Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, Rutaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results: 

Evaluate, score: 6 (Go to the risk assessment (Pacific))
Reject, score: 7 (Go to the risk assessment (U.S. (Florida)))

Other Latin names:  Murraya exotica L.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: jiu li xiang

English: Burmese-boxwood, China-box, Chinese box, Chinese-boxwood, Chinese-myrtle, Hawaiian mock orange, barktree, cosmetic bark tree, jasmine orange, mock orange, orange jasmine, orange jessamine, satinwood

French: bois buis, bois de Chine, bois jasmin, rameau

Maori (Cook Islands): tiare ‘ānani

Spanish: flor de ramo

Tahitian: tiare ‘ānani

Tongan: ‘olive

Habit:  shrub/tree

Description:  "Small tree or shrub to 7 m tall, evergreen; leaves pinnately 3-7 foliolate, or unifoliolate, glabrous and glossy; elliptic to cuneate-obovate to rhombic; inflorescence terminal, corymbose, few-flowered, dense, fragrant; petals 12-18 mm long, recurved, white (fading cream); fruit oblong-ovoid, red to orange"  (Welsh, 1998; p. 256).

Habitat/ecology:  Favors limestone soils (Stone, 1970; p. 350).

Propagation:  Seed, possibly bird-dispersed.

Native range:  India to Malaya, cultivated and now pantropical.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 40)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013) Uncommon.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 81)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013) Uncommon.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013) Uncommon.
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (p. 513) Vouchers cited: Greenwood 8, DA 18046, DA 578, DA 1123, DA 3470
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 147560) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Cultivée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced cultivated	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 16) Voucher cited: Fosberg 11052 (BISH)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1975) (voucher ID: PTBG 8272) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Cultivée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 40940) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 256) Voucher cited: Moore 361
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 256) Vouchers cited: Grant 4127, Florence 2459
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 2459 (PAP) Ornementale assez commune.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 491731) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Cultivée
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 350) Voucher cited: Stone 5091 (GUAM)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 125)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawaiian Islands	introduced cultivated	Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral/Imada, Clyde T. (2000) (p. 29)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Frohlich, Danielle/Lau, Alex (2012) (p. 46) Voucher cited: D. Frohlich & A. Lau 2010021903 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2003) (p. 32) East Maui. Voucher cited: Starr & Martz 010726-7 (BISH) Sparingly naturalized; all life stages present in pastures and along fence lines near Puka‘auhuhu.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2003) (p. 32) Naturalized
Japan (offshore islands) Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 125)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 102) Not seen on this survey and may no longer be present.
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 123)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced cultivated	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (pp. 192-193) Voucher cited: Hassall 184 (SUVA)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1867) (voucher ID: BISH 178258) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 126) Vouchers cited: Baumann 9898, MacKee 12128, MacKee 38284
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1980) (voucher ID: PTBG 32772) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 44) Cult. and being propagated at Vaipapahi nursery.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 16, 86)
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. 16, 81)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 16, 81)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago	possibly native cultivated	Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 270) Cultivated plants are introduced. Possibly the plant is wild on the Gazelle Peninsula.
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	cultivated	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (pp. 336-337) In thickets and secondary forests at low and medium altitudes, sometimes planted. Often common.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 92)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Ha‘ano Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 10)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka and Foa Islands	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 10)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 10)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 10)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1989) (voucher ID: PTBG 3897) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 10)
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Malakula (Malekula) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1988) (voucher ID: BISH 628581) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Tanna Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1928) (voucher ID: BISH 178645) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Tanna Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 424732) Taxon name on voucher: Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack

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) Thickets; near sea level. S Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, S Guizhou, Hainan
China China	Hong Kong	introduced invasive cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (pp. 200-201)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	introduced invasive	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Natualized
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 62) Cultivated only
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	native	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (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
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	native	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1993) (p. 19)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Lavergne, Christophe (2006) "Cultivé/subspontanée"
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced	Lorence, D./Sussman, R. W. (1986) (p. 156)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced invasive	Kueffer, C./Mauremootoo, J. (2004) (pp. 7, 8)
French Territory of Mayotte Mayotte Islands	Mayotte Island	introduced cultivated	Comité français de l'Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature en France (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

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:  "Murraya exotica L. is said to differ from M. paniculata in the larger leaves (less than 4, not 3-7) cm long and petals rarely over 2 cm long (not sometimes over 2 cm long)" (Welsh (1998). Smith (1985) and Stone (1970) list them as synonyms).

Extensively used as a hedge and ornamental plant in Tonga but no naturalization noted so far (Space & Flynn, 2001).

"In Asia, M. paniculata is the preferred host to the insect pest Diaphorina citri, the citrus psyllid. The psyllid is the vector for the serious disease "citrus greening" or 'huanglongbing'. Both the psyllid and the disease have recently been confirmed in Irian Jaya and it seems almost unavoidable that they will move into Papua New Guinea. The disease is very damaging to citrus in Asia and Australia is so concerned about both the psyllid and the disease moving in her general direction that we are supporting an international program exploring the potential for biological control of the psyllid." (Barbara Waterhouse, pers. com.)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Murraya paniculata, please let us know.