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

Plumbago auriculata (P. capensis); cape leadwort

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

y

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

1

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

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

y

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

y

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

y

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

n

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

n

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

y

6.07

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

See left

2

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

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

y

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

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

6

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

(1)LUTEYN-J-L 1990. THE PLUMBAGINACEAE IN THE FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN USA. SIDA-Contributions-to-Botany 14 (2): 169-178. (2)Long, R. W., and O. Lakela. 1971, A flora of tropical Florida. Miami, University of Miami Press.

(1) Plumbago auriculata is widely cultivated and has become naturalized. (2)Naturalized on disturbed sites in Florida [subspontaneous in Mauritius (Baker)]

1.03

no evidence

2.01

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Plumbago+auriculata (13 June 2002)

Distributional range:
Native:
Africa: Mozambique [one specimen]; South Africa - Cape Province [e.], Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal
Other: widely cult.

2.02

2.03

http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/plumbago.cfm

USDA Zones 8B-11. Plumbago can withstand some frosts.

2.04

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Plumbago+auriculata (13 June 2002)

Distributional range:
Native:
Africa: Mozambique [one specimen]; South Africa - Cape Province [e.], Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal
Other: widely cult.

2.05

(1) USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Plumbago+auriculata (13 June 2002)
(2) Modhumita Ghosh; Manisha Thapliyal; Thangamani, D.; Yasodha, R. (2000) In-vitro antifungal activity of crude protein extracts of Plumbago capensis against Trichosporium vesiculosum . Indian Forester, 2000, Vol.126, No.6, pp.685-689, 12 ref.
(3) Nihayati, E.; Suntari, R.; Setiawan, B.; Respatijarti; Sitawati (1995) Role of potassium fertilizer and water application interval on flower number and quality of several ornamental flowering plants. [FT: Peranan pupuk kalium dan interval pemberian air terhadap jumlah bunga dan kualitas bunga beberapa jenis tanaman hias bunga.] Agrivita, 1995, Vol.18, No.2, pp.80-85, 7 ref.
(4) Monrovia Nursery (1994) Variety: 'Monott' synonym 'Royal Cape'. Application no. 92/081. Plant

(1) "widely cultivated"
(2) India, (3) Indonesia, (4) California, (5) Spain

3.01

(1)LUTEYN-J-L 1990. THE PLUMBAGINACEAE IN THE FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN USA. SIDA-Contributions-to-Botany 14 (2): 169-178. (2)Long, R. W., and O. Lakela. 1971, A flora of tropical Florida. Miami, University of Miami Press.

(1) Plumbago auriculata is widely cultivated and has become naturalized. (2)Naturalized on disturbed sites in Florida [subspontaneous in Mauritius (Baker)]

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

no evidence

3.05

Bacon, P., P.J. Terry, N. Waltham, & P.Castro S. (1997) An Electronic Atlas of World Weed and Invasive Plants. Version 1.0, 1997. A database based on the original work "A Geographical Atlas of World Weeds" by Holm et al 1979.

P. zeylanica was listed as a common weed in Indonesia.

4.01

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.508

no description of these traits

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_UW137

resistant to deer

4.05

no evidence

4.06

no evidence

4.07

no evidence

4.08

http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/cnty/cntydepts/landuse/planning/mscp/12_dplu/FireBro/fire.pdf

fire resistant

4.09

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.508 (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/plumbago.cfm (3)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/PLUAURA.PDF

(1)"full sun for best growth and flowering" (2)Full sun (3)Needing full sun for best growth

4.1

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.508 (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/plumbago.cfm (3)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/PLUAURA.PDF

(1)"various fertile soils" (2)does best in light, sandy soils with good drainage. Do not add lime to the soil; plumbago likes a slightly acidic pH (3)Soil tolerances: clay; sand; acidic; loam; slightly alkaline

4.11

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.508

"more or less vining shrub" [sprawling, not climbing]

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

shrub; Plumbaginaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

shrub

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.508

"Propagation: Seeds and cuttings."

6.03

no evidence

6.04

no evidence

6.05

(1)http://www.floridata.com/lists/featlist.cfm?request=Butterflies (2)http://homechannel.iafrica.com/sagardening/gardendesign/10435.htm

(1) Attracts butterflies (2)Attracts birds [due to dense plant growth, not flowers]

6.06

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/plumbago.htm

forms suckers and will cover fairly big areas.

6.07

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/plumbago.htm

It is fast growing [estimate based on a fast-growing shub]

7.01

no evidence

7.02

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Plumbago+auriculata (13 June 2002)

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

no evidence

7.07

(1)Rachmilevitz, T.; Joel, D. M. Ultrastructure of the calyx glands of Plumbago capensis Thunb. in relation to the process of secretion. Israel Journal of Botany, 1976, Vol.25, No.3/4, pp.127-139, 18 ref. (2)http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/plumbago.htm

AB: The resin-secreting tissue of the calyx trichomes of P. capensis forms a cap separated from the rest of the trichome by an endodermis-like region. The secreted substance occurs in the cytoplasm in the form of light osmiophilic droplets which apparently develop from electron-dense regions of the vacuole commonly forming vacuolar buds. It is assumed that the vacuolar buds develop from groups of vesicular elements occurring in the cytoplasm of young secretory cells. [sticky calyx]
(2)The seed capsule retains the stickiness which presumably helps disperse the seed by attaching to animals.The top of the capsule splits opens and drops the seed out.

7.08

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/plumbago.htm

The top of the capsule splits opens and drops the seed out. [not consumed]

8.01

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.508

" Fruit: Capsule; bun-like; 1-seeded." [only one seed per flower]

8.02

no evidence

8.03

no evidence

8.04

http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/plumbago.cfm

Plumbago should be pruned heavily to keep it neat and within bounds and to make it bushy to maximize the number of flowers. Even if killed to the ground, it usually recovers quickly.

8.05

no evidence