Guettarda speciosa L. Family - Rubiaceae. Common Names(s) - Beach Gardenia, Zebra wood.

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

n

3.01

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

n

0

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

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

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

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

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

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

y

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

n

-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

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:

-1

Notes

Source

1.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)A widespread inhabitant of seashores and lowland thickets from eastern Africa to Micronesia and the South Pacific.

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

2.02

(1)A widespread inhabitant of seashores and lowland thickets from eastern Africa to Micronesia and the South Pacific.

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

2.03

(1)In nature, the beach gardenia grows on beach strand communities in coastal regions, almost all the way to the high tide level in places. Its requirements are similar in the garden - well drained sandy soil and an open sunny position. The fragrance and large interesting leaves make an interesting alternative to traditional gardenias for the subtropical or tropical gardener. Frost tolerance is unknown but the plant is unlikely to be tolerant to much, if any, frost - seedlings are frost sensitive. (2)On sandy and rocky shores within reach of highest tides and salt spray, often at the seaward edge of strand forest; sometimes also on sea (limestone) cliffs high above the water level. Altitude: sea level (to c. 50 m).

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010] (2)Puff. C. 2007. Flora of Thailand: RUBIACEAE. http://homepage.univie.ac.at/christian.puff/FTH-RUB/FTH-RUB-Guettarda_compl_WEB.htm [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

2.04

(1)A widespread inhabitant of seashores and lowland thickets from eastern Africa to Micronesia and the South Pacific.

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

2.05

(1)A widespread inhabitant of seashores and lowland thickets from eastern Africa to Micronesia and the South Pacific. G. speciosa is occasionally cultivated in Hawaii [widespread natural distribution without evidence of repeated introductions outside native range]

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

3.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Randall, R. 2007. Global Compendium of Weeds. http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/guettarda_speciosa/ [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

3.02

(1)No evidence

(1)Randall, R. 2007. Global Compendium of Weeds. http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/guettarda_speciosa/ [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

3.03

(1)Listed as an agricultural weed [no information on impacts or control methods found]

(1)Randall, R. 2007. Global Compendium of Weeds. http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/guettarda_speciosa/ [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

3.04

(1)No evidence

(1)Randall, R. 2007. Global Compendium of Weeds. http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/guettarda_speciosa/ [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

3.05

(1)Guettarda calyptrata listed as an agricultural weed [no information on impacts or control found] (2)Guettarda platypoda listed as a weed [no information on impacts or control found] (3)Guettarda valenzuelana listed as an agricultural weed [no information on impacts or control found]

(1)Randall, R. 2007. Global Compendium of Weeds. http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/guettarda_calyptrata/ [Accessed 23 Feb 2010] (2)Randall, R. 2007. Global Compendium of Weeds. http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/guettarda_platypoda/ [Accessed 23 Feb 2010] (3)Randall, R. 2007. Global Compendium of Weeds. http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/guettarda_valenzuelana/ [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

4.01

(1)G.speciosa is a spreading shrub to about 4 metres. It has large green ovate leaves up to 23cm long and 18cm wide. Tubular flowers occur from October to May, though may be seen at other times, and are fragrant; to 3cm long and white in colour. The fragrance is similar to, though weaker than, the commonly grown exotic gardenia. Flowers are followed by small globular hard fruits to 2.5cm in diameter.

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

4.02

(1)Leaves used for fertilization and mulching, in order of importance, are te kaura (Sida fallax), te uri (Guettarda speciosa), te ren (Tournefortia argentea), te mad, or breadfruit (Artocarpus spp.), te woo (Boerhavia repens) and, to a lesser extent, species such as te kaura ni Banaba (Wollastonia biflora), te kanawa (Cordia subcordata), te kiaou (Triumfetta procumbens), and te kiaiai or te rao (Hibiscus tiliaceus). These leaves, with the exception of Sida fallax, are mixed with other plant waste, particularly old pandanus leaves and coconut refuse, black topsoil, and occasionally ground pumice (te uuan), and applied green or dried to the basket surrounding the plant or placed in the pit near the plant. Because the leaves of a variety of trees and the black topsoil found under trees are very important in te babai cultivation, increasing agrodeforestation may be, at least in part, responsible for the decline in its cultivation in Kiribati. [no evidence, and leaves use for mulching other plants]

(1)Atoll agroforestry on Tarawa and Abemama, Kiribati. http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80824e/80824E0g.htm [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

4.03

(1)G.speciosa is a spreading shrub to about 4 metres. It has large green ovate leaves up to 23cm long and 18cm wide. Tubular flowers occur from October to May, though may be seen at other times, and are fragrant; to 3cm long and white in colour. The fragrance is similar to, though weaker than, the commonly grown exotic gardenia. Flowers are followed by small globular hard fruits to 2.5cm in diameter. [no evidence]

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

4.04

(1)Foliage eaten by giant tortoises

(1)Hamilton, J., and M. Coe. 1982. Feeding, digestion and assimilation of a population of giant tortoises (Geochelone gigantea (Schweigger)) on Aldabra Atoll. J. Arid Env. 5: 127-144.

4.05

(1)Foliage eaten by giant tortoises (2)No evidence of toxicity

(1)Hamilton, J., and M. Coe. 1982. Feeding, digestion and assimilation of a population of giant tortoises (Geochelone gigantea (Schweigger)) on Aldabra Atoll. J. Arid Env. 5: 127-144. (2)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

4.06

(1)Pests recorded Insects: Ceratitis capitata (mediterranean fruit fly) Pests recorded at the family level (Rubiaceae): Insects: Cephonodes picus Planococcoides njalensis (west African cocoa mealybug) [no evidence found on whether or not this tree is an important alternate host]

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.07

(1)The large leaves of utilomar (Guettarda speciosa - Rubiaceae) are used to cover the um oven. Leaves are also used to make a baby bath and a remedy for headaches. The leaves are placed in hot water; then a towel is soaked in this water and it is put on the head. In a well-known story, the leaves of this plant are used for toilet tissue. Utilomar fruit mixed with coconut is a fast-acting antidote for fish poisoning [no evidence of toxicity to humans].

(1)Utilomar (Guettarda speciosa - Rubiaceae). Plants and Environments of the Marshall Islands. http://www.hawaii.edu/cpis/MI/plants/utilomar%20.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

4.08

(1)In nature, the beach gardenia grows on beach strand communities in coastal regions, almost all the way to the high tide level in places. Its requirements are similar in the garden - well drained sandy soil and an open sunny position. The fragrance and large interesting leaves make an interesting alternative to traditional gardenias for the subtropical or tropical gardener. Frost tolerance is unknown but the plant is unlikely to be tolerant to much, if any, frost - seedlings are frost sensitive. [no evidence that G. speciosa increases fire risk in coastal habitats] (2)On sandy and rocky shores within reach of highest tides and salt spray, often at the seaward edge of strand forest; sometimes also on sea (limestone) cliffs high above the water level. Altitude: sea level (to c. 50 m).

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010] (2)Puff. C. 2007. Flora of Thailand: RUBIACEAE. http://homepage.univie.ac.at/christian.puff/FTH-RUB/FTH-RUB-Guettarda_compl_WEB.htm [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

4.09

(1)In nature, the beach gardenia grows on beach strand communities in coastal regions, almost all the way to the high tide level in places. Its requirements are similar in the garden - well drained sandy soil and an open sunny position. The fragrance and large interesting leaves make an interesting alternative to traditional gardenias for the subtropical or tropical gardener. Frost tolerance is unknown but the plant is unlikely to be tolerant to much, if any, frost - seedlings are frost sensitive. [probably not shade tolerant; coastal distribution suggests adaptation for full sun] (2)On sandy and rocky shores within reach of highest tides and salt spray, often at the seaward edge of strand forest; sometimes also on sea (limestone) cliffs high above the water level. Altitude: sea level (to c. 50 m).

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010] (2)Puff. C. 2007. Flora of Thailand: RUBIACEAE. http://homepage.univie.ac.at/christian.puff/FTH-RUB/FTH-RUB-Guettarda_compl_WEB.htm [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

4.10

(1)well drained sandy soil and an open sunny position (2)On sandy and rocky shores within reach of highest tides and salt spray, often at the seaward edge of strand forest; sometimes also on sea (limestone) cliffs high above the water level. Altitude: sea level (to c. 50 m)

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010] (2)Puff. C. 2007. Flora of Thailand: RUBIACEAE. http://homepage.univie.ac.at/christian.puff/FTH-RUB/FTH-RUB-Guettarda_compl_WEB.htm [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

4.11

(1)G.speciosa is a spreading shrub to about 4 metres. It has large green ovate leaves up to 23cm long and 18cm wide. Tubular flowers occur from October to May, though may be seen at other times, and are fragrant; to 3cm long and white in colour. The fragrance is similar to, though weaker than, the commonly grown exotic gardenia. Flowers are followed by small globular hard fruits to 2.5cm in diameter.

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

4.12

(1)Occurs over most of the island and in several communities, but usually as isolated individuals. [no evidence] (2)Other dominant species include Tournefortia argentea, Pandanus tectorius, and occasionally Guettarda speciosa, which are usually found as isolated specimens or in small groups...

(1)Florence, J., S. Waldren, and A.J. Chepstow-Lusty. 1995. The flora of the Pitcairn Islands: a review. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 56: 79-1 19. (2)Thaman, R. R. 1992. Vegetation of Nauru and the Gilbert Islands: Case Studies of Poverty, Degradation, Disturbance, and Displacement. Pacific Science 46(2): 128-158.

5.01

(1)Terrestrial

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

5.02

(1)Rubiaceae

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

5.03

(1)Rubiaceae

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

5.04

(1)G.speciosa is a spreading shrub to about 4 metres. It has large green ovate leaves up to 23cm long and 18cm wide. Tubular flowers occur from October to May, though may be seen at other times, and are fragrant; to 3cm long and white in colour. The fragrance is similar to, though weaker than, the commonly grown exotic gardenia. Flowers are followed by small globular hard fruits to 2.5cm in diameter.

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

6.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Mueller-Dombois, D. and F. R. Fosberg. 1998. Vegetation of the Tropical Pacific Islands. Springer-Verlag, New York.

6.02

(1)Propagation is from seed which may take several months to germinate.

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

6.03

Unknown

6.04

(1)G. scabra is self-compatible and can pollinate itself. [related species with similar floral morphology, so G. speciosa probably also self-compatible]

(1)Richards, J. H. and S. Koptur. 1993. Floral Variation and Distyly in Guettarda scabra (Rubiaceae). American Journal of Botany 80(1): 31-40.

6.05

(1)The flowers are sweetly fragrant and pollinated at night by moths, the corollas falling away the following morning. (2)The strongly fragrant, night-opening, white flowers are probably moth-pollinated, although D.A.Powell noted that the flowers are visited by the small White-Eye birds (Zosterops ) in the early morning.

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI. (2)Flora of Australia Online. http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=7216 [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

6.06

(1)Propagation is from seed which may take several months to germinate.

(1)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

6.07

(1)Slow growth rate, less than 0.75 meters (2 ft) per year. [Height at maturity = 5-20 m; therefore, tree will reach reproductive maturity at 6+ years of age]

(1)Wilkinson, K. M., C. R. Elevitch, and R. R. Thaman. 2000. Choosing Timber Species for Pacific Island Agroforestry. Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands #6. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holuealoa, Hawaii, USA. Web site: http//www.agroforestry.net

7.01

(1)Fruit flattened-globose, +/- angular, ca 1" broad, woody, whitish to orange, circular calyx scar prominent.

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

7.02

(1)One species is cultivated as an ornamental in gardens of Hawaii.

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

7.03

(1)The fruit of G. speciosa is quite buoyant because of a loose, pithy tissue above and between the seeds and can be dispersed long distances by water.

(1)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

7.04

(1)Abstract The dispersal ecology of seventeen maritime species, which are dominant and/or characteristic species of coastal communities on the Ryukyu Islands, was studied. The species were Calophyllum inophyllum, Canavalia maritima, Clerodendron inerme, Guettarda speciosa, Hernandia sonora, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Ipomoea gracilis, I. pes-caprae, Messerschmidia argentea, Pandanus odoratissimus, Pongamia pinnata, Scaevola frutescens, Sophora tomentosa, Terminalia catappa, Thespesia populnea, Vigna marina and Wedelia biflora. The structure and size of disseminules and their buoyancy and viability in seawater were examined in the laboratory. The disseminules of these seventeen species have morphological characteristics for buoyancy, and tests showed that these species could be dispersed by sea currents. Drift disseminules on the drift line, seedlings on the hightide line, and young plants of woody species in the herb zone were observed, being abundant on the coasts of the Ryukyu Islands. The Kuroshio Current carries these disseminules from islands where these species form part of the tropical coastal vegetation.

(1)Nakanishi, H. 1988. Dispersal ecology of the maritime plants in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Ecological Research 3(2): 163-173.

7.05

(1)Abstract The dispersal ecology of seventeen maritime species, which are dominant and/or characteristic species of coastal communities on the Ryukyu Islands, was studied. The species were Calophyllum inophyllum, Canavalia maritima, Clerodendron inerme, Guettarda speciosa, Hernandia sonora, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Ipomoea gracilis, I. pes-caprae, Messerschmidia argentea, Pandanus odoratissimus, Pongamia pinnata, Scaevola frutescens, Sophora tomentosa, Terminalia catappa, Thespesia populnea, Vigna marina and Wedelia biflora. The structure and size of disseminules and their buoyancy and viability in seawater were examined in the laboratory. The disseminules of these seventeen species have morphological characteristics for buoyancy, and tests showed that these species could be dispersed by sea currents. Drift disseminules on the drift line, seedlings on the hightide line, and young plants of woody species in the herb zone were observed, being abundant on the coasts of the Ryukyu Islands. The Kuroshio Current carries these disseminules from islands where these species form part of the tropical coastal vegetation.

(1)Nakanishi, H. 1988. Dispersal ecology of the maritime plants in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Ecological Research 3(2): 163-173.

7.06

(1)The largest defecated seed was 20 x 22 mm (Guettarda speciosa; mean +/- s.d. for all defecations = 18.0 +/- 5.3 x 13.5 +/- 3.8) [but see Brooke et al. 1996] (2)Certain fruit (e.g., Alyxia sp. Nov., Guettarda speciosa) were persistent and, lacking bird or mammal consumers, were recorded over several months.

(1)McConkey, K. R., H. J. Meehan, and D. R. Drake. 2004. Seed dispersal by Pacific Pigeons (Ducula pacifica) in Tonga, Western Polynesia. Emu 104: 369-376. (2)Brooke, M. de L., P. J. Jones, J. A. Vickery, and S. Waldren. 1996. Seasonal Patterns of Leaf Growth and Loss, Flowering and Fruiting on a Subtropical Central Pacific Island. Biotropica 28(2): 164-179.

7.07

(1)The largest defecated seed was 20 x 22 mm (Guettarda speciosa; mean +/- s.d. for all defecations = 18.0 +/- 5.3 x 13.5 +/- 3.8) [no evidence of external transport]

(1)McConkey, K. R., H. J. Meehan, and D. R. Drake. 2004. Seed dispersal by Pacific Pigeons (Ducula pacifica) in Tonga, Western Polynesia. Emu 104: 369-376.

7.08

(1)The largest defecated seed was 20 x 22 mm (Guettarda speciosa; mean +/- s.d. for all defecations = 18.0 +/- 5.3 x 13.5 +/- 3.8) (2)A1.2. Observations of frugivory on fruits of native (indigenous or endemic) woody plant species. [indicates G. speciosa fruits are consumed by tortoises at Aldabra]

(1)McConkey, K. R., H. J. Meehan, and D. R. Drake. 2004. Seed dispersal by Pacific Pigeons (Ducula pacifica) in Tonga, Western Polynesia. Emu 104: 369-376. (2)Küffer, C. 2006. Impacts of woody invasive species on tropical forests of the Seychelles. PhD Dissertation. Swiss Federal Institute Of Technology, Zurich.

8.01

(1)G. speciosa has round fruits (24-48 seeds/fruit) with tough, fibrous mesophyll (15-20 mm diam). [unlikely to produce such high seed densities given fairly small size of plant] (2)G.speciosa is a spreading shrub to about 4 metres. It has large green ovate leaves up to 23cm long and 18cm wide. Tubular flowers occur from October to May, though may be seen at other times, and are fragrant; to 3cm long and white in colour. The fragrance is similar to, though weaker than, the commonly grown exotic gardenia. Flowers are followed by small globular hard fruits to 2.5cm in diameter.

(1)Louda, S. M. and P. H. Zedler. 1985. Predation in Insular Plant Dynamics: An Experimental Assessment of Postdispersal Fruit and Seed Survival, Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands. American Journal of Botany 72(3): 438-445. (2)Australian Native Plant Society. 2007. Guettarda speciosa. http://asgap.org.au/g-spe.html [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]

8.02

Unknown

8.03

Unknown [no information found on control]

8.04

Unknown

8.05

Unknown