Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Medinilla cummingii


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Evaluate, score: 6


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment
Medinilla cummingii Naudin. Family -  Melastomataceae. Common Names - medinilla, Chandelier Tree.

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

n

0

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

n

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

n

0

3.03

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

n=0

n

0

3.04

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

n=0

n

0

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

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

n

0

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

n

0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

0

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

n

-1

6.07

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

See left

7.01

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

y=1, n=-1

n

-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

y

1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

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

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:

6

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Country of Origin: Phillipines

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

2.02

(1)Country of Origin: Phillipines

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

2.03

(1)USDA Zone: 10b-11 (2)Hardy to 35 F. (3)"The similar Medinilla cumingii is a good substitute and hardier" (than M.magnifica). (4)"in mossy forest at 700-1000 m altitude"

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114739/ (2)http://www.kartuz.com/p/52156/Medinilla+cumingii.html (3)http://www.kartuz.com/pc/52155/7RFPK/Medinilla+magnifica.html (4)Regalado, J. C., Jr. 1995. Revision of the Philippines Medinilla (Melastomataceae). Blumea 40(1).

2.04

(1)Country of Origin: Phillipines (2)MAUI: East Maui, Häna Distr, vicinity Wai‘oni Gulch, 274 m, naturalized, mostly epiphytic (to 20 ft [6 m] high) on mossy, alien tree species near Häna Hwy, 22 Jun 2002,

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI. (2)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.

2.05

(1) Medinilla magnifica is the only species grown as a houseplant. [records found mainly from Botanical Gardens]

(1) http://www.gflora.com/index.php?cmd=genus_body&genus_id=289 [30 Nov 2007]

3.01

(1)Naturalized on Oahu (2)MAUI: East Maui, Häna Distr, vicinity Wai‘oni Gulch, 274 m, naturalized

(1)Daehler, Curtis C./Baker, Raymond F. 2006. New records of naturalized and naturalizing plants around Lyon Arboretum, Mānoa Valley, O‘ahu. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Elddredge, Lucias G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2004-2005. Part 1: Articles. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 87:3-18. (2)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.

3.02

(1) Listed as a cultivation escape, but no evidence of impacts or control.

(1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/medinilla_cumingii/ [30 Nov 2007]

3.03

(1) Not listed as Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed

(1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/medinilla_cumingii/ [30 Nov 2007]

3.04

(1) Listed as a n environmental weed, but no evidence of impacts or control

(1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/medinilla_cumingii/ [30 Nov 2007]

3.05

(1)Medinilla venosa is listed as a noxious weed of Hawaii

(1)http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=15

4.01

No evidence

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/medinilla_cummingii.htm

4.02

No evidence

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/medinilla_cummingii.htm

4.03

No evidence

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/medinilla_cummingii.htm

4.04

No information

4.05

(1) None of the M. possess poisonous properties; some are used in dyeing; the gratefully acid leaves of some are cooked and eaten - particularly those of species Medinilla.

(1) 1860. Chambers's encyclopaedia; a dictionary of universal knowledge for the people. New York, Appleton.

4.06

(1)No evidence, although pathogens have been recorded on M. magnifica. (2)Medinilla magnifica (no common name)-- Acremonium sp., wilt: Collected at a nursery in Homestead, Dade County (28 April 1994, C. Lichkai and H. von Wald, P94-1791). NEW HOST RECORD.

(1)Pennisi, A. M.; Cacciola, S. O.; Raudino, F.; Pane, A. 2002. First report of Botrytis blight on Medinilla magnifica and various species of Mandevilla and Allamanda in Italy.Plant Disease 86 (10) : 1175 (2)http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/94-5&6all.htm

4.07

No evidence

4.08

(1)Habitat/ecology:  Moist and wet forests at low elevations

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/medinilla_cummingii.htm

4.09

(1)Sun Exposure: Light Shade [not much info available but it is a rainforest epiphyte so it is likely to be capable of growing in shade]

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114739/

4.1

(1)Grow in soil that is relatively fertile in sun or shade. Soil Range: Some Sand to Sandy Loam [epiphyte]

(1)http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_1cd8.html

4.11

Not a climber- an epiphytic shrub

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/species/medinilla_cummingii.htm

4.12

No evidence

5.01

(1)"Epiphytic or terrestrial shrubs or scramblers".

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

5.02

(1) Melastomataceae

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

5.03

Melastomaceae

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

5.04

(1)"Epiphytic or terrestrial shrubs or scramblers".

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1)Indirect evidence. Frugivorous birds are undoubtedly dispersing the small, fleshy, purple fruit. (2)Seedlings have been known to sprout epiphytically on trees near parent plantings at Lyon Arboretum.

(1)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. (2)Oahu Invasive Species Committee.http://www.hear.org/oisc/pdfs/20020814oiscmeetingminutes.pdf

6.03

Don't know

6.04

No evidence

6.05

Other members of genus do not require specialist pollinators. (1) The flowers are "magnificent" (showy) when seen but do not produce nectar. They are "buzz" pollinated by bees gathering pollen. (2) Buzz pollination is common, however, some taxa have nectariferous anther connectives, or nectar is produced on the corolla (Medinilla) or even on the top of the ovary (some Miconia), and in these cases the contorted petals form a tube, rather than spreading widely as is common in the family and there is bird pollination (Vogel 1997; Varassin et al. 2007: for nectariferous taxa, see also Renner 1989).

(1) http://www.botany.wisc.edu/greenhouse/Roomthree-Me.html [30 Nov 2007] (2) http://www.mobot.org/mobot/research/APweb/orders/myrtalesweb2.htm [30 Nov 2007]

6.06

(1)Propagation Methods: From semi-hardwood cuttings [propagation by cuttings is not natural reproduction]

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114739/

6.07

Don't know

7.01

(1)"Epiphytic or terrestrial shrubs or scramblers".

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

7.02

(1)Medinilla cummingii is grown as an ornamental. (2)sometimes cultivated in Hawaii

(1)http://www.kartuz.com/p/52156/Medinilla+cumingii.html (2)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

7.03

Probably yes, the seeds are deposited on tree fern trunks. Other Medinilla have been spread on tree fern logs which are sold for orchid growers.

7.04

(1)"The small dark fruit is eaten by birds, containing many dozens of small seed per fruit."

(1)Oahu Invasive Species Committee.http://www.hear.org/oisc/pdfs/20020814oiscmeetingminutes.pdf

7.05

Plant grows in very wet rainforest habitats; some movement of berries/seeds with water is possible

7.06

(1)"The small dark fruit is eaten by birds, containing many dozens of small seed per fruit." (2)Frugivorous birds are undoubtedly dispersing the small, fleshy, purple fruit.

(1)Oahu Invasive Species Committee.http://www.hear.org/oisc/pdfs/20020814oiscmeetingminutes.pdf (2)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.

7.07

No means of attachment

7.08

(1)Indirect evidence. Frugivorous birds are undoubtedly dispersing the small, fleshy, purple fruit. (2)Seedlings have been known to sprout epiphytically on trees near parent plantings at Lyon Arboretum.

(1)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. (2)Oahu Invasive Species Committee.http://www.hear.org/oisc/pdfs/20020814oiscmeetingminutes.pdf

8.01

(1) Berry 4-6 celled [genus trait] (2)Dispersal capabilities are probably comparable to Miconia [calvescens] and 100,000 of seeds are produced per flowering event.

(1)Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the Flowering plants of Hawaii (2)Oahu Invasive Species Committee.http://www.hear.org/oisc/pdfs/20020814oiscmeetingminutes.pdf

8.02

Don't know. No information regarding seed bank.[probably lacks dormancy; a wetforest epiphyte]

8.03

Don't know.

8.04

[probably not; weak epiphytic roots]

8.05

Don't know.


Need more info? Have questions? Comments? Information to contribute? Contact PIER!


[ Return to PIER homepage ] [Risk assessment page]


This page created 29 February 2008