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

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis; Chinese hibiscus

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

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

1

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

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

n

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

n

4.1

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

y=1, n=0

n

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

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

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

y

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

n

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

y

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

6.07

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

See left

4

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

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

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

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:

-2

Source

Notes

1.01

Song JuanJuan; Zhuang DongHong (2001) Chromosome numbers and ploidy of several plants in Hibiscus L. Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany, 2001, Vol.9, No.3, pp.213-216, 20 ref.

AB: The root-tip metaphase chromosome numbers of H. schizopetalus, H. mutabilis, H. rosa-sinensis and its cultivars Double Rainbow, Flavo-plenus and Carminatus are 2n=42 , 2n=92 , 2n=84 , 2n=105 , 2n=138 and 2n=147 , respectively. A ploidy relationship exists among them except for H. rosa-sinensis cv. Flavo-plenus, the basic chromosome number being x =21. H. rosa-sinensis could be a hybrid which arose from cultivar Carminatus and H. schizopetalus . [origin of H. roas-sinensis is obscure, apparently does not occur in nature, see answer to question 2.01]

1.02

Long, R. W., and O. Lakela. 1971, A flora of tropical Florida. Miami, University of Miami Press.

Apparently naturalized in Florida, old fields, near old habitations

1.03

no evidence

2.01

(1) Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. 542pp. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. P.253
(2) 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/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Hibiscus+rosa-sinensis (07 June 2002)

(1) "native to tropical East Africa though unknown in the wild"
(2) Native: Asia-Tropical: Bangladesh; Bhutan; India [n.]; Nepal

2.02

2.03

(1) http://www.floridata.com/ref/h/hibisc_r.cfm (2)http://www.sd1new.net/GardenPages/hibiscus.htm (3)Adams.G.D. Flowering Plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona.

2.04

(1) Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. 542pp. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. P.253
(2) 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/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Hibiscus+rosa-sinensis (07 June 2002)

(1) "native to tropical East Africa though unknown in the wild"
(2) Native: Asia-Tropical: Bangladesh; Bhutan; India [n.]; Nepal

2.05

(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/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Hibiscus+rosa-sinensis (07 June 2002) (2)www.caribbeanlandscape.com/plantsandtrees.html

(1)Distributional range: widely cult., probable origin tropical Asia
(2)Caribbean

3.01

Long, R. W., and O. Lakela. 1971, A flora of tropical Florida. Miami, University of Miami Press.

Apparently naturalized in Florida, old fields, near old habitations

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

no evidence

3.05

Bacon, P., P.J. Terry, N. Waltham, & P.Castro S. (1997) An Electronic Atlas of World Weed and Invasive Plants. Version 1.0, 1997. A database based on the original work "A Geographical Atlas of World Weeds" by Holm et al 1979.

H. abelmoschus was listed as a common weed in Indonesia; H. articulatus was listed as a common weed in Angola; H. aspera was listed as a common weed in Gahna, Ivory Coast; H. cannabinus was listed as a serious weed in Zimbabwe, and common weed in Cambodia.

4.01

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. 542pp. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. P.253

smooth shrub

4.02

Nakatani, M.; Yamachika, T.; Tanoue, T.; Hase, T. (19850 Structures and synthesis of seed-germination inhibitors from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Phytochemistry, 1985, Vol.24, No.1, pp.39-42, 9 ref.

AB: Germination of lettuce seed was inhibited by 50% by 8-nonynoic and 9-decynoic acids and their methyl esters, isolated from stem bark, at 20, 40, 5 and 10 g/ml water, respectively [lab only]

4.03

no evidence

4.04

(1)Thirteen types of tropical trees and shrubs available in the ecological farm of UTA, at Chamcar Daung, Cambodia, were selected for a screening test to evaluate in vitro pepsin/pancreatin digestibility of N and to explore the possible interdependence with other non-conventional tests for assessing nutritive value of foliages for pigs. Leaves and petioles were from Acacia auriculiformis , Artocarpus heterophyllus , Borassus flabellifer , Cocos nucifera , Desmanthus virgatus , Eucalyptus spp, Flemingia macrophylla , Gliricidia sepium , Hibiscus rosasinensis , Leucaena leucocephala , Moringa oleifera , Morus alba and Trichanthera gigantea . DM, N and NDF range of values were 21.0 to 60.9%, 1.27 to 4.13% and 24.1 to 73.0% in dry basis, respectively. It was found that an increase in pepsin/pancreatin, in vitro N digestibility was associated with less NDF-linked N (R2 0.50; P <0.007) and lower dry matter content (R2 0.58; P <0.002) in leaves, and higher values of DM solubility (R2 0.67; P <0.001), in vitro DM dig

4.05

http://www.vcn.vnn.vn/sp_pape/spec_00_10_20_3.htm

digestible fodder for goats

4.06

(1) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, M.; Ali, H. (1981) Biology of spotted bollworm of cotton, Earias vittella (F.). Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 1981, Vol.13, No.1/2, pp.105-110, 12 ref.
(2) Iss-hak, R. R.; El-Kadey, E. A.; El-Refai, S. A. (1981) Biological studies on the American cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hbn.) in Egypt (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Research Bulletin, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, 1981, No.1611, 9 [+9] pp., 17 ref.  

(1) AB: Life-history studies on the cotton pest Earias vittella (F.) under semi-natural conditions in the laboratory in Pakistan showed that females mated for 34-109 min for successful insemination and laid 82-378 eggs each in 4-7 days; the egg stage lasted 3-4 days, the larval stage 5-16 days, the prepupal stage 1 day, the pupal stage 6-13 days and the adult life-span 8-18 days, with a total life-span of 24-45 days. Larvae that were offered the choice of different parts of different food-plants selected bolls and flowers of American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), okra fruits, buds of G. hirsutum, bolls, flowers and buds of desi cotton (G. arboreum), buds and flowers of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), flowers of Malva parviflora, milky maize grains, flowers of Abutilon indicum, flowers of H. rosa-sinensis, flowers of sarson (Brassica campestris var. sarson), jute pods, flowers of Malvastrum tricuspidatum, soyabean pods, flowers of Cassia fistula and ears of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (typhoideum)), in de

4.07

(1) Kanerva, L.; Estlander, T.; Petman, L.; Mäkinen-Kiljunen, S. (2001) Occupational allergic contact urticaria to yucca (Yucca aloifolia ), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina ), and spathe flower (Spathiphyllum wallisii ). Allergy (Copenhagen), 2001, Vol.56, No.10, pp.1008-1011, 27 ref.
(2) Paulsen, E.; Skov, P. S.; Andersen, K. E. (1998) Immediate skin and mucosal symptoms from pot plants and vegetables in gardeners and greenhouse workers. Contact Dermatitis, 1998, Vol.39, No.4, pp.166-170, 21 ref. (3)http://www.blarg.net/~tn2wa/edibleflowers.pdf

(1) Occupational contact urticaria (CU) from plants is often reported, but it is less often attributed to decorative houseplants. We present an atopic gardener and caretaker of plants who developed CU when occupationally exposed to weeping fig, spathe flower, and yucca [Finland; date not given]. Sensitization was evaluated by skin prick tests (SPT) and analyses for IgE antibodies. SPT were positive to all three plants, and IgE antibodies were found to weeping fig and spathe flower. SPT were also performed with several decorative houseplants in more than 600 patients. Positive SPT was found to weeping fig (12%), African milk tree (Euphorbia trigona ; 8.3%), yucca (5.8%), Chinese rose (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ; 4.7%), massangana (Dracaena fragrans ; 4.6%), bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus ; 3.2%), and spathe flower (3.2%). Our study indicates that SPT and tests for IgE antibody are useful in detecting occupational CU caused by houseplants. [symptoms insignificant, occurring only in a small minority of a specif

4.08

unlikely, plant of moist areas with lush foliage

4.09

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P.447 (2)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/413.html (3)http://plants.gardenbed.com/33/3205_lan.asp

(1) "Grow in full sun to partial shade" (2)Full sun (3)full sun

4.1

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. (2)http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s351138.htm (3)http://plants.gardenbed.com/33/3205_lan.asp

(1)"slightly acid, fertile soils" (2)well drained soil. (3)generally cannot be successfully grown in areas where the soil quality is of a poor standard, does not tolerate heavy clay soils

4.11

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. 542pp. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. P.253

"shrub to 3 m high"

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. 542pp. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. P.253

"shrub to 3 m high"; Malvaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. 542pp. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. P.253

"shrub to 3 m high"

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Markose, B. L.; Aravindakshan, M. (1987) Compatibility studies in shoe flower (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.). Agricultural Research Journal of Kerala, 1987, Vol.25, No.1, pp.17-26, 6 ref.

AB: "The ornamental species H. rosa-sinensis (HR), H. schizopetalus (HS) and H. mutabilis (HM) were utilised to study their self and cross compatibility. It was found that only accession (ACC) 2 of HR and HM set fruits naturally. Out of the 7 types/varieties of HR and the 2 other species only 5 types/varieties of HR and the species HM were found to be self compatible. The fruits matured in 28 to 38 days and seeds germinated in 10 to 18 days. The number of seeds per capsule ranged from 8.5 to 192.5 and seed germination ranged from 3.33 to 69.77%. The survival of germinated seedlings was more than 95%."

6.03

(1)Markose, B. L.; Aravindakshan, M. (1987) Compatibility studies in shoe flower (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.). Agricultural Research Journal of Kerala, 1987, Vol.25, No.1, pp.17-26, 6 ref. (2)http://www.redlist.org/info/captions.html

(1) "Only in crosses between ACC 2 x HS and ACC 26 x HS was fruit set observed, but the seeds obtained from the fruits failed to germinate. Thus a strong barrier for crossability between the species was evident." (2)Mandrinette (Hibiscus fragilis) is one of the many Critically Endangered plant species unique to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. This species hybridizes easily with the introduced garden plant Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

6.04

Markose, B. L.; Aravindakshan, M. (1987) Compatibility studies in shoe flower (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.). Agricultural Research Journal of Kerala, 1987, Vol.25, No.1, pp.17-26, 6 ref.

(1) AB: The ornamental species H. rosa-sinensis (HR), H. schizopetalus (HS) and H. mutabilis (HM) were utilised to study their self and cross compatibility. It was found that only accession (ACC) 2 of HR and HM set fruits naturally. Out of the 7 types/varieties of HR and the 2 other species only 5 types/varieties of HR and the species HM were found to be self compatible. The fruits matured in 28 to 38 days and seeds germinated in 10 to 18 days. The number of seeds per capsule ranged from 8.5 to 192.5 and seed germination ranged from 3.33 to 69.77%. The survival of germinated seedlings was more than 95%. Intra-specific cross compatibility was observed in all the crosses attempted in the species HR except in cases where ACC 11 was used as the maternal parent. In all cases the capsules took less time to attain maturity than their selfed maternal parent. In the majority of crosses, the germination of hybrid seeds was earlier than that of seeds obtained from the selfed maternal parent. The cross ACC 2 x 11 had th

6.05

(1)www.birdwatchersdigest.com/special_sections/.../13plants.html

bird-pollinated based on floral morphology and position of the stigmas and stamen (bees may visit but are unlikely to be effective) (1)Visited by hummingbirds

6.06

no evidence

6.07

R. Criley, UH Department of Horticulture, personal communication

7.01

no evidence

7.02

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/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Hibiscus+rosa-sinensis (07 June 2002)

"widely cultivated"

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. 542pp. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. P.253

"Fruit a capsule"

7.07

no evidence

7.08

no evidence

8.01

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. 542pp. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. P.253

"Fruit a capsule, infrequently formed in cultivation in the wet tropics."

8.02

no evidence

8.03

Davies, F. T., Jr.; Duray, S. A. 1992. Effect of preemergent herbicide application on rooting and subsequent lines growth of selected nursery crops. Journal of Environmental Horticulture.10:.181-186

8.04

http://www.floridata.com/ref/h/hibisc_r.cfm

tolerates frequent, heavy pruning when grown as a hedge

8.05

no evidence