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

Lophostemon confertus (Tristania conferta, Brisbane box, brush box)

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

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

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

n

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

n

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

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

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

y

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

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

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

y

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

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

n

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

n

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=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:

-3

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1)"becoming naturalized" in Hawaii (??) (2)Indicates "naturalized" in Hawaii, California, BC but uses this term simply to mean "planted" not naturally reproducing. [e.g. It is NOT naturalized in California -- not listed in Jepson manual]

(1)Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2)wpsm.net/Lophestemon.pdf

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1) Its natural distribution is in the warm humid and warm sub-humid climatic zones of Australia. (2) Native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. (3)rainforest margins and eucalypt forests along the coast and tablelands of New South Wales and Queensland.

(1) CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (3)http://people.hws.edu/fieldguide/show.asp?ID=125

2.02

2.03

(1)Altitude range: 0 - 800 m
Approximate limits north to south: 16°S to 33°S (2)in wet schlerophyll forest

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.australiaplants.com/Lophostemon_confertus.htm

2.04

Its natural distribution is in the warm humid and warm sub-humid climatic zones of Australia.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.05

It has been planted worldwide and is a popular species grown as a shade tree in parks, city streets and on farms.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

3.01

(1)"becoming naturalized" in Hawaii (??) (2)Indicates "naturalized" in Hawaii, California, BC but uses this term simply to mean "planted" not naturally reproducing. [e.g. It is NOT naturalized in California -- not listed in Jepson manual]

(1)Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2)wpsm.net/Lophestemon.pdf

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

No information

4.05

No information

4.06

Insect pests: Xylosandrus compactus (a generalist).

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.07

No evidence

4.08

unlikely -- a single trunked tree

4.09

(1) 'It will grow best in a sunny situation that favors development of its bushy crown, but it will also grow in shade.' (2) sun (3)Placement: Sun

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.toowoomba.qld.gov.au/Planning/Pdf/psp2.pdf (3)http://www.australiaplants.com/Lophostemon_confertus.htm

4.1

(1) 'Best development is on heavy, fertile soils, especially alluvials, but this species is also tolerant of poor sandy soils and shallow stony clays…. and tolerant of a wide range of soils and climates.' (2)Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.brim.vic.gov.au/Environment/landscape/PracticeNote5.pdf

4.11

No evidence - not a vine.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

L. confertus is usually a tall tree to 35-40 m and 1-2 m in diameter in the family Myrtaceae.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

5.02

5.03

The box brush has the ability to carry nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the roots, therefore it is often introduced to parks and other regions where it does not naturally occur because of this ability to improve soil fertility.

http://people.hws.edu/fieldguide/show.asp?ID=125

5.04

6.01

'Synchronized flowering was greatest in L. confertus… .'

Law, B. Mackowski, C. Schoer, L. and Tweedie, T. 2000. Flowering phenology of myrtaceous trees and their relationship to climate, environmental and disturbance variables in northern New South Wales. Austral ecology. 25(2): 160-178.

6.02

Propagation by seed.

http://www.hear.org/pier3/locon.htm

6.03

No information

6.04

No information

6.05

(1)typical, white myrtaceae flower (2)Source of honey for honeybees

(1)Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2)Stanley and Ross. Flora of southeastern Queensland Volume 2. Queensland Department of Primary Industries

6.06

Propagation by seed.

http://www.hear.org/pier3/locon.htm

6.07

Seeds are produced moderately well at 15 to 20 years of age

http://wpsm.net/Lophestemon.pdf

7.01

Probably not - the propagules do not 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

forestry, street tree

7.03

Probably not - seeds relatively large - 2-3 mm long.

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

7.04

Once the capsules are dry, simple agitation will separate the seeds from the capsules.

http://wpsm.net/Lophestemon.pdf

7.05

possibly - sometimes grows along creek lines

http://www.brec.ozecol.org/news/current/WHPMREC2.html

7.06

woody capsules

http://people.hws.edu/fieldguide/show.asp?ID=125

7.07

woody capsules

http://people.hws.edu/fieldguide/show.asp?ID=125

7.08

no evidence of consumption

8.01

Capsules turbinate to hemispherical, 10-15 mm in diameter. Seeds 2-3 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

Brushbox is not dormant and no pregermination treatments are necessary for timely germination.

http://wpsm.net/Lophestemon.pdf

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

(1)Native Lophostemon forest threatened by fire (2)can be pollarded if necessary (heavy pruning to main trunk)

(1)http://www.brec.ozecol.org/news/current/WHPMREC2.html (2)http://ozdiversity.com/plants/lophostemon.html

8.05

Don’t know.