Epipremnum pinnatum cv. Aureum Nicolson, Araceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results: 

High risk, score: 9 (Go to the risk assessment (Pacific))
Reject, score: 11 (Go to the risk assessment (U.S. (Florida)))

Other Latin names:  Epipremnum aureum (Linden & André) G. S. Bunting; Pothos aurea Linden & André; Raphidophora aurea (Linden & André) Birdsey; Scindapsus aureus (Linden ex André) Engl. & K. Krause

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: qi lin ye

English: devil's ivy, golden pothos, money plant, pothos, taro vine

Maori (Cook Islands): ‘ara

Pohnpeian: selkasohlap

Spanish: cortina, enredadera

Habit:  vine

Description:  "Climber, usually on trees, or on stakes, trellises, or walls; leaves petiolate; blades large ovate-subcordate, to 60 cm long, apex subobtuse, to 40-45 cm broad, lateral veins slightly ascending, the tissue between these often yellow, the leaves thus mostly with irregularly spaced yellow bands and green bands on each side of the midrib" (Stone, 1970)."High-climbing lianas or hemiepiphytes; stems to 2-4 cm in diameter, often with aerial roots.  Leaf blades green with irregular yellow markings, ovate to broadly ovate-lanceolate or cordate, up to 1 m long and 0.5 m wide, entire in juveniles, pinnatifid in adult plants, petioles stout, sulcate, up to 32 cm (or more?) long, cataphylls soon withering but persistent as a fibrous mat.  Inflorescences several together, erect; spathe cream, soon withering, navicular; spadix cream, up to 17 cm long and 3 cm in diameter, slightly shorter than spathe.  Berries 1-2-seeded"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1359).

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i, "common as an escaped hemiepiphytic vine, climbing on the trunks of trees and into the forest canopy, primarily in disturbed areas and along roadsides"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1359).

Propagation:  Cuttings and pieces.

Native range:  Solomon Islands (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1359).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 83)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 26)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 6)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 34) Naturalized
Fiji Fiji Islands	Kambara Island	introduced cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1979) (pp. 442-443) Voucher cited: Moore 24
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 9)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 9)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 308) As Epipremnum pinnatum; vouchers cited: Moore 355, Florence 10369, Fosberg & Sachet 63332
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 9)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 308) As Epipremnum pinnatum; vouchers cited: Grant 4319, Barrau 1011
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tupai Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 308) As Epipremnum pinnatum; vouchers cited: Fosberg 61355, Sachet 1963, Sachet 1965
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tupai Island	introduced invasive	Sachet, M.-H. (1983) (p. 15) As Epipremnum pinnatum )L.) Engler; vouchers cited: Fosberg 61355 (US), Sachet 1963 (US), Sachet 1965 (US)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Makatea (Ma‘atea) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 3069 (PAP) "Largement naturalisé en forêt autour du village, surtout au Sud".
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rimatara (Rimitara) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 122)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 92) As Epipremnum aureum.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1359) As Epipremnum pinnatum cv `Aureum'
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1359) As Epipremnum pinnatum cv `Aureum'
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1359) As Epipremnum pinnatum cv `Aureum'
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank (2007) (pp. 18-19) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H80513 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1359) As Epipremnum pinnatum cv `Aureum' . Voucher cited: St. John 10509 (BISH)
Japan (offshore islands) Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007) As Epipremnum aureum (Linden ex André) Bunting.
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Imada, Clyde T. (2004) (p. 11)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak, Eniwetok) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 92) As Epipremnum aureum and Epipremnum pinnatum, respectively.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Jaluit (Jãlwõj) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 92) As Epipremnum aureum.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Jaluit (Jãlwõj) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1962) (p. 10) Voucher cited: Lyman 10 (US)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 92) As Epipremnum aureum.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 104)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll	introduced invasive	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2007) (p. 2) "Occasional; in several parts of forest near road in Arno village this vine was invading, smothering coconut trees and spreading into uncultivated areas".
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 28) Adventive
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 92) As Epipremnum aureum.
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced cultivated	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 42) As Epipremnum aureum; voucher cited: Fosberg 58724 (US)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 17) Voucher cited: MacKee 33154
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 223) Voucher cited: CHR 169955
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 6)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 8) Considerable control work has been accomplished.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 12-13, 85)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 12-13, 80)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 15)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 12-13, 80)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 12-13, 80)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced cultivated	Merrill, Elmer D. (1925) (p. 178) Cultivated for ornamental purposes, but never observed in flower. Native of the Solomon Islands.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (pp. 10-11)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1359)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka and Foa Islands	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. Field notes.)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. Field notes.)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Midway Atoll	Sand Island	introduced cultivated	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd (2008) (pp. B-8) Voucher cited: Starr & Starr 080601-09
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Palmyra Atoll	Palmyra Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Wester, Lyndon (1985) (p. 19)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R. (1959) (p. 11) As Scindapsus aureus. Potted plants seen in 1952.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	native	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Tropical rain forests, mountain forests, creeping and climbing on trees, rocks, or stone walls; below 2000 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan.
China China	Hong Kong	introduced cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 299) Ornamental.
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Celebes, Java, Kalimantan, Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas, Sumatra.
Indonesia Indonesia	West Papua Province (Indonesia) (western New Guinea Island) (formerly Irian Jaya)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Japan Ryukyu Islands	Ryukyu Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 39) Epipremnum aureum (Linden ex André) Bunting; casual
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	native	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Tropical rain forests, mountain forests, creeping and climbing on trees, rocks, or stone walls; below 2000 m.
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced cultivated	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 113)
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced cultivated	Whistler, W. Arthur (1996) (p. 31)
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Rivers, Julie (2004) (pp. 1, 6)
India (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Andaman Islands	Andaman Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
India (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Nicobar Islands	Nicobar Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

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	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013)

Comments:  A number of infestations of this plant were seen in forested areas of Niue, mostly along roads where they were probably the result of the dumping of garden cuttings (Space & Flynn, 2000).

Naturalized plants seen on the Robert Louis Stevenson estate grounds/Vailima botanical garden, Samoa (Space & Flynn, 2002).

Control: 

Physical:  "Physical removal is very difficult but can be effective if done repeatedly for a longer period.  All pieces must be properly disposed of or they will resprout"  (Englberger, 2009; p. 19).