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

Tibouchina urvilleana (DC.) Cogn.; Lasiandra urvilleana; Tibouchina semidecandra (hort) glory bush, lasiandra, princess-flower

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

n

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

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

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

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

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

y

4.1

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

y=1, n=0

n

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

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

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

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

7.01

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

y=1, n=-1

y

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

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

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

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

y

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:

10

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidcence

1.02

(1)"It is cultivated in southern parts of the United States, Hawai'i, and elsewhere in the Pacific. In Hawai'i, T. urvilleana was first collected on the island of Hawai'i in 1917 and is now naturalized on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui, and Hawai'i " (2)Minor escape from cultivation in New Zealand; vegetative, no seeds

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm (2)Webb et al. 1988. Flora of New Zealand. Volume IV. Botany Division DSIR, Christchurch.

1.03

no evidcence

2.01

Distributional range:
Native:
SOUTHERN AMERICA
Brazil: Brazil - Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database].
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Tibouchina+urvilleana (10 May 2004)

2.02

2.03

(1)T. urvilleana forms dense thickets in moist areas of Hawai'i from 200-1,700 m (656-5,577 ft) elevation [lower elevation plants are generally cultivated] (2)Native range specimens 1500-2500 m elevation (3)Cultivated chiefly in the mountains 1000-1400 m [restricted to wet habitats, high elevation]

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm (2)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast (3)Adams, C.D. 1970. Flowering plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona.

2.04

Distributional range:
Native:
SOUTHERN AMERICA
Brazil: Brazil - Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database].
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Tibouchina+urvilleana (10 May 2004)

2.05

(1)It is cultivated in southern parts of the United States, Hawai'i, and elsewhere in the Pacific. PIER (2003) reports the following areas where T. urvilleana is present: Cook Islands (Rorotonga (cult.)), Hawai'i, Kermadec Islands (Raoul, remains of cult.), and Samoa (Upolu (remnant of cult.)). (2)Florida

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/T/tib.cfm

3.01

(1)"It is cultivated in southern parts of the United States, Hawai'i, and elsewhere in the Pacific. In Hawai'i, T. urvilleana was first collected on the island of Hawai'i in 1917 and is now naturalized on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui, and Hawai'i " (2)Minor escape from cultivation in New Zealand; vegetative, no seeds

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm (2)Webb et al. 1988. Flora of New Zealand. Volume IV. Botany Division DSIR, Christchurch.

3.02

no evidcence

3.03

no evidcence

3.04

(1)T. urvilleana is known to form thickets in wet areas of Hawai'i from 200-1,700 m (2)This semi-deciduous shrub reaches heights of 4 m. It forms thickets in wet habitats...There is a major infestation in Volcano, Hawai'i. (3)Glory bush (Tibouchina urvilleana) is another attractive ornamental that threatens native rainforest on the islands of Kaua`i and Hawai`i. [Fred Kraus, Division of Forestry and Wildlife] [the first two statements do not give indication of harm beyond "thickets" -- could be roadside; need more information]

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm (2)http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/tib_urv.htm (3)http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/Alien_Species.html

3.05

Several other Tibouchina species are also cultivated in Hawai'i, including T. multiflora and T. granulosa. Tibouchina species that have naturalized in Hawai'i include T. herbacea, T. longifolia, and T. urvilleana. Plants in the genus, Tibouchina, are listed as Hawai'i State noxious weeds.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

4.01

no description of these traits

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

4.02

no evidcence

4.03

no evidcence

4.04

Listed as a 'reasonably safe bet' that the deer will avoid it.

http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:KHWYrG-u8NgJ:
ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/40/954.pdf+Tibouchina+urvilleana+deer&hl=en

4.05

no evidcence

4.06

C. cubensis is an important canker pathogen of Eucalyptus spp. plantations in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, including South Africa. It is best known on Eucalyptus spp., but it also occurs on Syzygium aromaticum (clove). In 1998, C. cubensis caused cankers on the nonmyrtaceous hosts Tibouchina urvilleana and T. lepidota in Colombia.
[a specialist pathogen for Eucalyptus and few other species of Myrtaceae]

Myburg, H. Gryzenhout, M. Heath, R. Roux, J. Wingfield, B. D. Wingfield, M. J. (2002) Cryphonectria canker on Tibouchina in South Africa. Mycological Research, 2002, Vol. 106, No. 11, pp. 1299-1306, 29 ref.

4.07

no evidcence

4.08

T. urvilleana is known to form thickets in wet areas of Hawai'i from 200-1,700 m [grown in wet areas]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

4.09

(1) Sun Exposure: Full Sun; (2) Environment: prefers full sun; soil should be wet (3)Full sun to light shade (4)full sun to part shade (5).it grows in shade - Full sun to light shade (6)Shade (7) We see some planted in shade which they can tolerate

(1) http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1212/index.html (2) http://www.horticopia.com/hortpix/html/pc5259.htm (3)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Melastomataceae/Tibouchina_maudhiana.html (4)http://www.gardendesigns.com/cgi-bin/gt/index.cgi?read=152 (5)http://www.volcanogallery.com/princess_flower.htm (6)http://www.michaelcallan.com/newsletters/01/page_4.html (7)http://www.mgonline.com/tibouchina.html

4.1

(1)Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; well-drained; will thrive on any well-drained soil when regularly watered. (2)light soil with added organic matter and a slightly acidic to neutral pH (3)prefers loamy well mulched soil (3)soils with good drainage and a slightly acid mix is even better. [multiple references indicate requirment for light, well-drained soil]

(1)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/TIBURVA.pdf (2)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/199900123.html (3)http://www.californiagardens.com/Plant_Pages/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm (3)http://www.mgonline.com/tibouchina.html

4.11

sprawling, evergreen shrub or small ornamental tree ranges from 10 to 15 feet

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/TIBURVA.pdf

4.12

" In Hawai'i, this species is a pest in moist areas where it forms large thickets and spreads vegetatively"

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

Shrubs or small trees 1-4 m tall; Melastomataceae

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

5.03

no evidcence

5.04

Shrubs or small trees 1-4 m tall

6.01

"cultivated material of T. urvilleana appears to be self-incompatible and no plump seeds have been observed on any of the collections gathered from adventive populations."; " In Hawai'i, this species is a pest in moist areas where it forms large thickets and spreads vegetatively" [invade natural area through vegetative reproduction]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

6.02

"cultivated material of T. urvilleana appears to be self-incompatible and no plump seeds have been observed on any of the collections gathered from adventive populations." [apparently no viable seeds form from cultevated plants; could not find seeds for sale anywhere on Intenet ]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

6.03

no evidcence

6.04

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

6.05

Many Melastomes bear two types of stamens which have two distinct purposes. The short stamens produce pollen lacking genetic material (DNA) as a reward or bee-food. The long, curved stamens produce real pollen for reproduction and only dehisce (release the pollen) when vibrated by the buzz of a visiting bee. The real pollen is carried mostly unnoticed on the underside of the bee to pollinate the next flower. The fake pollen is collected and stored on the bee's hind legs. It will be carried back to the nest.

http://www.killerplants.com/plant-of-the-week/20020916.asp

6.06

" Plants spread vegetatively when branches touch the ground."

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

6.07

Don't know; grown from cuttings

7.01

"Plants can also be spread in dumping of garden debris."

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

7.02

It is cultivated in southern parts of the United States, Hawai'i, and elsewhere in the Pacific. PIER (2003) reports the following areas where T. urvilleana is present: Cook Islands (Rorotonga (cult.)), Hawai'i, Kermadec Islands (Raoul, remains of cult.), and Samoa (Upolu (remnant of cult.)).

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

7.03

no evidcence

7.04

"The seeds are mechanically dispersed from a capsule with sufficient force to enable this species to form expanding thickets in suitable habitats."

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/tib_urv.htm

7.05

grows in wet habitats [fragements or seeds could be disperesed with heavy rain]

7.06

no evidcence

7.07

no evidcence

7.08

no evidcence

8.01

"cultivated material of T. urvilleana appears to be self-incompatible and no plump seeds have been observed on any of the collections gathered from adventive populations." [no viable seeds form from cultevated plants but no evidence in native populations]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm

8.02

no evidcence

8.03

Control method:Foliar application using 2% Garlon 4.

http://www.hear.org/oisc/pdfs/oisc20022003strategicactionplan-illustrated-screen.pdf

8.04

(1)After each blooming cycle prune (2)In north Florida, princess flower is killed back nearly every winter, but quickly returns the following spring.

(1)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Melastomataceae/Tibouchina_maudhiana.html (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/T/tib.cfm

8.05

(1)Biological control: There have been no introductions of biological control agents to Hawai'i specifically for T. urvilleana. However, there is a moth, Rhynchopalpua brunellus Hampson, in the Noctuidae family, that was introduced to Hawai'i, Kaua'i, and O'ahu in 1965, 1968, and 1989, respectively (HDOA 2002). This moth is now also known to feed on Tibouchina urvilleana. This moth was recently found feeding on the tips of leaves of T. urvilleana plants along the Hana Hwy. It is not known how the moths got there. Also feeding on leaves of T. urvilleana in these areas is Lius poseidon (pers. obs.), a beetle in the Buprestidae family that was originally introduced to O'ahu in 1990 and Maui in 1994 for biological control of Clidemia hirta (HDOA 2002). Feeding damage by these organisms on plants in the area was evident, though plants still retained fairly healthy vigor. (2)avoid locations known to have root knot nematodes

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/tibouchina_urvilleana.htm (2)http://www.orlandosentinel.com/shopping/homegarden/
orl_shopping_maccubbin_profile_092300,0,3059784.htmlstory?coll=orl-utility-homegarden