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

Heliconia psittacorum L. f. (parrot's beak, parrots flower, parrot plant, parrot's tonque, parakeet flower, popokaytongo)

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

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

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

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

y

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

n

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

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

y

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

y

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

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

y

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

2

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

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

y

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

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:

11

Notes

Source

1.01

(1)Heliconia psittacorum varieties form a group of smaller growing Heliconias which rarely exceed 5' ( 1.5 m). They are less affected by cool temperatures than other Heliconias and also require less care. (2)This site lists some varieties of Heliconia psittacorum.
(3) "All 19 cultivars of H. psittacorum tested had similar profiles using 3 different primers. Three cultivars of the hybrid H. psittacorum x H. spathocircinata (Golden Torch, Red Torch and Alan Carle) had slightly different RAPD profiles which were distinct from that of H. psittacorum x H. marginata. Of the 3 triploid cultivars of H. psittacorum tested, Iris and Petra had identical profiles with all the primers. A prominent band identified in Iris and Petra was absentin Sassy. It is concluded that Iris and Petra are the same genotype." [many cultivars used in horticulture are triploid and hybrids but this assessment only covers non-hybrid plants]

(1)http://www.tropilab.com/parrotsbeak.html (2)http://heliconiaparadise.com/Heliconia_psitt.cv.Andromeda.htm
(3) Goh, C. J.; Kumar, P. P.; Yau, J. C. K.; Editor: Vainstein, A. & Weiss, D. (1995) Genetic variations detected with RAPD markers in Heliconia. Acta Horticulturae, 1995, No. 420, pp. 72-74, 5 ref.

1.02

cultivated & sometimes naturalized elsewhere

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Heliconia+psittacorum

1.03

No evidence

2.01

Native: SOUTHERN AMERICA Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad Northern South America: French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname; Venezuela Brazil: Brazil, Western South America: Colombia

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Heliconia+psittacorum

2.02

Native: SOUTHERN AMERICA Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad Northern South America: French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname; Venezuela Brazil: Brazil, Western South America: Colombia

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Heliconia+psittacorum

2.03

(1)USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1°C (30° F), USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C (35° F), USDA Zone 11: above 4.5° C (40° F) (2)occasionally naturalized up to 700 feet [Jamaica]

(1)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/55674/ (2)Adams, C.D. 1970. Flowering plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona.

2.04

Native: SOUTHERN AMERICA Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad Northern South America: French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname; Venezuela Brazil: Brazil, Western South America: Colombia

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Heliconia+psittacorum

2.05

(1)cultivated & sometimes naturalized elsewhere (2)Introduced to the U.S. in Florida and Hawaii.

(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Heliconia+psittacorum (2)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

3.01

(1)cultivated & sometimes naturalized elsewhere (2)Some alien species such as the ornamental plant Heliconia psittacorum adapt well to a new location and thrive. The Heliconia was brought to Jamaica many years ago from Central and South America. It has become established in both wild and cultivated areas without negatively affecting other species and is considered a 'naturalized' species.

(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Heliconia+psittacorum (2)http//www.iabin-us.org/projects/i3n/i3n_documents/final_reports/final_jamaica_brochure.doc

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

Listed as "present" in Brazil

Geographic Atlas of World Weeds, Holm, Pancho, Herberger, Pluncknett

3.05

Heliconia bihai is considered a weed and subjected to control

Argel, P. Villegas, C. Doll, J. (1977) Chemical control of Heliconia bihai in pastures. (Foreign Title: Control quimico de tacana (Heliconia bihai) en potreros.) Revista COMALFI, 1977, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 32-36, 11 ref.

4.01

No evidence

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know

4.05

No evidence

4.06

The following fungi species are listed to be associated with Heliconia psittacorum: Calonectria spathiphylli, Cerotelium rectangulata, Exserohilum rostratum, Puccinia heliconiae, Septoria sp, Uredo retangulata. Did not find any of the above to be recognized pathogens.
(2) AB: P. solanacearum was isolated from Heliconia showing bacterial wilt in field-grown and imported plants in Queensland, Australia. These isolates were compared with indigenous isolates from Strelitzia, Synedrella, Alpinia, Archontophoenix alexandrae, tomato and sapote [Pouteria sapota], and were characterized biochemically into biovars and pathogenically into races. Biovar 3 isolates were pathogenic on tomato but not on diploid or triploid bananas. Only the Heliconia isolates were pathogenic on H. psittacorum. Biovar 1 isolates from Heliconia were highly virulent on diploid and triploid bananas and H. psittacorum but not on tomato, resembling pathogenic race 2, the cause of Moko disease in banana. On Kelman's tetrazolium medium, biovar 1

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm
(2) Diatloff, A. Akiew, E. Wood, B. A. Hyde, K. D. (1992) Characteristics of isolates of Pseudomonas solanacearum from Heliconia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 1992, Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 163-168, 23 ref.

4.07

No evidence

4.08

evergreen foliage; moist tropical

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/55674/

4.09

(1)Sun Exposure: Partial to Full Shade (2) full sun to 50 % of shade

(1)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/55674/ (2)http://www.heliconiaparadise.com/Heliconia_psitt.cv.Andromeda.htm

4.1

(1)Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) (2)Heliconias are heavy feeders, and need rich humic soil. (3)soil should be well drained, rich and moist soil is needed (4)prefers rich well-drained soil

(1)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/55674/ (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Heliconiaceae/Heliconia_psittacorum.html (3)http://www.tropilab.com/parrotsbeak.html (4)http://www.greenlagoon.com/Heliconias.htm

4.11

Herbaceous plant belonging to Heliconeaceae

4.12

(1)usually forming dense clones (2)About 60 shoots per m2

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/species/heliconia_spp.htm (2)http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcel/vol1.htm

5.01

Heliconeaceae

5.02

Heliconeaceae

5.03

Herbaceous plant belonging to Heliconeaceae

5.04

Herbaceous plant belonging to Heliconeaceae

6.01

Psittacorums have no particular blooming season and produce inflorescences all year long , usually blooming already during the first year after planting.

http://heliconiaparadise.com/Heliconia_psitt.cv.Andromeda.htm

6.02

Propagation: rhizomes and seeds

http://www.tropilab.com/parrotsbeak.html

6.03

(1(AB: In Heliconia psittacorum, a natural hybrid, Golden Torch (H. psittacorum X H. spathocircinata), and in H. rostrata of the family Heliconiaceae, the anthers are tetrasporangiate with prominent raphide crystal sacs along sutures of dehiscence. (2)AB: Six cultivars of Heliconia psittacorum were selected for studies on their natural fruit-bearing ability, pollen formation and pollination under the tropical climatic conditions of Singapore. Three of them, namely 'Tay', 'Andromeda' and 'Lady Di', were partially fertile with a very low rate of fruit set, ranging from 2.8% to 4.7%. They were found to be diploid with 2n = 24 chromosomes. The process of pollen formation (microsporogenesis) was normal, and pollen grains were all uniform in size and appeared normal. The poor fruit set of these three cultivars was attributed to poor pollen germination on stigmas rather than poor pollination or self-incompatibility. The other three cultivars, namely 'Petra', 'Sassy' and 'Iris', were completely sterile. Their pollen

(1)TI: Anther and pollen development in Heliconia
AU: Prakash,-N [Reprint-author]; Lee,-Y-H [Author]; Goh,-C-J [Author]
SO: Harvard-Papers-in-Botany. 2000; 5(1): 193-200.
PY: 2000 (2)TI: Pollen formation and fruit set in some cultivars of Heliconia psittacorum AU: Lee,-Y-H [Reprint-author]; Ng,-N-Y [Author]; Goh,-C-J [Author]
SO: Scientia-Horticulturae-(Amsterdam). 1994; 60(1-2): 167-172.
PY: 1994

6.04

(1)Most species are self-compatible. (2)Not self-incompatible

(1)http://www.tropilab.com/rhizomesbulbous.html (2) Lee, Y. H. , Ng, N. Y. , Goh, C. J. 1994. Pollen formation and fruit set in some cultivars of Heliconia psittacorum. Scientia Horticulturae, 60:167-172

6.05

The hummingbird that comes to this flower has a bill precisely shaped to fit into the flower. When the bird feeds, it receives a meal of nectar and in return, the plant's flower is pollinated.

http://www.junglephotos.com/plants/heliconias/hpsittacorum.html

6.06

Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets) [Heliconias often grow along riverbanks in their native habitat, leading to opportunities for spread by rhizomes during water flow]

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/55674/

6.07

(1)Months from planting to flowering - 8 months [probably start from rhizome] (2)usually blooming already during the first year after planting. [but flowers are long-lived with seed capsulre requiring several months to mature]

(1)http://www.agrotropical.andes.com/heliconia_erec_psiita_andromeda.htm (2)http://www.heliconiaparadise.com/Heliconia_psitt.cv.Andromeda.htm

7.01

no evidence of being a food crop; cut flowers do not contain mature seeds

7.02

Potential uses- Cut flower for special events, Ornamental plant, protection of streams, Landscaping.

http://www.agrotropical.andes.com/heliconia_erec_psiita_andromeda.htm

7.03

mostly propagated by rhizomes.

7.04

"Virtually all species of heliconias have fruits that are bright blue, purple, or blue-black in color. Each fruit contains 3 very hard seeds, which are capable of extended dormancy in the soil - perhaps on the order of many years. Fruits are eaten by a variety of fruit-eating birds, with tanagers and thrushes likely for most dispersal."

http://www.projectamazonas.com/subpages/floraandfauna/FloraFaunaGalleries/plants-heliconia%20gallery.htm

7.05

(1) near mouth of Rio Macaua, tributary of the Rio Iaco. [potential for rhizomes to break off and float away] (2)Uses: protection of streams

(1)http://scisun.nybg.org:8890/searchdb/owa/wwwcatalog.detail_list?this_id=3943443 (2)http://www.heliconias.net/heliconia_erec_psiita_andromeda.htm

7.06

"Virtually all species of heliconias have fruits that are bright blue, purple, or blue-black in color. Each fruit contains 3 very hard seeds, which are capable of extended dormancy in the soil - perhaps on the order of many years. Fruits are eaten by a variety of fruit-eating birds, with tanagers and thrushes likely for most dispersal."

http://www.projectamazonas.com/subpages/floraandfauna/FloraFaunaGalleries/plants-heliconia%20gallery.htm

7.07

"Virtually all species of heliconias have fruits that are bright blue, purple, or blue-black in color. Each fruit contains 3 very hard seeds, which are capable of extended dormancy in the soil - perhaps on the order of many years. Fruits are eaten by a variety of fruit-eating birds, with tanagers and thrushes likely for most dispersal."

http://www.projectamazonas.com/subpages/floraandfauna/FloraFaunaGalleries/plants-heliconia%20gallery.htm

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

(1)Photo of purple colored fruit that appears to be relatively large. [3-seeded] (2)Low fruit set rate

(1)http://www.junglephotos.com/plants/heliconias/hpsittacorum.html (20Lee, Y. H. , Ng, N. Y. , Goh, C. J. 1994. Pollen formation and fruit set in some cultivars of Heliconia psittacorum. Scientia Horticulturae, 60:167-172

8.02

"Virtually all species of heliconias have fruits that are bright blue, purple, or blue-black in color. Each fruit contains 3 very hard seeds, which are capable of extended dormancy in the soil - perhaps on the order of many years. Fruits are eaten by a variety of fruit-eating birds, with tanagers and thrushes likely for most dispersal."

http://www.projectamazonas.com/subpages/floraandfauna/FloraFaunaGalleries/plants-heliconia%20gallery.htm

8.03

No evidence

8.04

Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets) [ability to regrow from underground parts and tolerate frequent clipping]

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/55674/

8.05

Don’t know