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

Jatropha gossypiifolia (belly-ache bush, cotton leaved Jatropha)

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

y

3.03

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

n=0

y

3.04

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

n=0

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

y

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

y

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

y

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

y

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

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

1

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

y

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

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

y

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

n

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

18

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

'cultivated and run wild in many parts of India.'

Brandis, D. Indian Trees. Archibald Constable and Co Ltd. London.

1.03

No evidence

2.01

Origin: Central to South America, Caribbeanl
(2)The original range is not known, but today it grows wild from Florida through the West Indies and from Mexico through tropical South America (Howard, R.A. 1989. Flora of the Lesser Antilles, Leeward and Windward Islands. Vol. 5. Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, Jamaica Plain, MA. 604 p.). It has naturalized in most tropical areas of the world (Burkill, H.M. 1994. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. Vol. 2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. 636 p.).

(2) http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Jatropha%20gossypiifolia.pdf

2.02

2.03

(1)USDA: 10-11 (2)All specimens collected < 500 m, most < 200m elevation 

(1)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Euphorbiaceae/Jatropha_gossypiifolia.html (2)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast

2.04

Origin: Central to South America, Caribbean

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Euphorbiaceae/Jatropha_gossypiifolia.html

2.05

(1) India, (2) Paupa New Guinea, (3) West Tropical Africa, (4) Australia

(1)Brandis, D. Indian Trees. Archibald Constable and Co Ltd. London.
(2) Chadhokar, P. A. (1978) Weed problems of grazing lands and control of some problem weeds in the Markham Valley of Papua New Guinea. PANS, 1978, Vol.24, No.1, pp.63-66, 4 ref.
(3) Burkill, H.M. 1994. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. Vol. 2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. 636 p.
(4) Grace, B. (2003) Biological control of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia ). Agnote - Northern Territory of Australia, 2003, No.F93, 2 pp.

3.01

'cultivated and run wild in many parts of India.'

Brandis, D. Indian Trees. Archibald Constable and Co Ltd. London.

3.02

p.23 "Bellyache bush is an opportunistic coloniser of disturbed sites. It can form pure stands in open areas where the natural vegetation has been damaged or removed by cattle, man (e.g. following road construction or dwelling construction) or floodwaters. At hundreds of sites in northern Australia, it has become abundant along roadsides, around abandoned homesteads and near old mine sites. Like many weeds, colonisation by bellyache bush is probably an indicator of significant exogenous or endogenous disturbance."

http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf

3.03

(2) AB: "Weeds are a serious problem in this region during both the establishment of pastures and their productive period, causing serious reduction in growth, vigour, productivity and persistence. The biology and weed ecology of Cassia alata, Digitaria insularis, Jatropha gossypifolia, Mimosa spp., Sida spp., Solanum mauritianum and Solanum torvum are briefly described and detailed recommendations are given for the control of these weeds."
(2) "The species is considered an agricultural weed but can be suppressed by common weed-control practices."

Chadhokar, P. A. (1978) Weed problems of grazing lands and control of some problem weeds in the Markham Valley of Papua New Guinea. PANS, 1978, Vol.24, No.1, pp.63-66, 4 ref.
(2) http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Jatropha%20gossypiifolia.pdf

3.04

p.21 "As far as the author is aware, there has not been any research on the plant’s environmental impact. However, Smith (1995) and Csurhes and Edwards (1998) have listed the plant as an environmental weed. Smith (1995) commented that native bees (Trigona spp.) are attracted to the plant’s sticky leaves and stems but did not say whether they are harmed. Of particular concern is the plant’s impact within riparian habitats where it appears to be in direct competition with native plants in the early stages of successional development, perhaps replacing native colonisers and delaying or preventing subsequent invasion by secondary species of native shrubs and trees." [speculation; evidence seems to suggest mainly a disturbance weed]]

http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf

3.05

(1)Jatropha gladulifera is listed as "present" in India but no evidence that it is an economic weed (2)Jatropha curcas is listed as a noxious weed of Australia

(1)Holme et al 1977. Geographic atlas of world weeds. University of Hawaii Press (2)Parsons, W.T. and Cuthbertson, E.G. (1992). Noxious Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Melbourne.

4.01

No evidence

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Euphorbiaceae/Jatropha_gossypiifolia.html

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

"It is unpalatable to livestock"

Pitt, J. L. (1999) Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia ). Agnote (Darwin), 1999, No.480, No. F22, 3pp. Available at: <http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/480.pdf>

4.05

p.19 "In 1995, however, stock losses in the order of some 312 animals were attributed to bellyache bush in the Dalrymple shire of north Queensland. This figure involved 35 separate reports of stock losses; 11 reports received by P. Jeffrey from the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines and 24 reports by J. Fry, Stock Inspector, Queensland Department of Primary Industries. In total, 15 goats, 7 horses and some 290 cattle were reported to have died after consuming bellyache bush. "

http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf

4.06

(1) This site lists 12 fungi to be associated with J. gossypifolia. [One species, Colletotrichum capsici, is the casual agent of chili fruit rot]

(1) http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

"Red physic nut contains toxins in the seeds, sap and other tissues, capable of killing humans (Marcano-Fondeur 2002). Apparently, poisoning cases are rare." [red nut eaten, attractive to children?]

http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Jatropha%20gossypiifolia.pdf

4.08

(1) Probably not - an evergreen shrub.
(2) p2. "Swaths of plants are frequently established around villages in Africa as fire barriers."

(1) http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Euphorbiaceae/Jatropha_gossypiifolia.html
(2) http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Jatropha%20gossypiifolia.pdf

4.09

(1) Sun exposure: Light shade to full sun
(2) "It is intolerant of shade."

(1) http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Euphorbiaceae/Jatropha_gossypiifolia.htmll
(2) http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Jatropha%20gossypiifolia.pdf

4.1

"Red physic nut grows on nearly all types of soils within its range."

http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Jatropha%20gossypiifolia.pdf

4.11

Probably not - not a vine.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Euphorbiaceae/Jatropha_gossypiifolia.html

4.12

p2. "Bellyache bush is now showing invasive tendencies in the Northern Territory, spreading into pastoral land, forming dense thickets and rendering land unsuitable for grazing."

Pitt, J. L. (1999) Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia ). Agnote (Darwin), 1999, No.480, No. F22, 3pp. Available at: <http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/480.pdf>

5.01

Evergreen shrub in Euphorbiaceae, up to 5 feet tall (1.5 m)

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Euphorbiaceae/Jatropha_gossypiifolia.html

5.02

Euphorbiaceae

5.03

Euphorbiaceae

5.04

No evidence

6.01

The plant flowers every 2 months throughout the year, producing small flowers that secrete nectar which attracts many insects.

Ormond, W. T.; Pinheiro, M. C. B.; Castells, A. R. C. de 1984. Contribution to the study of the reproduction and floral biology of Jatropha gossypifolia. Contribuição ao estudo da reprodução e biologia floral de Jatropha gossypifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae). Revista Brasileira de Biologia. Vol.44, No.2, pp.159-167

6.02

(1) p.2 "Bellyache bush is able to grow from seed"

(1) Pitt, J. L. (1999) Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia ). Agnote (Darwin), 1999, No.480, No. F22, 3pp. Available at: <http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/480.pdf>

6.03

AB: "Jatropha tanjorensis , a species found abundantly in the Tanjore, Pudukottai, Trichirapalli and Ramnad districts of Tamil Nadu state, India, and grown as a fence plant, showed intermediacy in phenotypic characters of J. curcas and J. gossypifolia . A detailed survey at its place of occurrence supplemented with data employed from cytological and peroxidase isoenzyme studies revealed that J. tanjorensis is a natural interspecific hybrid between these two species. "

Prabakaran, A. J.; Sujatha, M. (1999) Jatropha tanjorensis Ellis & Saroja, a natural interspecific hybrid occurring in Tamil Nadu, India. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 1999, Vol.46, No.3, pp.213-218, 10 ref.

6.04

It is monoecious, protogynous and self-compatible.

Ormond, W. T.; Pinheiro, M. C. B.; Castells, A. R. C. de 1984. Contribution to the study of the reproduction and floral biology of Jatropha gossypifolia. Contribuição ao estudo da reprodução e biologia floral de Jatropha gossypifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae). Revista Brasileira de Biologia. Vol.44, No.2, pp.159-167

6.05

The plant flowers every 2 months throughout the year, producing small flowers that secrete nectar which attracts many insects. In areas where the plant is cultivated, the main pollinator is the stingless bee Plebeia mosquito. Trigona spinipes also contributes to pollination.

Ormond, W. T.; Pinheiro, M. C. B.; Castells, A. R. C. de 1984. Contribution to the study of the reproduction and floral biology of Jatropha gossypifolia. Contribuição ao estudo da reprodução e biologia floral de Jatropha gossypifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae). Revista Brasileira de Biologia. Vol.44, No.2, pp.159-167

6.06

No evidence of spread by vegetative means in the wild.

6.07

p.25 "Flowering has been observed to occur in plants that are only 4-6 weeks old and 15-30 cm tall (J. Vitelli, pers. comm. 1998), however, most plants start to flower at about two years of age (APB Infonote 1994)."

http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf

7.01

Probably not - no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

7.02

Probably yes - has ornamental value.

7.03

(1) Probably not - seed relatively large. 'Seeds dark gray with black specks and mottled grayish and brown, 5.5-7.3 cm long.'
(2) p.24 "Ashley (1995) and Smith (1995) stated that seeds are also dispersed in mud on the hooves of cattle and on vehicles and machinery. However, several weed control officers in Queensland have questioned the likelihood of this form of dispersal. Since seeds are relatively heavy and lack hooks or sticky secretions, dispersal as a component of small amounts of mud is unlikely to represent a significant mode of spread. Having said this, the plant is certainly spread when seeds contaminate topsoil used for lawns and gardens." [spread through sale of lawn and garden topsoil]

(1) Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.
(2) http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf

7.04

Fruit is a subglobose capsule, 3-lobed, which breaks into 3 segments at maturity. This probably suggests that the seeds are dispersed by gravity. No evidence that the seeds are winged.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

7.05

(1) p.5 "Most seeds fall close to the parent plants. However, if the plant is growing close to waterways, flowing water can disperse the plant's pods."
(2) "The seed pods float when green, and crack open when mature to distribute the seeds."
(3) The pods of bellyache bush can float, thereby facilitating long-distance dispersal of seeds along watercourses and onto flood plains.

(1) http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf
(2) Pitt, J. L. (1999) Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia ). Agnote (Darwin), 1999, No.480, No. F22, 3pp. Available at: <http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/480.pdf>
(3) http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf

7.06

p.24 "Birds are reported to feed on the seeds of bellyache bush in Western Australia (APB Infonote 1994) but it is not known to what extent this occurs in Queensland or whether seeds pass undamaged through the digestive tracts of seed-feeding birds. McAdam (pers. comm. 1998) reports that seedlings have been observed to establish upstream of parent plants growing along a watercourse. This may suggest dispersal by animals such as birds."

http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf

7.07

No evidence

7.08

it is not known to what extent this occurs in Queensland or whether seeds pass undamaged through the digestive tracts of seed-feeding birds.

http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf

8.01

(1) Probably not - seed relatively large. 'Seeds dark gray with black specks and mottled grayish and brown, 5.5-7.3 mm long.'

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

8.02

(1) AB: " Prolific seedling emergence can occur for at least four years following destruction of mature plants. There is anecdotal evidence that a small proportion of seeds remain viable for 15 years."
(2)AB: "Bellyache bush seeds were recorded across all soil depths, reaching a peak of 3.8 million seeds per hectare at 1-5 cm soil depth. "

(1) http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/psas/pdfs/Bellyache.pdf
(2) Bebawi, F. F.; Campbell, S. D. (2002) Effects of fire on germination and viability of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia ) seeds. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 2002, Vol.42, No.8, pp.1063-1069, 30 ref

8.03

AB: "Application of 0.25-1.50 kg a.i. 'Arsenal' (imazapyr)/ha gave most satisfactory control of weeds in non-crop situations such as roadsides. The higher rates gave a quick knock-down effect on some weeds and death rates were high. The lowest rate gave complete kill of most of the weeds but at a slow rate. Jatropha gossypifolia, Theprosia purpurea and Croton sparsiflorus were some of the woody and semiwoody annual weeds which were completely killed and no regeneration could be noted within 2 months of its application. "

Bhattacharya, S. P.; Ghorai, A.; Mandal, B. D. Massive eradication of some non-crop-land weeds through application of 'Arsenal'. Abstracts of papers, annual conference of Indian Society of Weed Science., unda, p.71

8.04

AB: "A study was undertaken to quantify the susceptibility of bellyache bush (J. gossypiifolia ) plants cut off using a brush-cutter at different heights above ground (0, 10, 20 and 40 cm), during either summer or winter, in Queensland, Australia [date not given]. Uncut plants acted as controls. "; " No plants survived if cut off at ground level, irrespective of season. With cutting at 10 cm, 100% mortality was still achieved during summer, but 40% of winter-cut plants survived. Thereafter, survival increased with increasing height of cutting, with plants more susceptible when actively growing in summer. Winter off-cuts that were stacked in piles were viable 12 months after cutting and a few at the bottom of the piles grew adventitious roots, despite being disconnected from any direct supply of water or nutrients. The susceptibility of bellyache bush to cutting near ground level in summer suggests that the use of tractor-mounted slashers should be investigated as a control option for treating infestations

Bebawi, F. F.; Campbell, S. D. (2002) The response of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia ) plants cut off at different heights and seasonal times. Tropical Grasslands, 2002, Vol.36, No.2, pp.65-68, 11 ref.

8.05

Don’t know.