Justicia betonica L. Family - Acanthaceae. Common Names(s) - Squirrels-tail, white shrimp-plant Synonym(s) - Nicoteba betonica (L.) Lindau.

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

y

1

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

y

3.01

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

y

2

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

3.04

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

n=0

y

4

3.05

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

n=0

y

2

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

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

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

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.10

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

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

6.07

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

See left

2 or 3

0

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

y

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

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=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

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

0

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

-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:

12

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Native to Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Zaire, Mali, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Nambia, South Africa, Swaziland, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?447236 [Cited 2009 October 30].

2.02

(1) Native to Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Zaire, Mali, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Nambia, South Africa, Swaziland, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?447236 [Cited 2009 October 30].

2.03

(1) USDA Hardiness zone: 8a-11. (2) In India Justicia betonica was collected from 950 m. (3) In the montane forest zone in the Nyazengu Nature Reserve, Zimbabwe, Justicia betonica occurred as a dense shrub layer between 1880 and 1900 m.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/82112/ [Cited 2009 October 30]. (2) http://www.ias.ac.in/jarch/procb/91b/479-486.pdf [Cited 2009 October 30]. (3) http://www.lind.org.zw/treesociety/2003/march.htm [Cited 2009 November 3].

2.04

(1) Naturalized in Southeast Queensland. (2) Native to Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Zaire, Mali, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Nambia, South Africa, Swaziland, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia

(1) http://www.saveourwaterwaysnow.com/_dbase_upl/weeds_alpha.pdf [Cited 2009 October 30] (2) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?447236 [Cited 2009 October 30].

2.05

(1) Introduced to Queensland as an ornamental. (2) Introduced to Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia Society Islands, Hawaiian Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Nauru Island.

(1) http://www.saveourwaterwaysnow.com/_dbase_upl/weeds_alpha.pdf [Cited 2009 October 30] (2) http://www.hear.org/pier/species/justicia_betonica.htm [Cited 2009 November 3].

3.01

(1) Naturalized in Southeast Queensland. (2) Often escaping cultivation in Hawaii and forming large stands on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lani, Maui and Hawaii.

(1) http://www.saveourwaterwaysnow.com/_dbase_upl/weeds_alpha.pdf [Cited 2009 October 30]. (2) Wagner, W.L., Herbst, D.R., Sohmer, S.H., 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

3.02

(1) Major weed in all the Hawaiian Islands, especially in wetter spots. A volunteer in gardens.

(1)Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

3.03

(1) Justicia betonica is a weed of Hawaii's pasturelands and natural areas [with information on how to control this species in pastures, but with no mention of how species impacts pasture yields]

(1) Motooka, Philip/Castro, Luisa/Nelson, Duane/Nagai, Guy/Ching, Lincoln. 2003. Weeds of Hawaii‘s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. 184 pp

3.04

(1) Major weed in all the Hawaiian Islands, especially in wetter spots. (2) Justicia betonica is capable of eliminating local ground cover plants along creeks and in shallow water. It can have serious effects on wildlife in the creeks. In Queensland, local groups are controlling its spread along creeks. It is not classifies as an environmental weed, but is considered to have environmental impacts if not controlled. (3) Justicia betonica is one of the most serious invasive weeds in Niue. It is being controlled when found outside cultivation and is a threat to sensitive and natural areas.

(1)Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. (2) http://www.moggillcreek.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77:weeds-local-creeks&catid=35:environmental-concerns&Itemid=72 [Cited 2009 November 3]. (3) http://www.hear.org/Pier/reports/niue_report_2004.htm#5.1%20Management%20of%20invasive%20plants%20present%20on%20Niue [Cited 2009 November 3].

3.05

(1) Justicia americana is reported to be a weed by Virginia Tech. (2) Liquid ester formulations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used to eliminate Justicia americana in experimental trials in Illinois. (3) Justicia carnea is naturalized on Maui.

(1) http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/iuiam.htm [Cited 2009 November 10]. (2) http://www.apms.org/japm/vol07/v7p11.pdf [Cited 2009 November 10].(3) Oppenheimer, Hank L. 2004. New Hawaiian plant records for 2003. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucius G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2003. Part 2: Notes. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 79:8-20.

4.01

(1) "Coarse perennial herbs 0.5-2.5 m tall; stems tinged purple, glabrous to puberulent in lines on the upper stem.  Leaves green, lower surface slightly paler, broadly ovate to elliptic, 9-22 cm long, 3.5-12 cm wide, sparsely strigillose along the margins and veins, petioles 0.5-4 cm long. Flowers in axillary and terminal spikes, each one subtended by 3 white bracts with conspicuous green veins, the large outer bract ovate, ca. 15 mm long, 10 mm wide, the inner 2 about as long, ca. 5 mm wide; calyx green, 5-lobed, the lobes narrowly lanceolate, ca. 5 mm long; corolla pale lavender with a white spot outlined with purple on the lower lip, tubular, 14-17 mm long, distinctly 2-lipped. Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent."

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

4.02

Unknown

4.03

(1) Not parasitic.

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

4.04

(1) In the Ngorongoro Crater, Justicia betonica is one of the major food plants preferred by the black rhinoceros.

(1) http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/ref_files/1196847969.pdf [Cited 2009 November 3].

4.05

(1) No evidence of toxicity in PubMed. (2) No evidence of toxicity in Toxnet.

(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez [Cited 2009 November 3]. (2) http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search [Cited 2009 November 3].

4.06

(1) Pest free. [no evidence of being a host for recognized pests or pathogens].

(1)Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

4.07

(1) Tribals of Nilgiris use Justicia betonica for skin ailments. (2) J. betonica is used as a medicinal plant by the tribals of Konda Reddis, Koyas and Valmikis of Maredumilli region, Andhra Pradesh. (3) In New Zealand, the leaves are used as a poultices for boils

(1) http://web.ebscohost.com.eres.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=106&sid=d8bf6c74-3aee-44d4-bb80-f2d67af0ce64%40sessionmgr112&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=lah&AN=20073091135#db=lah&AN=20073091135 [Cited 2009 October 30] (2) http://apps.isiknowledge.com.eres.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/full_record.do?product=
BIOABS&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=1&SID=4D8IGNI6opKlkPM1ihG&page=1&doc=4 [Cited 2009 October 30]. (3) http://www.herbdatanz.com/drugs_poisons_part2.htm [Cited 2009 November 3]

4.08

Unknown

4.09

(1) Sun to partial shade, light shade (2) Tolerates shade.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/82112/ [Cited 2009 October 30]. (2) Motooka, Philip/Castro, Luisa/Nelson, Duane/Nagai, Guy/Ching, Lincoln. 2003. Weeds of Hawaii‘s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. 184 pp

4.10

(1) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline).

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/82112/ [Cited 2009 October 30].

4.11

(1) "Coarse perennial herbs 0.5-2.5 m tall; stems tinged purple, glabrous to puberulent in lines on the upper stem.  Leaves green, lower surface slightly paler, broadly ovate to elliptic, 9-22 cm long, 3.5-12 cm wide, sparsely strigillose along the margins and veins, petioles 0.5-4 cm long. Flowers in axillary and terminal spikes, each one subtended by 3 white bracts with conspicuous green veins, the large outer bract ovate, ca. 15 mm long, 10 mm wide, the inner 2 about as long, ca. 5 mm wide; calyx green, 5-lobed, the lobes narrowly lanceolate, ca. 5 mm long; corolla pale lavender with a white spot outlined with purple on the lower lip, tubular, 14-17 mm long, distinctly 2-lipped. Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent."

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

4.12

(1) Forms dense stands in pastures and woodlands. (2) Often escapes in Hawaii and forms large stands.

(1) Motooka, Philip/Castro, Luisa/Nelson, Duane/Nagai, Guy/Ching, Lincoln. 2003. Weeds of Hawaii‘s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. 184 pp (2) Wagner, W.L., Herbst, D.R., Sohmer, S.H., 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

5.01

(1) "Coarse perennial herbs 0.5-2.5 m tall; stems tinged purple, glabrous to puberulent in lines on the upper stem.  Leaves green, lower surface slightly paler, broadly ovate to elliptic, 9-22 cm long, 3.5-12 cm wide, sparsely strigillose along the margins and veins, petioles 0.5-4 cm long. Flowers in axillary and terminal spikes, each one subtended by 3 white bracts with conspicuous green veins, the large outer bract ovate, ca. 15 mm long, 10 mm wide, the inner 2 about as long, ca. 5 mm wide; calyx green, 5-lobed, the lobes narrowly lanceolate, ca. 5 mm long; corolla pale lavender with a white spot outlined with purple on the lower lip, tubular, 14-17 mm long, distinctly 2-lipped. Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent."

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

5.02

(1) Acanthaceae.

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

5.03

(1) Acanthaceae.

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

5.04

(1) "Coarse perennial herbs 0.5-2.5 m tall; stems tinged purple, glabrous to puberulent in lines on the upper stem.  Leaves green, lower surface slightly paler, broadly ovate to elliptic, 9-22 cm long, 3.5-12 cm wide, sparsely strigillose along the margins and veins, petioles 0.5-4 cm long. Flowers in axillary and terminal spikes, each one subtended by 3 white bracts with conspicuous green veins, the large outer bract ovate, ca. 15 mm long, 10 mm wide, the inner 2 about as long, ca. 5 mm wide; calyx green, 5-lobed, the lobes narrowly lanceolate, ca. 5 mm long; corolla pale lavender with a white spot outlined with purple on the lower lip, tubular, 14-17 mm long, distinctly 2-lipped. Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent."

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

6.01

(1) In the montane forest zone in the Nyazengu Nature Reserve, Zimbabwe, Justicia betonica occurred as a dense shrub layer between 1880 and 1900 m.

(1) http://www.lind.org.zw/treesociety/2003/march.htm [Cited 2009 November 3].

6.02

(1) Propagate from seed or rootball. (2) Justicia betonica reseeds abundantly.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/82112/ [Cited 2009 October 30]. (2) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

6.03

Unknown

6.04

Unknown

6.05

(1) Justicia comata is pollinated by insects. (2) Justicia flava is pollinated by insects including bees. (3) Inflorescene of Justicia betonica. [species in this genus are insect pollinated]

(1) http://www.dartmouth.edu/~biofsp/pdf05/9.Dorarespeciesofflower.pdf [Cited 2009 November 3]. (2) http://pt-uf.pt-dlr.de/_media/Abstractband2.pdf#page=79 [Cited 2009 November 3]. (3) http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=justicia+betonica&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=&aqi= [Cited 2009 November 3].

6.06

Unknown (1) Removal of Justicia betonica is difficult because of underground stems.

(1) http://www.moggillcreek.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77:weeds-local-creeks&catid=35:environmental-concerns&Itemid=72 [Cited 2009 November 3]

6.07

(1) Fast growing. [evidence based on a fast-growing shrub]

(1)Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

7.01

(1) Justicia betonica spread in the creeks of Queensland is thought to be the result of the dumping of garden debris.

(1) http://www.moggillcreek.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77:weeds-local-creeks&catid=35:environmental-concerns&Itemid=72 [Cited 2009 November 3]

7.02

(1) Justicia betonica is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental in tropical regions. It has become naturalized in Hawaii and may be in Panama.

(1) Daniel, T.F., McDade, L.A., 1995. Additions to the Acanthaceae of Panama. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 82, 542-548.

7.03

(1) " Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent." [no evidence of produce contamination].

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

7.04

(1) " Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent." [No adaptation for wind dispersal].

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

7.05

(1) " Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent." (2) Justicia betonica spread in the creeks of Queensland is thought to be the result of the dumping of garden debris.

(1) Wagner, W.L., Herbst, D.R., Sohmer, S.H., 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. (2) http://www.moggillcreek.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77:weeds-local-creeks&catid=35:environmental-concerns&Itemid=72 [Cited 2009 November 3]

7.06

Unknown (1) " Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent."

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

7.07

(1) " Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent." [No means of external attachment].

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

7.08

Unknown (1) " Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent."

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

8.01

(1) " Capsules clavate, somewhat compressed parallel to the line of dehiscence, 2-lobed by protrusion of the seeds, 1.3-2 cm long, puberulent. Seeds 4."

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

8.02

Unknown

8.03

(1) Controlled by foliar applications of low concentrate glyphosate herbicide.

(1) Motooka, Philip/Castro, Luisa/Nelson, Duane/Nagai, Guy/Ching, Lincoln. 2003. Weeds of Hawaii‘s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. 184 pp

8.04

Unknown

8.05

Unknown