Asclepias physocarpa (E. Mey.) Schlechter. Family - Asclepiadaceae. Common Names(s) - milkweed. Synonym(s) - Gomphocarpus physocarpus E. Mey.

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

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

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

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

1

3.02

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

n=0

3.03

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

n=0

y

2

3.04

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

n=0

y

2

3.05

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

n=0

y

1

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

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

y

1

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

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

y

1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

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

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=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:

8

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Native to South Africa

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

2.02

(1) Native to South Africa

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

2.03

(1) USDA zone 6b.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61453/ [Accessed 2009 Feb.11].

2.04

(1) Native to South Africa...Naturalized in Hawaii in low elevation, dry habitats, occasionally up to 1,830 m on all the main islands except Ni‛ihau and Moloka‛

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

2.05

Don't know

3.01

(1) Naturalized in Hawaii in low elevation, dry habitats, occasionally up to 1,830 m on all the main islands except Ni‛ihau and Moloka‛

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

3.02

Don't know

3.03

(1) Infestations soared in kikuyugrass pastures when damaged by the yellow sugarcane aphid making pasture areas unusable to cattle.

(1) Motooka, P., Castro, l., Nelson, D., Nagai, G. and Ching, L. (2003) Weeds of Hawaii's Pastures and Natural Areas. An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

3.04

(1) Considered to be an environmental weed in New Zealand.

(1) Chris Buddenhagen and Melanie Newfield (pers comm. 2001) A list of potential and actual environmental weeds for New Zealand. Department of Conservation. Citation from http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/asclepias_physocarpa/ [Accessed 2009 Feb. 12].

3.05

(1) Asclepias syrica is a common weed throughout most of the eastern North America.

(1) Morse, D. and J. Schmitt (1985). "Propagule size, dispersal ability, and seedling performance in Asclepias syriaca." Oecologia 67(3): 372-379.

4.01

(1) No spines, thorns, burrs.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

4.02

Don't know

4.03

(1) Not parasitic. (2) Not listed as a parasitic plant in the parasitic plant database.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press. (2) http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi [Accessed 2009 Feb. 12].

4.04

(1) Livestock avoid the plant unless starving.

(1) http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/Data/WeedsHI/W_Asclepias_physocarpa.pdf [Accessed 2009 Feb. 12].

4.05

(1)Asclepias physocarpa Schlt.: The plant is said to be poisonous, and as little as half a pound may kill a sheep. If a lot of it is eaten, it leads to death within a few hours with signs of paralysis and fever, difficulty in breathing and a feeble and quick pulse.

(1)Bizimana, N. 1994. Traditional veterinary practice in Africa. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit, (GTZ) gmbh.

4.06

Don't know

4.07

(1) All parts of plants are poisonous if ingested.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61453/ [Accessed 2009 Feb.11].

4.08

Don't know

4.09

(1) Full sun. Sun to part-shade. (2)Light: Sun. Tolerates part shade.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61453/ [Accessed 2009 Feb.11]. (2)Carter, S., C. Becker, and B. Lilly. 2007. Perennials: the gardener's reference. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

4.10

(1) Soil pH 5.6-6.0 (acidic)

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61453/ [Accessed 2009 Feb.11].

4.11

(1) Sparingly branched perennial herb 1-2 m tall, somewhat woody at the base.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

4.12

(1)Following the decline of kikuyu grass, cover and abundance of the non-native herb, ballonplant (Asclepias physocarpa), increased to alarming levels (about 50-75 percent cover). [excluded native vegetation recovery until control efforts reduced cover]

(1)Medeiros, A.C., T.L. Erwin, C.G. Chimera and L.L. Loope. 2003. Vegetation trends at Auwahi dryland forest after five years of restoration. Ecological Restoration 21(3): 207-209.

5.01

(1) Sparingly branched perennial herb 1-2 m tall, somewhat woody at the base.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

5.02

(1) Asclepiadaceae.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

5.03

(1) Sparingly branched perennial herb 1-2 m tall, somewhat woody at the base.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

5.04

(1) Sparingly branched perennial herb 1-2 m tall, somewhat woody at the base.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press.

6.01

No evidence.

6.02

(1) Propagate by seed.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61453/ [Accessed 2009 Feb.11].

6.03

Don't know

6.04

Don't know

6.05

(1) Study indicated the genus Asclepias is pollinated by generalized insects, large Hymenoptera and/or Butterflies.

(1) Ollerton, J. and S. Liede (1997). "Pollination systems in the Asclepiadaceae: a survey and preliminary analysis." Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 62(4): 593-610.

6.06

(1) Reproduces by seeds.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61453/ [Accessed 2009 Feb.11].

6.07

Don't know

7.01

No evidence of plants growing in heavily trafficked area.

7.02

(1) A. physocarpa is used as a garden plant to encourage butterfly visitation. Dave's Garden lists 5 vendors that have this species for sell.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61453/[Accessed 2009 Feb. 12].

7.03

Not likely to be a produce contaminant.

7.04

(1) Asclepieadaceae have flattened seeds with a terminal coma of long hairs. (2) Seeds easily dispersed by wind.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press. (2)http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/Data/WeedsHI/W_Asclepias_physocarpa.pdf [Accessed 2009 Feb.12].

7.05

(1) Asclepieadaceae have flattened seeds with a terminal coma of long hairs. (2) Seeds easily dispersed by wind.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press. (2)http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/Data/WeedsHI/W_Asclepias_physocarpa.pdf [Accessed 2009 Feb.12].

7.06

(1) Asclepieadaceae have flattened seeds with a terminal coma of long hairs. (2) Seeds easily dispersed by wind.

(1) Wagner W.L., H. D. R., Sohmer S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu Bishop Museum Press. (2)http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/Data/WeedsHI/W_Asclepias_physocarpa.pdf [Accessed 2009 Feb.12].

7.07

Wind dispersed seeds with large delicate parachute

7.08

Wind dispersed Seeds not consumed

8.01

~30-50 seeds per pod, may approach 20 pods per square meter

8.02

Don't know

8.03

(1) Mature plants tolerant of herbicides.

(1) http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/Data/WeedsHI/W_Asclepias_physocarpa.pdf [Accessed 2009 Feb 12].

8.04

Don't know

8.05

Don't know