Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

Kopsia singapurensis

RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -4

Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment
  Kopsia singaporensis (Singapore kopsia) Family - Apocynaceae Score Answer
1.01 Is the species highly domesticated? n 0
1.02 Has the species become naturalized where grown? n  
1.03 Does the species have weedy races? 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” 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)    
2.04 Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates y 1
2.05 Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?  y=-2 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
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
3.05 Congeneric weed                                                          y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2) n 0
4.01 Produces spines, thorns or burrs n 0
4.02 Allelopathic n 0
4.03 Parasitic n 0
4.04 Unpalatable to grazing animals    
4.05 Toxic to animals n 0
4.06 Host for recognized pests and pathogens n 0
4.07 Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans n 0
4.08 Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems n 0
4.09 Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle y 1
4.1 Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)    
4.11 Climbing or smothering growth habit n 0
4.12 Forms dense thickets n 0
5.01 Aquatic n 0
5.02 Grass n 0
5.03 Nitrogen fixing woody plant n 0
5.04 Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers) n 0
6.01 Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat n 0
6.02 Produces viable seed.    
6.03 Hybridizes naturally    
6.04 Self-compatible or apomictic    
6.05 Requires specialist pollinators    
6.06 Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation n -1
6.07 Minimum generative time (years)                 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1   0
7.01 Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas) n -1
7.02 Propagules dispersed intentionally by people n -1
7.03 Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant n -1
7.04 Propagules adapted to wind dispersal n -1
7.05 Propagules water dispersed    
7.06 Propagules bird dispersed y 1
7.07 Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) n -1
7.08 Propagules survive passage through the gut    
8.01 Prolific seed production (>1000/m2) n -1
8.02 Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)    
8.03 Well controlled by herbicides    
8.04 Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire    
8.05 Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)    
  Total score:   -4

Supporting data:

  Notes Reference
1.01 No evidence  
1.02 No evidence  
1.03 No evidence  
2.01 (1)The Singapore or White Kopsia is a nationally-endangered tree which grows in freshwater swamp forests. This endemic species is found only in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia.  (2)This small evergreen tree from Singapore is rarely cultivated there. (1)http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/html/webspecial/insidetrack/s4_11.html  (2)Menninger, Edwin A. 1962. Flowering Trees of the World. Hearthside Press Incorporated. New York. Pg 38
2.02    
2.03 No evidence regarding the range of growth conditions.  
2.04 The Singapore or White Kopsia is a nationally-endangered tree which grows in freshwater swamp forests. This endemic species is found only in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/html/webspecial/insidetrack/s4_11.html
2.05 K. fruticosa is in limited cultivation in Florida. Menninger, Edwin A. 1962. Flowering Trees of the World. Hearthside Press Incorporated. New York. Pg 39
3.01 No evidence  
3.02 No evidence  
3.03 No evidence  
3.04 No evidence  
3.05 No evidence  
4.01 Genus characteristics - no description of such traits. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=117237
4.02 No evidence  
4.03 No evidence  
4.04 Don’t know.  
4.05 No evidence  
4.06 No evidence regarding associated pests or pathogens.  
4.07 No evidence  
4.08 Probably not - an evergreen species that occurs in wet or damp areas(1)'The Singapore or White Kopsia is a nationally-endangered tree which grows in freshwater swamp forests. This endemic species is found only in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Here, the tree is now found in only two tiny populations in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest. In the wild, it flowers twice a year, but when cultivated, it is free-flowering if grown under the right shaded and wet conditions.'  (2)Hardy and free-flowering throughout the year in semi-shade and damp areas. (1)http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/html/webspecial/insidetrack/s4_11.html  (2)http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/media/Archives2001/The%20Straits%20Times%20Interactive%20-%20National%20Day%20Webspecial.htm
4.09 Probably yes -(1)'The Singapore or White Kopsia is a nationally-endangered tree which grows in freshwater swamp forests. This endemic species is found only in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Here, the tree is now found in only two tiny populations in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest. In the wild, it flowers twice a year, but when cultivated, it is free-flowering if grown under the right shaded and wet conditions.'  (2)Hardy and free-flowering throughout the year in semi-shade and damp areas. (1)http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/html/webspecial/insidetrack/s4_11.html  (2)http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/media/Archives2001/The%20Straits%20Times%20Interactive%20-%20National%20Day%20Webspecial.htm
4.1 No evidence regarding soil requirements.  
4.11 No evidence  
4.12 No evidence  
5.01 (1)Small tree about 8 m tall.  (2)The Singapore or White Kopsia is a nationally-endangered tree which grows in freshwater swamp forests. This endemic species is found only in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. (1)http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:qCt9KJUIgVQJ:
www.nparks.gov.sg/development/dox/guidelines/annex_11.
doc+Kopsia+singaporensis&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1  (2)http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/html/webspecial/insidetrack/s4_11.html
5.02    
5.03    
5.04    
6.01 (1)The Singapore or White Kopsia is a nationally-endangered tree which grows in freshwater swamp forests. This endemic species is found only in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Here, the tree is now found in only two tiny populations in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest. In the wild, it flowers twice a year, but when cultivated, it is free-flowering if grown under the right shaded and wet conditions. (2)This small evergreen tree from Singapore is rarely cultivated there. Corner describes it as a vigorous plant, very attractive when covered with white blossoms. It blooms twice a year with flowers 1-11/2 inches wide. In the forests of Johore there is a variety with 2-3 inch flowers, lovely to see. Th little trees are shining white patches in the forest. (1)http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/html/webspecial/insidetrack/s4_11.html  (2)Menninger, Edwin A. 1962. Flowering Trees of the World. Hearthside Press Incorporated. New York. Pg 38-39.
6.02 "The Plant Systematics Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore (NUS) has also propagated hundreds of threatened native plants, with the permission and collaboration of NParks for materials collected fromthe nature reserves and parks. Growing materials were also collected from nature areas and other wild areas of Singapore, not under NParks jurisdiction. After propagation, most saplings and seedlings were donated back to NParks for planting in the nature reserves, national parks or streetscapes. The species propagated include the following: baboon’s head (Hydnophytum formicarum), barking deer’s mango ... Singapore kopsia (Kopsia singapurensis), thorny tree vine (Leea angulata), a wildgrape (Cayratia mollissima), ... ."  [No evidence whether the materia used to propagate singapore kopsia was seed or cuttings.] http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:pJrNAPqwxm8J:
www.dbs.nus.edu.sg/staff/details/NRPGardens_Streetscapes.pdf
+%22Kopsia+singapurensis%22+seed%7Cseeds&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
6.03 Don’t know.  
6.04 No evidence regarding compatability.  
6.05 The white-petalled flowers have a red throat, reminescent of the colours of the Singapore flag, and interestingly, smell like fried bacon! [Don’t know - Endangered plant with red color throat of flower with a very distinct smell.]. http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/html/webspecial/insidetrack/s4_11.html
6.06 No evidence of spread by vegetative means.  
6.07 Don’t know - no evidence regarding growth rate.  
7.01 Probably not - no evidence that the species grows in heavily trafficked areas.  
7.02 Probably not - based on literature search does not appear to be well known horticulturally as yet.  
7.03 Probably not - no evidence that the species grows near or with produce crops. No evidence that the species is transported as cutflowers.  
7.04 Genus characteristics - 'Drupes 1 or 2, ellipsoid, 1- or 2-seeded. Seeds oblong, testa membranous, not comose.' [Based on genus characteristics - the fruit is drupe with the seeds having no special means of adaptation for wind dispersal]. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=117237
7.05 No evidence but the species is adapted to swampy areas.  
7.06 Genus characteristics - 'Drupes 1 or 2, ellipsoid, 1- or 2-seeded. Seeds oblong, testa membranous, not comose.' [Based on genus characteristics - probably yes - fruit drupe]. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=117237
7.07 Probably not - no evidence that the species propagles have any means of attachment.  
7.08 No evidence of ingestion.  
8.01 Genus characteristics - 'Drupes 1 or 2, ellipsoid, 1- or 2-seeded. Seeds oblong, testa membranous, not comose.' [Probably not - furit is 1 to 2 seeded drupe]. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=117237
8.02 No evidence regarding seed bank.  
8.03 No evidence that the species is being controlled for.  
8.04 Don’t know.  
8.05 Don’t know.  

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This page created 24 December 2006