Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Prunus cerasifera


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 8


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. (cherry plum, myrobalan plum, Thundercloud cherry plum) - Synonyms: Prunus domestica myrobalan (L.). Prunus pissardii CARR - Rosaceae

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

1

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

y

1

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

y

3.01

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

y

1

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

y

2

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

1

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, 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

n

0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, 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

y

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

4

-1

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

n

-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

y

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

n

-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:

8

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

(1) This species is one of several species used In the Bach flower remedy Cherry Plum (2) widely cultivated (3) This species is widely cultivated throughout much of China for its fruit and flowers, with many horticultural varieties and forms.

(1) http://herbal-remedies-usa.ecommerce-site-search.com/?query=cherry+plum&.autodone=http%3A%2F%2Fstore.yahoo.com%2FRT%2FEDITOR.herbal-remedies-usa%2Fcgi-bin%2Fx%3FEvxbjwv4n&catalog=herbal-remedies-usa (2) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?29860 (3) http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200011156

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Native: ASIA-TEMPERATE : Afghanistan; Iran; Iraq; Turkey
Caucasus: Armenia; Azerbaijan; Georgia; Russian Federation - Ciscaucasia, Dagestan
Soviet Middle Asia: Kyrgyzstan; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan
China: China - Xinjiang
ASIA-TROPICAL:
Pakistan
EUROPE:
Southeastern Europe: Albania; Bulgaria; Greece; Yugoslavia

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?29860

2.02

(1) Native: ASIA-TEMPERATE : Afghanistan; Iran; Iraq; Turkey
Caucasus: Armenia; Azerbaijan; Georgia; Russian Federation - Ciscaucasia, Dagestan
Soviet Middle Asia: Kyrgyzstan; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan
China: China - Xinjiang
ASIA-TROPICAL:
Pakistan
EUROPE:
Southeastern Europe: Albania; Bulgaria; Greece; Yugoslavia

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?29860

2.03

(1) USDA zones 4b-9b (2) widely cultivated, naturalized elsewhere in Europe, British Isles, tropical Asia, Australia, New Zealand, & United States

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53217/ (2) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?29860

2.04

(1) naturalized tropical Asia, Australia, New Zealand

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?29860

2.05

3.01

(1) P. cerasifera is widespread in cultivation and as a relic, and is a very hardy sp. which thrives in cold, upland, interior localities as well as many warmer lowland and coastal places. It seeds freely and is fully naturalised in many temperate countries besides N.Z. (2) widely cultivated, naturalized elsewhere in Europe, British Isles, tropical Asia, Australia, New Zealand, & United States

(1) http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27&fileName=Flora%204.xml#_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27 (2) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?29860

3.02

(1) Inhibits natural generation in Yarra Bend Park Australia

(1) http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources07/07_2047.pdf

3.03

(1) Inhibits natural generation in Yarra Bend Park Australia

(1) http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources07/07_2047.pdf

3.04

(1) Inhibits natural generation in Yarra Bend Park Australia

(1) http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources07/07_2047.pdf

3.05

(1)Prunus avium, Prunus cerasus and several other Prunus species have been listed as being invasive in several states including national parks in the U.S. (2) Prunus laurocerasus is invasive in Australia. P. serotina is invasive in Central France and Eastern Mediterranean.

(1)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/list/a.htm (2)Weber, Ewald. 2003. Invasive Plant Species of the World. CABI Publishing. UK. Pages 345-347.

4.01

(1) Numerous spiny branches mainly on lower vegetative shoots.

(1) http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27&fileName=Flora%204.xml#_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

no direct evidence however the Texas Toxic Database lists 14+ species of the Prunus genus as toxic

http://texnat.tamu.edu/cmplants/toxic/plants/wildplum.html

4.06

(1) Study investigates the effects of the fungicide Fosety1-A1 and/or two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Flomus aggregatum and Glomus deserticola), against Phytophthora cinnamomi infection in Prunus cerasifera. (2) Phytophthora cinnamomi is the most widely distributed Phytophthora species, with nearly 1000 host species. The principal food crop hosts are avocados (Persea americana) and pineapples (Ananas comosus on which it causes root and heart rot.

(1) http://www.efa-dip.org/comun/publicaciones/posters/antes/1998%20Oeiras/PRUNUS%20phytoptora.pdf (2) http://www.eppo.org/QUARANTINE/fungi/Phytophthora_cinnamomi/PHYTCN_ds.pdf

4.07

no evidence

4.08

(1)Below is a partial list of potentially available fire-resistive plants; there are many other species that would fit the criteria for fire-resistiveness that are not listed here. If the species has the characteristics of a fire-resistive plant and will be properly maintained then it should work in landscaping to protect property from wildfires. [Prunus cerasifera listed among species of fire resistant plants. No evidence found that it increases fire hazard]

(1)Hulbert, J.H. 2005. Community Wildfire Protection Plan For the City of Cascade Locks. http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/docs/PREV/CascadeLocks_FirePlan_January04.pdf [Accessed 05 Sep 2008]

4.09

(1) It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.

(1) http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Prunus+cerasifera

4.10

(Grows in any soil with good drainage.

Garrett.H.1996. Howard Garrett's Plants for Texas. University of Texas Press. Austin, Tx.

4.11

(1) Deciduous shrub or small tree up to 8 m high when mature

 

4.12

(1) P. cerasiferatrees may crowd out some native trees and shrubs, they usually grow quite sparsely, and so have a lesser impact than plants that grow in dense patches.

(1) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/plant_profiles/Prunus_cerasifera.php

5.01

(1) Deciduous shrub or small tree up to 8 m high when mature

(1) http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27&fileName=Flora%204.xml#_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27

5.02

(1)Deciduous shrub or small tree up to 8 m high when mature

(1) http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27&fileName=Flora%204.xml#_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27

5.03

(1) Only four genera in the Rosaceae are able to fix nitrogen, Cercocarpus, Chamaebatia, Purshia, Dryas.

(1) http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Nitrogen-fixation

5.04

(1)Deciduous shrub or small tree up to 8 m high when mature

(1) http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27&fileName=Flora%204.xml#_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27

6.01

(1) It seeds freely and is fully naturalised in many temperate countries besides N.Z.

(1) http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27&fileName=Flora%204.xml#_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27

6.02

(1) It seeds freely and is fully naturalised in many temperate countries besides N.Z.

(1) http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27&fileName=Flora%204.xml#_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27

6.03

No information on natural hybridization. (1) The hybrid plum called 'Methley', Prunus cerasifera Ehrhart x P. salicina Lindley is the main edible plum cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands.

(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.

6.04

Probably yes - (1)"Abstract: The most commercially grown peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.] cultivars do not require cross-pollination for reasonable fruit set; however, self-incompatibility is a well-known feature within the Prunoideae subfamily. …" (2)"Abstract: About 160 different crosses of various species, cultivars and hybrids of Prunus L. were studied via fluorescence microscopy. Study of pollen growth in the pistils and of the fertilization process allowed conclusions on self- and cross compatibility of various cultivars and hybrids to be made. About 40 forms, including new cultivars of P. cerasifera ‘Vitsba’, ‘Vetraz’ and ‘Asaloda’ and P. avium ‘Gastsinets’ were used for female gametophyte investigations. The investigations on pollination process and on ovule viability permited to establish a cause of premature fruit dropping. The results let us propose good pollinators and select cultivars and hybrids with high percent of viable ovules." [Incompatability is a well-known feature of Prunoideae subfamily].

(1)Hegedus A, Szabo Z, Nyeki, J, Halasz J, Pedryc A. 2006. Molecular analysis of S-haplotypes in peach, a self-compatible Prunus species. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 131 (6) : 738-743. (2)http://www.actahort.org/members/showpdf?booknrarnr=538_65

6.05

(1) Flowers are bee pollinated.

(1) http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Prunus+cerasifera

6.06

(1) It seeds freely and is fully naturalised in many temperate countries.

(1) http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27&fileName=Flora%204.xml#_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27

6.07

(1) Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate. (2) Deciduous shrub or small tree up to 8 m high when mature.

(1) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Prunus+cerasifera (2) http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_19304652-420c-4be0-8139-e2604290ce27&fileName=Flora%204.xml

7.01

(1) P. cerasifera's yellow to dark red fruits are distributed widely by people, birds, raccoons, and other wildlife. (2) Fruit round, 1-3 inches in length, fleshy

(1) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/plant_profiles/Prunus_cerasifera.php (2) http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/PRUCERC.pdf

7.02

(1) P. cerasifera's yellow to dark red fruits are distributed widely by people, birds, raccoons, and other wildlife.

(1) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/plant_profiles/Prunus_cerasifera.php

7.03

No evidence (large seeds unlikely to be dispersed as a produce contaminant)

 

7.04

(1) Fruit: round, 1-3 Inches in length, fleshy

(1) http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/PRUCERC.pdf

7.05

(1) P. cerasifera's yellow to dark red fruits are distributed widely by people, birds, raccoons, and other wildlife.

(1) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/plant_profiles/Prunus_cerasifera.php

7.06

(1) P. cerasifera's yellow to dark red fruits are distributed widely by people, birds, raccoons, and other wildlife.

(1) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/plant_profiles/Prunus_cerasifera.php

7.07

(1) P. cerasifera's yellow to dark red fruits are distributed widely by people, birds, raccoons, and other wildlife.

(1) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/plant_profiles/Prunus_cerasifera.php

7.08

(1) P. cerasifera's yellow to dark red fruits are distributed widely by people, birds, raccoons, and other wildlife.

(1) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/plant_profiles/Prunus_cerasifera.php

8.01

Probably not - in the genus Prunus the fruit is generally a drupe - which are relatively large type of seeds.

 

8.02

no evidence regarding seed bank

 

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled by herbicides

 

8.04

unknown

8.05

unknown


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