Macaranga tanarius (L.) M�ll.Arg., Euphorbiaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 12 (Go to the risk assessment).

Other Latin names:  Ricinus tanarius L.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: blush macaranga, david's-heart, hairy-mahogany, heartleaf, nasturtium-tree, parasol leaf tree

Kwara‘ae: rebareba, taksui

Habit:  tree

Description:  "Dioecious trees 4-10 (-20) m tall.  Leaves peltate, ovate to oblong-ovate, 8-30 cm long, petioles 6-25 cm long, stipules oblong to narrowly ovate, 1-3 cm long, quickly deciduous.  Staminate flowers in open panicles 13-35 cm long, bracts and calyx pale green to yellowish green, stamens (3) 4-6 (-10), anthers tetrathecal; pistillate flowers in panicles 8-30 cm long, ovary 2-3-celled, styles 5-8 mm long.  Capsules 2-3-valved, 10-12 mm long, covered with pale waxy glands and soft, scattered, elongate, spinelike processes" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 624).

"An evergreen tree, it grows into a height of 6 m with a spread of 2 m. ¶The stem is erect and branching; the leaves are large, rounded and 30 cm across, with radiating veins and long petioles; the flowers are insignificant." (Encyclopaedia Botanica)

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in disturbed mesic valleys, 0-220 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 624).

"A native of Qld, NSW, and of PNG and SE Asia, it prefers well-composted soils in a protected, semi-shaded position, and is drought and frost tender." (Encyclopaedia Botanica)

Propagation:  In cultivation (apparently): "Propagation is by seed or cuttings." (Encyclopaedia Botanica)

Native range:  Eastern and southeastern Asia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Australia (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Parker, James L./Parsons, Bobby (2010) (pp. 41-42) Voucher cited: K. Bio, J. Parker & R. McGuire BIED4 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 624)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank L./Meidell, J. Scott/Bartlett, R. T. (1999) (pp. 7-8) West Maui. Voucher cited: Oppenheimer 303 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 624) Voucher cited: Caum et al. s.n. (BISH)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Ebon (Epoon) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 141) var. glabra
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Jaluit (Jãlwõj) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 141) also var. glabra
New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) New Guinea Island	New Guinea Island	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago		Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 307) Common in secondary forest and overgrown plantations.
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	native	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 443) Characteristic of thickets and second=growth forests at low and medium altitudes.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 88)
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Vanuatu (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

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)	New South Wales	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
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	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Guangdong
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Celebes, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Sumatra
Japan Ryukyu Islands	Ryukyu Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 57) Cultivated only
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
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
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)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Macaranga tanarius, please let us know.