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

Epipremnum pinnatum (syn. Epipremnum aureum (Linden ex André) G. S. Bunting; Philodendron nechodomi Britton; Pothos aurea Linden ex André; Pothos pinnata L. [basionym]; Scindapsus aureus (Linden ex André) Engl.); centipede tongavine, pothos

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

y

3.03

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

n=0

3.04

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

n=0

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

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

y

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

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

y

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

n

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

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

6.07

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

See left

7.01

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

y=1, n=-1

y

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

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

y

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:

9

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

(1) USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?312725 (23 October 2003)
(2) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

(1) naturalized elsewhere
(2) Naturalizing

1.03

no evidence

2.01

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?312725 (23 October 2003)

Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China - Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan; Taiwan
Asia-Tropical: India [n.e.]; Indochina; Indonesia; Malaysia; Myanmar; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Thailand
Australasia: Australia - Queensland
Other: naturalized elsewhere

2.02

2.03

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2) http://www.aroid.org/genera/epipremnum/epinnatum.htm

(1) Hardiness Range 10A to 11 (2) Habitat - Primary and secondary dense to open lowland to upper hill rain and monsoonal forest, weeds of rubber plantation, growing occasionally on rocks and in coastal forest, on a variety of substrate including granite, andesite and limestone. 1--1600m.

2.04

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?312725 (23 October 2003)

Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China - Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan; Taiwan
Asia-Tropical: India [n.e.]; Indochina; Indonesia; Malaysia; Myanmar; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Thailand
Australasia: Australia - Queensland
Other: naturalized elsewhere

2.05

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.190

widely cultivated

3.01

(1) USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?312725 (23 October 2003)
(2) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

(1) naturalized elsewhere
(2) Naturalizing

3.02

(1)http://www.fleppc.org/Manage_Plans/lymo_mgt.pdf (2)http://www.hear.org/pier/nreport.htm (3)http://www.fleppc.org/Plantlist/01list.htm (4)Wagner et al 1990 Mannual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press

(1)As a regional mitigation site for the Florida Gas Transmission Company’s pipeline project, Jonathan Dickinson State Park also is the site for a third study on L. microphyllum. This effort involves the control of three targeted exotic pest plants, specifically Epipremnum aureus (Pothos), Syngonium podophyllum (Nephthytes) and Lygodium. This is located on 125 infested acres along the Loxahatchee National Wild and Scenic River within the park. [DISTURBANCE WEED ALONG PIPELINE]
(2) Niue Island: Several shade-loving species, particularly Epipremnum pinnatum cv. 'Aureum', Hemigraphis alternata, and Syngonium angustatum, Tradescantia spathacea, and Tradescantia zebrina have become established in forested areas and their dense stands crowd out other species. At present, the infestations are mostly along roadsides, apparently as a result of dumping of cuttings. [EVIDENCE INDICATES DISTURBANCE WEED ALONG ROADSIDE/TRAIL SIDE. REMAINDER IS ONLY SPECULATION] Serious consideration should be given to controlling these in

3.03

http://www.aroid.org/genera/epipremnum/epinnatum.htm

" weeds of rubber plantation" [does not indicate economic weed, not lists as a weed in Holme et al Geographic Atlas of World Weeds]

3.04

(1)http://www.fleppc.org/Manage_Plans/lymo_mgt.pdf (2)http://www.hear.org/pier/nreport.htm (3)http://www.fleppc.org/Plantlist/01list.htm

(1)As a regional mitigation site for the Florida Gas Transmission Company’s pipeline project, Jonathan Dickinson State Park also is the site for a third study on L. microphyllum. This effort involves the control of three targeted exotic pest plants, specifically Epipremnum aureus (Pothos), Syngonium podophyllum (Nephthytes) and Lygodium. This is located on 125 infested acres along the Loxahatchee National Wild and Scenic River within the park.
 (2)Several shade-loving species, particularly Epipremnum pinnatum cv. 'Aureum', Hemigraphis alternata, and Syngonium angustatum, Tradescantia spathacea, and Tradescantia zebrina have become established in forested areas and their dense stands crowd out other species. At present, the infestations are mostly along roadsides, apparently as a result of dumping of cuttings. Serious consideration should be given to controlling these infestations before they spread further into the forest. The public should be encouraged, through education, not to dump cuttings in the future.

3.05

no evidence

4.01

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.190

no description of these traits

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

(1)Tokarnia, C. H.; Armién, A. G.; Peixoto, P. V.; Barbosa, J. D.; Brito, M. F.; Döbereiner, J. (1996) Experimental study on the toxicity of some ornamental plants in cattle. [FT: Estudo experimental sobre a toxidez de algumas plantas ornamentais em bovinos.] Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, 1996, Vol.16, No.1, pp.5-20, 29 ref. (2)http://ecocrop.fao.org/GPPIS.exe$HostSearch

(1)Feeding experiments were performed with the following plants: Allamanda cathartica , Nerium oleander , Thevetia peruviana , Codiaeum sp., Euphorbia cotinifolia , E. pulcherrima , E. tirucalli , Datura arboreae , Colocasia antiquorum , Dieffenbachia picta [D. maculata ], Monstera deliciosa , Philodendron hastatum , P. selloum [P. bipinnatifidum ], Scindapsus aureus [Epipremnum pinnatum ], Rhododendron ledifolium , R. indicum and Malaviscus arboreus . Four of the plants were lethal: A. cathartica , N. oleander , T. peruviana and R. indicum . Severe poisoning was produced by E. pulcherrima and R. ledifolium ; moderate poisoning was caused by D. arborea , C. antiquorum and D. picta . The other plants were non-toxic or only slightly toxic. [ingested by cattle and show no evidence of toxicity]
2)Not recognized as a fodder for cattle

4.05

http://www.toxi.ch/eng/pdf/annual_report_98.pdf

Plants: 6 out of 40 plant intoxications were severe or fatal. The involved plants were yew (Taxus baccata), oleander (Nerium oleander), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and an Arum plant (Epipremnum pinnatum). [severe poisoning documented in children]

4.06

(1) Wick, R. L.; Dicklow, M. B. (2002) Epipremnum , a new host for Phytophthora capsici . Plant Disease, 2002, Vol.86, No.9, p.1050, 2 ref.
(2) Shaw, D. E. (1995) Reaction of aroids to Puccinia paullula f.sp. monsterae . Australasian Plant Pathology, 1995, Vol.24, No.1, pp.15-21, 17 ref.
(3) Ann, P. J. (1992) Phytophthora diseases of ornamental plants in Araceae in Taiwan. Plant Pathology Bulletin, 1992, Vol.1, No.2, pp.79-89, 24 ref.

(1) Phytophthora capsici . (a pathogen of many crop species)
(2) AB: Of 66 aroids inoculated with Puccinia paullula f.sp. monsterae , 59 were immune. Monstera deliciosa , M. standleyana cv. Variegata, M. adansonii var. laniata , M. subpinnata , Epipremnum pinnatum (but not E. pinnatum cv. Aureum) and Typhonodorum lindleyanum were confirmed with various degrees of susceptibility, and Stenospermation sp. was newly reported as a moderately resistant host.
(3) AB: In a survey in 1988-91 P. meadii was isolated from Aglaonema nitidum cv. curtisii and P. [nicotianae var.] parasitica on A. commutatum , Anthurium andreanum , Dieffenbachia maculata , Epipremnum aureum [E. pinnatum ] and Philodendron spp. growing in pots in greenhouses or in the open ground. In pathogenicity tests, each P. spp. produced disease symptoms on their respective host plants similar to those occurring under natural field conditions. All plants developed leaf blight, some with stem or root rot wilted and died. [besides aroid hosts, it als

4.07

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.
(2) Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.190

(1) "All or parts of this plant are poisonous"
(2) "All parts of the plant may cause stomach problems if ingested" [no evidence of poisonings due to ingestion despite the fact that this is a common household plant]

4.08

unlikely, often grown in moist places

4.09

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

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

4.1

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

Soil Condition Loamy, sandy, clay, acidic, neutral, slightly alkaline, tolerates some salt, drought tolerant, tolerates wetness

4.11

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.190

"Liana, high climbing, cling to tree trunks by means of adventitious roots."

4.12

liana

5.01

terrestrial to epiphytic

5.02

liana, Araceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.190

no description of these traits

6.01

no evidence

6.02

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WG209

(1)apparently does not set seed in Florida. [No records of seed germination could be found from any source, suggesting that it does not produce viable seeds where grown]

6.03

no evidence

6.04

no evidence

6.05

http://www.aroid.org/pollination/beath/index.html

Aroids are pollinated by insects,with the visitors being mainly bees, flies and beetle species.[no specific information for Epipremnum, could be specialist beetle]

6.06

http://www.hear.org/pier/nreport.htm

"Spread by cuttings, it is difficult to eradicate as any roots or pieces left behind will sprout"

6.07

no evidence

7.01

http://www.hear.org/pier/nreport.htm

At present, the infestations are mostly along roadsides, apparently as a result of dumping of cuttings.

7.02

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.190

widely cultivated

7.03

no evidence

7.04

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.190

fruit a small ellipsoid berry

7.05

no evidence

7.06

(1)Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.190 (2)http://www.hear.org/pier/eppin.htm

(1)fruit a small ellipsoid berry (2)Inflorescences several together, erect; spathe cream, soon withering, navicular; spadix cream, up to 17 cm long and 3 cm in diameter, slightly shorter than spathe. Berries 1-2-seeded. [fruits not normally seen, No records of seed germination could be found from any source, suggesting that it does not produce viable seeds where grown]]

7.07

http://www.aroid.org/genera/epipremnum/epinnatum.htm

" Fruit mid-green (prominently glaucous in Kostermans 21806, L!), stylar region greatly enlarged, ovary cavity with seeds embedded in sticky orange-red pulp" [No records of seed germination could be found from any source, suggesting that it does not produce viable seeds where grown]

7.08

assumed bird dispersal [No records of seed germination could be found from any source, suggesting that it does not produce viable seeds where grown]

8.01

http://www.aroid.org/genera/epipremnum/epinnatum.htm

(1)Flowers 3--7 mm diam.; stamens 4; filaments 5 x 1 mm; anthers narrowly ellipsoid, 1.5--2 x 0.75--1 mm; ovary 4--12 x 2--7 mm, cylindrical, basal part slightly compressed; ovules 2--3; stylar region 3--7 x 1.5--4 mm, trapezoid, rather robust, apex flattened, margins somewhat raised in dry material; stigma linear, 2--6 x 0.1--0.5 mm, longitudinal. Fruit mid-green, stylar region greatly enlarged, ovary cavity with seeds embedded in sticky orange-red pulp; Seeds 4.5 x 3.5 mm, pale to mid-brown. Epipremnum pinnatum has fruits with two large, strongly curved seeds with a bony and ornamented testa. [only 2 seeds per fruit, rarely fruits] 

8.02

no evidence

8.03

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WG209

treat with 3% Roundup and surfactant. If non-target damage is not a concern, 3% roundup is very effective on large intact patches.

8.04

http://www.hear.org/pier/nreport.htm

"Spread by cuttings, it is difficult to eradicate as any roots or pieces left behind will sprout"

8.05

no evidence