north. A fairly common riverine tree occurring usually as a dominant tree on the moist, alluvial flats and gullies in a variety of well-developed lowland subtropical rainforests. It grows well in moist soils usually derived from alluvia, but may occasionally occur on krasnozem soils derived from basalts. Favoured by disturbance, it is fast-growing, flowers and fruits profusely; it requires heavy and continuous rainfall. It is a highly ornamental species with fruit that have an edible flesh and pitted seeds used for necklaces or as Chinese checkers. Propagation is mainly from cuttings, as the seed is difficult to germinate.

4.02

No evidence (1)It is very beautiful and grows rapidly but allows other plants to establish under its crown.

4.03

no evidence

4.04

(1)The lowest survival recorded (31%) was for E. grandis with the main mortality caused by browsing. This browsing, coupled with the effects of weed competition and low rainfall in the months following planting, may have caused the low growth rates in the first 6 months following planting (as reflected by height growth in Fig. 3). Swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) caused most browsing damage, and browsing by these and other wallaby species has become a major limiting factor for cabinet timber plantations since this trial was established. Wallaby populations have increased in recent years as afforestation has increased the area of suitable habitat. Recent plantations avoid tree species palatable to wallabies, fence the plantation area, or cage plants individually. Trials have been established to determine appropriate management systems to minimize this problem.

4.05

no evidence

4.06

no evidence

4.07

no evidence

4.08

Probably not.(1)Elaeocarpus decipiens was identified as fire-resistant (2)Fire Retardant - Plants which because of natural characteristics will not ignite easily in a moderate intense bush fire. [description for E. reticulatus]

(1)Zhou ZiGui; Luo FuYu; Zhou XueChang; Zheng LinShui; Liu WenHao; Wang GengShou; Fu QuanYan; Zhou ZhaoHeng; Xu YingShan; Yang YouPing. 1996. Study on the fire resistance of 23 tree species. Journal of Zhejiang Forestry Science and Technology.16:16-24. (2)http://www.qld.greeningaustralia.org.au/gaqotsasp/07_plant_search/features.asp?SpeciesName=Elaeocarpus%20reticulatus [Accessed 17 Oct 2008]

4.09

(1)"Prefer full sun" (2)species were grown within the glasshouse, under shade frames that provided 30% 20% or 10% of external irradiance. (3)However, at least a dozen young trees 2–5 m tall were observed far from planted specimens in unmanaged areas around the Arboretum, including in Cinnamomum burmanii forest, Ardisia elliptica forest, and even in a dense bamboo thicket [understory presumably shady]. (4)This species grows in a range of light intensities, from shade through to full sun

4.10

- Soil texture: medium; heavy
- Soil drainage: free; impeded
- Soil reaction: acid
"A fairly common riverine tree occurring usually as a dominant tree on the moist, alluvial flats and gullies in a variety of well-developed lowland subtropical rainforests. It grows well in moist soils usually derived from alluvia, but may occasionally occur on krasnozem soils derived from basalts."

4.11

E. angustifolius is a tall tree attaining 35 m in height and stem diameter up to 2 m, with an open, graceful crown. The trunk has large buttresses with grey, rather smooth bark with longitudinal fissures. Distribution is mainly within the warm humid climatic zone in the south and the warm humid and hot humid winter-dry zones in the north. A fairly common riverine tree occurring usually as a dominant tree on the moist, alluvial flats and gullies in a variety of well-developed lowland subtropical rainforests. It grows well in moist soils usually derived from alluvia, but may occasionally occur on krasnozem soils derived from basalts. Favoured by disturbance, it is fast-growing, flowers and fruits profusely; it requires heavy and continuous rainfall. It is a highly ornamental species with fruit that have an edible flesh and pitted seeds used for necklaces or as Chinese checkers. Propagation is mainly from cuttings, as the seed is difficult to germinate.

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial tree

5.02

tree; Elaeocarpaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

tree

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Propagation is mainly from cuttings, as the seed is difficult to germinate.

6.03

no evidence

6.04

(1)Nine species demonstrated relatively high levels of selfing: Abrophyllum ornans, Acradenia euodiiformis, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Cryptocarya glaucescens, Elaeocarpus reticulatus, Eupomatia laurina, Hibiscus splendens, Scolopia braunii and Tasmannia insipida. These are predominantly pioneer or edge species...In Elaeocarpus reticulatus, more bagged flowers developed fruit than did open pollinated ones. There are no obvious explanations of this and further observations are required to determine whether this is atypical. [related species E. reticulatus is self-compatible]

6.05

(1)Flowers: Greenish white, not scented, in racemes arising from the (1)branchlets at the scars of fallen leaves, 5-10 cm long. Flowers about 25 mm long including stalks, often turned to one side giving a one sided pendulous appearance, five petals and sepals. Flowering period March to June and also December. (2)similar small flowers of Elaeocarpus dentatus were generally thought to be entomophilous (3)Syzygium tierneyanum is a mass-flowering generalist in its pollination relationships, and attracts a diverse array of diurnal and nocturnal floral visitors including birds, bats, butterflies, hawkmoths, bees. wasps, flies, beetles, weevils and ants. A similar array of vertebrate and invertebrate floral visitors was recently recorded by A. K. Irvine (personal communication 1979) on Elaeocarpus grandis (Elaeocarpaceae) at Atherton, Qld, and may well characterize many of the mass-flowering tree species in the northern Queensland rain-forests. (4)Longer-lived plants, more common in tree-fall gaps and secondary forests, also attract a wide range of invertebrate pollinators and vertebrate pollinators such as honeyeaters (Meliphagidae). For example, blue quandong Elaeocarpus angustifolius has flowered and set viable fruits from five years of age at Donaghy’s Corridor

6.06

no evidence

6.07

R. Criley, UH Department of Horticulture, personal communication (1)blue quandong Elaeocarpus angustifolius has flowered and set viable fruits from five years of age at Donaghy’s Corridor

7.01

large seed

7.02

List of countries where planted
India
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
USA:Hawaii

7.03

no evidence

7.04

large fleshy fruit

7.05

(1)A fairly common riverine tree occurring usually as a dominant tree on the moist alluvial flats and gullies in lowland subtropical rainforest. (2)Seeds of the blue quandong (Elaeocarpus angustifolius) and black bean (Castanospermum australe) float well and survive periods in water.

7.06

p.55 Table 1. "Dispersal vector: mammal" (2)With E.angustifolius fruit the flesh must be removed so that the germination inhibitors are also removed. This would occur in the wild in this species by the fruit being eaten by cassowaries (3)Dispersed by cassowaries, pigeons, and mammals

7.07

Apparently can be carried away externally by mammals (1)p.55 Table 0. "Dispersal vector: mammal" (no information on whether the seeds are carried externally) (2)Rats also appear to cache the endocarps [and presumably secondarily disperse some] (3)Abstract: Tropical forests around the world contain animals that scatter-hoard fruits and seeds but few are known in Australian tropical forests. This study used both direct observation and spool-and-line tracking of simulated fruits to demonstrate that Australia’s smallest kangaroos disperse large numbers of rain-forest fruits and seeds. They did so in two ways, either by scatter-hoarding or by carrying them away from the source to devour the flesh before dropping the seed on to the litter surface. The fruits used included a range of fruit types but particularly species with large fleshy fruit. Caches occurred as a single fruit pressed into the soil and covered with litter a mean distance of 17 m (± 2.7 SE) and up to 68 m from the source. Musky rat-kangaroos handled up to 2700 fruits ha−1 mo−1 and they dispersed up to 900 fruits ha−1 mo−1 and cached up to 690 fruits ha−1 mo−1. This behaviour is a significant example of convergent evolution, which reflects similar behaviour found in agoutis, acouchies and squirrels on other continents....Table 1. A list of the plants, including dimensions and weight, whose fruit have been seen being dispersed by musky rat-kangaroos. [includes Elaeocarpus grandis F. Muel.]

7.08

p.55 Table 1. "Dispersal vector: mammal" [It doesn't have barbs or spines, but have fleshy pulp and very hard endocarp that encourage mammal dispersal but not being digested]

8.01

Large fruits about 1 inch in diam., one large seed/fruit

8.02

(1) AB: "In experiments, only 8% of E. angustifolius seeds germinated after 12 months" (lab conditions, none after 22 months).  (2) p.55 Table 1. "germination period: delayed" (3)forward planning is essential with Elaeocarpus propagation. Seed should be sown 6months - 3yrs in advance of requirement.

8.03

no evidence

8.04

(1)Elaeocarpus reticulatus does not recover vegetatively (side shoots) after it is burnt so it must regenerate from seed either stored in the soil or from seed dispersed to the area by birds. [related species cannot recover from fire]

8.05

no evidence