Mimusops caffra E.Mey. ex. A.DC. Family - Sapotaceae. Common Name(s) - coastal red milkwood; kusrooimelkboom, moepel; umHayihayi amaSethole-abomvu, umThunzi, umNweba waselwandle, umNole, uMagayi, umKhakhayi, umHlophe Synonym(s) - Kaukenia caffra, Mimusops revoluta

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01)

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

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)

n

0

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

y

3.01

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

n

-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

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

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y

1

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

n

0

4.10

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.

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

n

0

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

11+

-1

7.01

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

n

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y

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

y

1

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

y

1

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

y

1

8.05

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

Total score:

-1

Notes

Reference

1.01

No, this species has not been in cultivation for at least 20 generations nor has it diverged from wild varieties.

1.02

Answer not scored because conditions for scoring (1.01 must = y) were not met

1.03

Answer not scored because conditions for scoring (1.01 must = y) were not met

2.01

(1)"Mimusops L. Three South African species belong to this almost entirely African genus of 30 to 40 species … The South African species occur from the eastern Cape to the Transvaal and are often abundant and conspicuous. Mimusops caffra E. Mey. Ex DC. Is indeed one of the commonest trees along the coast from the Kowie to Lourenco Marques, and as this and the other two species bear bright-coloured edible fruits they are widely known by their common if not by their botanical names." (2)"Range S. Africa, from Natal to the Cape Prov" (3)"Its natural habitat is dune forest from the high tide mark in KwaZulu-Natal and the former Transkei region. It is also found in Mozambique . This tree is common from Port Alfred and Bathurst in Eastern Cape to Maputo in Mozambique . It forms up to 75% of the coastal and dune forest and flourishes even within reach of the salty sea sprays. It is found in abundance in Durban as it grows along coastal roads to the north and south." (4)The following herbarium specimens have been collected in Hawaii: "Hawaiian Islands Oahu Honolulu: Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, Hawaiian Islands Oahu Honolulu, downtown area, Hawaiian Islands Oahu Triangle at intersection of King and Liliha streets" (5)"The tree is occasionally grown as an ornamental in South Florida, probably because of its salt tolerance, and is offered by a few wholesale nurseries."

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pages (2)Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Flora Zambesiaca eFloras Webpage. Accessed 2008. http://apps.kew.org/efloras/search.do?reset=true (3)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/ (4)The Pacific Basin Information Node of the U.S. Geological Survey. Webpage: Botanical database. Accessed 2008. http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/natscidb/default.asp?w=PBIN&pt=t (5)Weaver, R.E. and P.J. Anderson.2004. Botany Section. Tri-ology 43(6): 1-10

2.02

Native range is well known

2.03

The tree is restricted to low elevation tropics (1).

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1961. Trees of South Africa. A.A. Balkema, Amsterdam, Cape Town. 332 pages

2.04

(1)"Mimusops L. Three South African species belong to this almost entirely African genus of 30 to 40 species … The South African species occur from the eastern Cape to the Transvaal and are often abundant and conspicuous. Mimusops caffra E. Mey. Ex DC. Is indeed one of the commonest trees along the coast from the Kowie to Lourenco Marques, and as this and the other two species bear bright-coloured edible fruits they are widely known by their common if not by their botanical names." (2)"Range S. Africa, from Natal to the Cape Prov"

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pages (2)Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Flora Zambesiaca eFloras Webpage. Accessed 2008. http://apps.kew.org/efloras/search.do?reset=true (3)South African National Biodiversity Institute

2.05

Yes. Young plants and seed are avilable for purchase on the internet from growers. (1)"Mimusops caffra is planted in South Africa and the United States as an ornamental tree"

(1)Lemmens, R.H.M.J. 2005. Mimusops caffra E.Mey. ex A.DC. In: Louppe, D. (Editors). Prota 7: Timbers/Bois d’oeuvre. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands

3.01

No evidence of naturalization outside of its native range in Southern Africa (1)

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pages

3.02

No. Tree is slow growing and protected in its native range (1)"Conservation Status Mimusops caffra is protected in terms of the National Forest Act of 1998. Protected tree species may not be cut, disturbed, damaged or destroyed, and their products may not be possessed, collected, removed, transported, exported, donated, purchased or sold, except under license granted by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry or a delegated authority."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

3.03

No. Tree is slow growing and protected in its native range (1)"Conservation Status Mimusops caffra is protected in terms of the National Forest Act of 1998. Protected tree species may not be cut, disturbed, damaged or destroyed, and their products may not be possessed, collected, removed, transported, exported, donated, purchased or sold, except under license granted by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry or a delegated authority."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

3.04

No. Tree is slow growing and protected in its native range (1)"Conservation Status Mimusops caffra is protected in terms of the National Forest Act of 1998. Protected tree species may not be cut, disturbed, damaged or destroyed, and their products may not be possessed, collected, removed, transported, exported, donated, purchased or sold, except under license granted by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry or a delegated authority."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

3.05

No evidence of congeneric weeds in botanical literature.

4.01

No. See the following description: (1)"Mimusops caffra is a small to medium-sized tree up to 15 m high. In an exposed habitat it forms a shrub. The bark is dark grey, thin and wrinkled longitudinally. The young stems are densely covered with long, rust-coloured hairs. The wood is reddish, closely grained, heavy, hard, strong and elastic."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

4.02

No evidence

4.03

Genus Mimusops does not appear on the parastic plant list (1)

(1)USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Staff. 2008. Parasitic Plant Genera List

4.04

Unknown. It should be noted, however, that the sap is milky and (1)"[t]he bark is used in traditional medicine to treat wounds and sores". This suggests that it may be either avoided or toxic to animals.

(1)Lemmens, R.H.M.J. 2005. Mimusops caffra E.Mey. ex A.DC. In: Louppe, D. (Editors). Prota 7: Timbers/Bois d’oeuvre. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands

4.05

Unknown. It should be noted, however, that the sap is milky and (1)"[t]he bark is used in traditional medicine to treat wounds and sores". This suggests that it may be either avoided or toxic to animals.

(1)Lemmens, R.H.M.J. 2005. Mimusops caffra E.Mey. ex A.DC. In: Louppe, D. (Editors). Prota 7: Timbers/Bois d’oeuvre. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands

4.06

(1)The Mediterranean fruit fly, or medfly, Ceratitis capitata, is among the most important pests of cultivated fruits … Medflies were reared from fruits of 55 species of plants, 51 of them indigenous [Mimusops caffra appears in a table of these species]; 46 of these species represent previously unknown hosts in Africa" In addition, M. caffra appears in a table noting its country of orign (South Africa) under the caption "Countries with medfly positive samples"

(1)Copeland, R.S., R.A. Wharton, Q. Luke, and M. De Meyer. 2002. Indigenous Hosts of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera:Tephritidae) in Kenya. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 95(6): 672-694

4.07

No evidence

4.08

(1)"Fire also has a significant effect on the vegetation. Burning areas of the vegetation, with the aim of maintaining the balance between woody and grassy elements, is considered an essential tool by reserve managers. However, the forests in the area, even the dry sand forests, do not seem to burn, except in exceptional circumstances, and it seems unlikely that fire forms an important part of the natural disturbance regime of these ecosystems … Dense forests of varying height occur on and along the coastal dunes. Mimusops caffra, Euclea natalensis, and Diospyros rotundifolia form short forests or thickets on the seaward side of the dunes. With some protection from the salt wind more diverse forests develop with canopies as tall as 30 m."

(1)World Wildlife Fund Staff. 2008. WWF Full Report: Maputaland coastal forest mosaic (AT0119). Peer review in process. Unpublished document, available one-line. http://www.wwfus.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at0119_full.html

4.09

(1)"It can be planted in full sun and is ideal for coastal areas." (2)"Full sun. Ideal for coastal areas"

(1)Lemmens, R.H.M.J. 2005. Mimusops caffra E.Mey. ex A.DC. In: Louppe, D. (Editors). Prota 7: Timbers/Bois d’oeuvre. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands (2)Wepage: Gardening Eden. Accessed 2008. http://www.gardeningeden.co.za/plants.html

4.10

Unknown

4.11

No, see following growth habit description: (1)"Shrub or small to medium-sized tree up to 15(–20) m tall, containing latex; bole up to 50 cm in diameter, often gnarled or twisted; bark thin, wrinkled longitudinally, dark grey; young branches densely pubescent."

(1)Lemmens, R.H.M.J. 2005. Mimusops caffra E.Mey. ex A.DC. In: Louppe, D. (Editors). Prota 7: Timbers/Bois d’oeuvre. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands

4.12

No evidence

5.01

No. See following description:(1)"Mimusops caffra is a small to medium-sized tree up to 15 m high. In an exposed habitat it forms a shrub. The bark is dark grey, thin and wrinkled longitudinally. The young stems are densely covered with long, rust coloured hairs. The wood is reddish, closely grained, heavy, hard, strong and elastic."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

5.02

No. Genus is not in the family Poaceae (1)

(1)Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database. Accessed 2008. http://www.itis.gov/

5.03

No evidence

5.04

(1)"Propagation of Mimusops caffra is by seed."

(1)Lemmens, R.H.M.J. 2005. Mimusops caffra E.Mey. ex A.DC. In: Louppe, D. (Editors). Prota 7:Timbers/Bois d’oeuvre. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands

6.01

(1)"From Port Alfred and Bathurst to Lourenco Marques, this is one of the most common coastal trees forming a large proportion - up to 75% in parts - of coastal and dune forest and flourishing even within reach of the salt spray. It is a tree well known to Durban residents for it grows in numbers along the coast roads north and south, and is the dominant tree, for example, at LaLucia … Certainly the tree grows readily in the wild. Monkeys, in particular, spread the seed, which is buoyant and is often washed up along the shores of Zululand and Natal"

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pages

6.02

(1)Certainly the tree grows readily in the wild. Monkeys, in particular, spread the seed, which is buoyant and is often washed up along the shores of Zululand and Natal

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pages

6.03

Unknown

6.04

Unknown

6.05

Unlikely, based on its native range where it is a dominant component (up to 75%) of coastal sand dune and inland forest vegetation. It is noted (1)"Certainly the tree grows readily in the wild."

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pages

6.06

No, although cuttings, once treated with hormones may sprout. (1)"Mimusops caffra is grown from seed. The best time to sow seed is in summer. Treat the seed with fungicide before sowing to prevent damping off. It is also grown from cuttings. Dip cuttings in a rooting hormone. Use fine bark with polystyrene as the growing medium. Put the cutting in a mist unit with under-heating. It will take four to six weeks for roots to develop. After rooting, the cuttings should be removed to harden off and then potted into bags."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

6.07

(1)"[maturity reached in] 11 to 16 years"

(1)J.A. Cooke and M.S. Johnson. 2002. Ecological restoration of land with particular reference to the mining of metals and industrial minerals: A review of theory and practice. Environ. Rev. 10: 41–71

7.01

Fruits and seeds are large and conspicuous and, thus, unlikely to be transported by accident. They do not have hooks to attach to a potential disperser. Fruits measure 20 × 15 mm with a single seed 15 × 10mm (1).

(1)Tsvuura, Z., M.E. Griffiths, and M.J. Lawes. 2007. The Effect of Herbaceous Understory Cover on Fruit Removal and Seedling Survival in Coastal Dune Forest Trees in South Africa. Biotropica 39(3): 428–432

7.02

Plant and seeds are sold for landscaping. The following description highlights the qualities that lead people to plant this species: (1)"A lovely evergreen for exposed maritime conditions, being a common part of dune forests along the eastern seaboard. Leaves are obovate, rigid and leathery, blue-green above and paler below. Star-like cream flowers about 10 mm across are produced during spring and summer, followed by fleshy, ovoid fruits which turn red when ripe. Pleasantly sweet, they are enjoyed by both man and birds. Frost sensitive" (2)"The tree is occasionally grown as an ornamental in South Florida, probably because of its salt tolerance, and is offered by a few wholesale nurseries."

(1)Sheat, B. and G. Schofield. 1995. Complete Gardening in Southern Africa. Struik Publishers 488 pages (2)Weaver, R.E. and P.J. Anderson.2004. Botany Section. Tri-ology 43(6): 1-10

7.03

Fruits and seeds are large and conspicuous and, thus, unlikely to be transported by accident. Fruits measure 20 × 15 mm with a single seed 15 × 10mm (1)

(1)Tsvuura, Z., M.E. Griffiths, and M.J. Lawes. 2007. The Effect of Herbaceous Understory Cover on Fruit Removal and Seedling Survival in Coastal Dune Forest Trees in South Africa. Biotropica 39(3): 428–432

7.04

No. Fruit is fleshy, see following description (1)"The fruits are about 1.5-2 cm long and are fat, roundish to oval … They are red or orange-red when ripe … with a sweet starchy pulp and contain 1 oval, shiny brown or blackish seed. They are edible with an agreeable flavour and are the staple food of monkeys along the coast of Natal and Zululand. Cape Parrots in the coastal forests of the eastern Cape are particularily fond of them, as are other species such as Black-bellied Glossy Starlings and Yellow-streaked Bulbuls, while bushpigs also devour them."

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pages

7.05

(1)"The seeds are dispersed by water and probably also by fruit-eating animals." (2)"The seeds are dispersed by water and are often washed up in quantities on the beaches."

(1)Lemmens, R.H.M.J. 2005. Mimusops caffra E.Mey. ex A.DC. In: Louppe, D. (Editors). Prota 7: Timbers/Bois d’oeuvre. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands (2)Palgrave, M.C. 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. C. Struik Publishers Cape Town Johannesburg. 959 Pages

7.06

(1)[Mimusops caffra] appears in a "List of food trees for Cape Parrots" Although no explicit statements of bird dispersal were found. Guidelines for answering WRA questions state (2)"Where there is no information on dispersal, assume ‘yes’ for fruits that are < 30 mm in diameter." Since these fruits are <30 mm and the seed approx 15 mm (see comments section of Question 7.03 this document for reference) it is assumed to be dispersed by birds. (3)"The fruits are about 1.5-2 cm long and are fat, roundish to oval … They are red or orange-red when ripe … with a sweet starchy pulp and contain 1 oval, shiny brown or blackish seed. They are edible with an agreeable flavour and are the staple food of monkeys along the coast of Natal and Zululand. Cape Parrots in the coastal forests of the eastern Cape are particularily fond of them, as are other species such as Black-bellied Glossy Starlings and Yellow-streaked Bulbuls, while bushpigs also devour them."

(1)Henderson, C.L. and C.T. Downs. 2006. Working with factors affecting the natural forest habitat of the Cape Parrot (2)International WRA Workshop attendees. 2007. International WRA Workshop 2007 Protocol: Guidance for answering the Australian Weed Risk Assessment questions. Unpublished meeting notes. (3)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pages

7.07

Seeds/fruits have no hooks or barbs for attachment to a potential disperser (1)

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, CapeTown, South Africa. 2235 pages

7.08

(1)"They are edible with an agreeable flavour and are the staple food of monkeys along the coast of Natal and Zululand. Cape Parrots in the coastal forests of the eastern Cape are particularily fond of them, as are other species such as Black-bellied Glossy Starlings and Yellow-streaked Bulbuls, while bushpigs also devour them." (2)"The red or orange-red fruits are the staple food of the monkeys along the coastal forests of KwaZulu-Natal . Cape parrots in the coastal forests of the Eastern Cape are also fond of the fruit. Blackbellied glossy starlings, Yellowstreaked bulbuls and bushpigs also eat the fruit. Monkeys in particular spread the seed."

(1)Palmer, E. and N. Pitman. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. Published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pages (2)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

8.01

Unlikely each fruit contains only one seed. (1)"Two to four 20 mm white star-like flowers with eight narrow petals are born in the leaf axils. The flowers mature into red, 2 cm long, edible berries which are important food for monkeys and many kinds of birds." Considering that the growth form is shurb0like under many conditions, it is unlikely seed production surpasses 1000/m2

(1)Weaver, R.E. and P.J. Anderson.2004. Botany Section. Tri-ology 43(6): 1-10

8.02

Unkown

8.03

Unkown

8.04

(1)"Mimusops caffra occurs in coastal thickets on sand dunes, where it rarely exceeds 5 m tall and where its foliage suffers under salt spray and sea winds. It may be dominant in sheltered coastal forest behind the littoral zone, where it can reach 20 m in height" (2)When growing on a slope, sometimes able to resprout when soil is disturbed (3)"[tolerant of] wind and moderate drought, once established"

(1)Lemmens, R.H.M.J. 2005. Mimusops caffra E.Mey. ex A.DC. In: Louppe, D. (Editors). Prota 7: Timbers/Bois d’oeuvre. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands (2)Nzunda, E.F., M.E. Griffiths and M.J. Lawes. 2007. Resprouting versus turning up of leaning trees in a subtropical coastal dune forest in South Africa. Journal of Tropical Ecology 23:289–296 (3)Wepage: Gardening Eden. Accessed 2008. http://www.gardeningeden.co.za/plants.html

8.05

Unknown