Aptenia cordifolia (L.f.) Schwant., Aizoaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Threat only at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Low risk (based on second screen), score: 5 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

English: baby sun rose, dew plant, heartleaf iceplant, red apple

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Stems: prostrate, 12-18 in (3-6 dm), nodes widely spaced, base of stems woody.  Leaf: 0.4-1.2 in (1-3 cm), petioled, cordate, minutely papillate.  Inflorescence: flower solitary, axillary; peduncle 0.25-0.6 in (8-15 mm). Flower: hypanthium 0.2 in (6-7 mm); sepals, four of unequal size ±0.2 in (5 mm), the largest flat, the others awl-shaped; petals numerous 0.2 in (3 mm), ovary inferior.  Fruit: 13-15 mm four locular capsule" (Hickman, 1993, cited in Bossard et al,, 2000; pp. 46-48).

Habitat/ecology:  "In California, red apple is found in disturbed places and on margins of coastal wetlands, usually less than 100 feet (30 m) elevation. It can tolerate some soil salinity and grows well in dryish, frost-free or almost frost free areas in full sun.  When watered, red apple overwhelms all neighboring vegetation, climbing over anything in its path."  (Bossard et al,, 2000; pp. 46-48). In New Zealand, "coastal rocky sites, sometimes in sand" (Webb et al., 1988; p. 93).

Propagation:  "It is known to spread vegetatively by rooting of branches. Seeds grow well in sandy, well drained soil and germinate at 60-65 degrees F. More information is needed on seed viability and potential for seed dispersal." (Bossard et al,, 2000; pp. 46-48).

Native range:  "Native to the eastern coastal region of the Cape Province and Kruger National Park in the Transvaal, both in South Africa" (Bossard et al,, 2000; pp. 46-48).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 10) Voucher cited: MacKee 42334

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 93)
United States (west coast) United States (west coast states)	USA (California)	introduced invasive cultivated	Bossard, Carla C./Randall, John M./Hoshovsky, Marc C., eds. (2000) (p. 47)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced invasive cultivated	Bossard, Carla C./Randall, John M./Hoshovsky, Marc C., eds. (2000) (p. 47)

Comments:  A minor weed in New Zealand per Melanie Newfield, pers. com. Reported as possibly an invasive plant in the Galápagos Islands per Charles Darwin Research Station.

Control:  Physical:  "Red apple can be easily removed by hand pulling.  However, because of the ability of this plant to grow roots and shoots from any node, all live shoot segments must be removed from contact with the soil to prevent resprouting.  If complete removal is not possible, mulching with the removed plant material is adequate to prevent most resprouting, but requires at least one follow-up treatment to remove resprouts"

Chemical:  "The herbicide gylphosate (as Roundup®) has been effectively used to kill related sea fig clones at label-recommended concentrations of 2 percent or higher.  The addition of 1 percent surfactant to allow penetration of the cuticle on the leaves should improve effectiveness"  (Bossard et al,, 2000; pp. 46-48).

Additional information:  Additional online information about Aptenia cordifolia is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Aptenia cordifolia may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Bossard, Carla C./Randall, John M./Hoshovsky, Marc C., eds. 2000. Invasive plants of California's wildlands. University of California Press. 360 pp.

Charles Darwin Research Station. 2005. CDRS Herbarium records.

MacKee, H. S. 1994. Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 164 p.

Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. 1988. Flora of New Zealand, Volume IV: Naturalised pteridophytes, gymnosperms, dicotyledons. Botany Division, DSIR, Christchurch. 1365 pp.