Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Thevetia peruviana


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 9


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.

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

Thevetia peruviana (T. neriifolia; Cascabela thevetia); Yellow Oleander

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

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

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

y

3.04

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

n=0

y

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

n

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

y

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

y

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

y

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

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

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

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

9

Supporting data:

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp.

p.215: "Native to the Neotropics; in Hawaii commmonly grown as an oramental since its introduction ca. 1900, now naturalized in distributed mesic sites on Kaua'I, O'ahu, Maui, and propbably on the other amin islands."

1.03

no evidence

2.01

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

"List of Countries with Natural Populations: Carribean, Central America, North america, Mexico, South America."--(Forestry Compendium: Geographic Dist.)

2.02

2.03

(1)http://mhbridges.www6.50megs.com/sections-n/woodies/woodies2.html (2)Little et al. Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Vol. 2. USDA, Washington DC (3)Stanley and Ross. Flora of South Eastern Queensland Vol 2. Queensland Department of Primary Industries

(1)USDA zones 9-11 (2) Dry lowlands (3)Cultivated in warmer parts of coastal districts

2.04

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

"List of Countries with Natural Populations: Carribean, Central America, North america, Mexico, South America."--(Forestry Compendium: Geographic Dist.)

2.05

USDA, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (2001) Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) webpage <http://www.hear.org/pier/phkar.htm>

Presence:
Pacific islands: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan, Tinian, Rota, volcanic Northern Marianas (Agrigan, Pagan)), Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk (Weno), Pohnpei, Kosrae (cult.), outer Caroline Islands (Ulithi)), Fiji, French Polynesia (Tahiti, Raiatea, Marquesas), Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz), Guam, Hawai‘i, Marshall Islands (Kwajalein* (cult.), Majuro (cult.)), Niue (cult.), Palau (Koror), Tonga (Tongatapu, Vava‘u, Lifuka/Foa (cult. all locations)).
*Reported present by Fosberg et al. (1979) but not seen by Whistler and Steele (1999) in their survey of the USA-leased islands.
Pacific rim: Australia, Indonesia (Timor)

3.01

(1)Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. (2)Little et al. Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Vol. 2. USDA, Washington DC

p.215: "Native to the (1)Neotropics; in Hawaii commmonly grown as an oramental since its introduction ca. 1900, now naturalized in distributed mesic sites on Kaua'I, O'ahu, Maui, and propbably on the other amin islands." (2)Naturalized in Puerto Rico (among coastal thickets)

3.02

no evidence

3.03

(1)Hiaso, J. (1996) Some harmful plants of livestock and man. Didimag Newsletter, 1996, Vol.28, No.9-12, pp.31-32, 1 ref. (2)http://www.sunzine.net/outback/desertuplands/projects/pgfive.html

(1)Brief illustrated descriptions, together with notes on origins, distribution (world wide and in Papua New Guinea), growth habits and toxicology to man and animals are presented for the following noxious weeds present in Papua New Guinea: Alternanthera pungens, Gomphrena celosio [i ]des, Nerium indicum [N. oleander ], Thevetia peruviana, Xanthium pungens, Momordica charantia and Rhododendron macgregoriae . (2)Weed of drylands, Australia

3.04

http://www.weedwarriors.co.za/Pests1.html

Category 1 invader in South Africa

3.05

no evidence

4.01

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. Page 215.

smooth tree

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

http://www.fao.org/ag/aGp/agpc/doc/Publicat/Gutt-shel/x5556e0z.htm <The Use of Forage Tree Legumes in Timor, Indonesia by A.P.Y. Djogo>

Listed as a Local species utilised as forage sources in traditional farming systems in West Timor

4.05

Tokarnia, C. H.; Armién, A. G.; Peixoto, P. V.; Barbosa, J. D.; Brito, M. F.; Döbereiner, J. (19996) Experimental study on the toxicity of some ornamental plants in cattle. [FT: Estudo experimental sobre a toxidez de algumas plantas ornamentais em bovinos.] Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, 1996, Vol.16, No.1, pp.5-20, 29 ref.

AB: Feeding experiments were performed with the following plants: Allamanda cathartica , Nerium oleander , Thevetia peruviana , Codiaeum sp., Euphorbia cotinifolia , E. pulcherrima , E. tirucalli , Datura arboreae , Colocasia antiquorum , Dieffenbachia picta [D. maculata ], Monstera deliciosa , Philodendron hastatum , P. selloum [P. bipinnatifidum ], Scindapsus aureus [Epipremnum pinnatum ], Rhododendron ledifolium , R. indicum and Malaviscus arboreus . Four of the plants were lethal: A. cathartica , N. oleander , T. peruviana and R. indicum . Severe poisoning was produced by E. pulcherrima and R. ledifolium ; moderate poisoning was caused by D. arborea , C. antiquorum and D. picta . The other plants were non-toxic or only slightly toxic. The toxic and lethal doses and the toxicology are described.

4.06

(1)http://www.spc.int/pacifly/Species_profiles/B_tryoni_hosts.htm (2)http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/212.htm

(1)host plant for QUEENSLAND FRUIT FLY (Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt)) (2) MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY

4.07

(1) Subhasish Bhattacharyya; Madhurima Lahiri; Tutul Chattopadhyay (2002) Seasonal pattern of pediatric poisoning in an agricultural belt of West Bengal. Indian Pediatrics, 2002, Vol.39, No.1, pp.102-104, 3 ref.
(2) Saravanapavananthan, N.; Ganeshamoorthy, J. (1988) Yellow oleander poisoning - a study of 170 cases. Forensic Science International, 1988, Vol.36, No.3/4, pp.247-250, 2 ref.

(1) AB: In the year 2000, cases of hydrocarbon and other toxic plant poisoning occurred in Tamluk, which is a rural agricultural belt in West Bengal, India. 50 cases were reported during January-March and 90 cases during April-December. Of the above 50 cases, 38 (76%) were due to insecticide and fungicides, 10 (20%) due to kerosene, and one (2%) each due to naphthalene and yellow oleander [Thevetia peruviana ] poisoning.
(2) AB: Thevetia peruviana is a small tree which is widely grown in gardens in India and Sri Lanka for its beautiful yellow flowers. The milky juice, fruits and seeds are poisonous; the ingestion of 8 or more seeds may cause death.

4.08

Bolton, J.1991. Firescaping. Horticulture, Vol. 69 Issue 8, p54, 6p.

fire resistant plant

4.09

(1)Cuyamaca College, Ornamental Horticulture 170. Plant Materials: Trees and Shrubs, Thevetia peruviana. Available at: <http://www.cuyamaca.net/oh170/Characteristic%20Pages/Thevetia%20peruviana.asp> (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_EP033

(1)"Exposure: Full sun" (2)Full sun

4.1

USDA, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (2001) Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) webpage <http://www.hear.org/pier/phkar.htm> [Csurhes, S. and R. Edwards. 1998. Potential environmental weeds in Australia: Candidate species for preventative control. Queensland Department of Natural Resources. p. 200.]

"Habitat/ecology: Prefers fertile, well-drained soils, but can survive on most soils (Csurhes and Edwards, 1998). "

4.11

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. Page 215.

tree

4.12

no evidence

5.01

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. Page 215.

terrestrial tree

5.02

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. Page 215.

tree, Apocynaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. Page 215.

tree

6.01

no evidence

6.02

USDA, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (2001) Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) webpage <http://www.hear.org/pier/phkar.htm>

"Propagation: Seed."

6.03

no evidence

6.04

no evidence

6.05

(1)Barrows, E. M.1980. Robbing of exotic plants by introduced carpenter and honey bees in Hawaii, with comparative notes. Biotropica 12:.23-29. (2) Rahman, M. M.; Baksha, M. W.; Sterringa, J. T. 1993. Ethological observations of the purple sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica Latham): a mistletoe-frequenting bird. Indian Forester, , Vol.119, No.5, pp.388-394

(1)flower robbed by Xylocopa sonorina and Apis mellifera without pollinating (2)bird sucks nectar of the ornamental tree Thevetia peruviana [bird-pollinated, consistent with floral morphology]

6.06

no evidence

6.07

R. Criley, UH Department of Horticulture, personal communication

7.01

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. P.215.

"fruit 2.5cm long, 4cm wide; 2-4 seed/fruit " [too big]

7.02

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp.

p.215: "Native to the Neotropics; in Hawaii commmonly grown as an oramental since its introduction ca. 1900, now naturalized in distributed mesic sites on Kaua'I, O'ahu, Maui, and propbably on the other amin islands."

7.03

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. P.215.

"fruit 2.5cm long, 4cm wide; 2-4 seed/fruit " [too big]

7.04

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. P.215.

"fruit 2.5cm long, 4cm wide; 2-4 seed/fruit " [too big]

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. P.215.

fruit juicy black drupe, [but quite large]

7.07

Pahwa, R.; Chatterjee, V. C.1990. The toxicity of yellow oleander (Thevetia neriifolia Juss) [T. peruviana ] seed kernels to rats. Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 32:561-564.

Toxic effects of yellow oleander seed kernels were evaluated against the roof rat (Rattus rattus Linn).Major signs of poisoning observed were hind limb paralysis, rolling of thebody on the long axis, circular flailing of the tail, muscular twitch, tetanic convulsions, tremors, collapse and death. Significant reduction in the rats weights were observed. The observed mortalities were 16/20 and 18/20

7.08

bird dispersal

8.01

Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. P.215.

"fruit 2.5cm long, 4cm wide; 2-4 seed/fruit " [too big]

8.02

no evidence

8.03

Siegel, B. Z.; Lasconia, M.; Yaeger, E.; Siegel, S. M. (1984) The phytotoxicity of mercury vapor. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 1984, Vol.23, No.1, pp.15-24, 38 ref.

AB: " Exposure of castor seedlings and C. blumei and Thevetia neriifolia [=T. peruviana ] cuttings to mercuric chloride vapour caused less leaf abscission but more leaf necrosis than a similar exposure to Hg vapour. "

8.04

no evidence

8.05

no evidence


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