Parkinsonia aculeata L., Fabaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results: 

Reject, score: 15 (Go to the risk assessment (Australia))
High risk, score: 20 (Go to the risk assessment (Pacific))
Reject, score: 18 (Go to the risk assessment (U.S. (Florida)))

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: bian zhou mu

English: Barbados flower-fence, Jerusalem thorn, Mexican paloverde, horse-bean, jelly bean tree, parkinsonia, retaima, sessaban

French: arrête-boeuf, arrêtenègre

Spanish: cina-cina, espanillo, espina de Jerusalem, espinillo, palo de rayo, palo verde, palo verde mejicano, parquinsonia

Habit:  tree

Description:  "A branching spiny glabrous shrub or small tree of irregular habit, from 2 to 8 m high, often forming thickets and reproducing by seed.  Stems slender, often drooping and of zig-zag form.  Leaves shortly stalked, bipinnate, each consisting of 1 to 3 pairs of leaflets with a long flattened prominently ribbed central axis 20 to 40 cm long, 2 to 3 mm wide ending in a short spine and edged on both sides with numerous, oblong secondary leaflets 4 to 10 mm long which, shedding readily, leave a long thin photosynthesizing stalk, each leaf is subtended by a needle-sharp spine 5 to 15 mm long at the node.  Flowers predominantly yellow, fragrant, 2 cm diameter, each on a long slender stalk and borne in groups of 8 to 12 in loose racemes arising from the leaf axils; corolla 5-petalled, bilaterally symmetrical, 4 petals 6 to 15 mm long becoming reflexed, 1 erect, either with orange spots or completely orange.  Fruit a light brown, shortly stalked, sharp pointed pod 3 to 13 cm long, usually 3 to 6 cm, about 7 mm wide, bulging and constricted between the seeds.  Seed:  Olive green to brown, oblong, 9 to 10 mm long, 3 to 4 mm wide.  Root:  A shallow main axis and numerous surface laterals"  (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; pp. 461-463).

Habitat/ecology:  "Jerusalem-thorn will grow on most types of soils, including sand dunes, clay soils, strongly alkaline, chalky, and mildly salty soils. It withstands a great deal of heat and can survive in areas that receive less than 30 cm of annual rainfall. It requires full or nearly full sunlight to survive and reproduce. In most environments, Jerusalem-thorn needs some kind of disturbance to become established"  (Wildland shrubs of the United States and its territories).  Tropics on a wide variety of soil types. Thrives in a wide range of climates. "Forms impenetrable thorny thickets that compete with and exclude native species.  A very hardy plant that can withstand long dry spells." (Smith, 2002; p. 21).

In Hawai‘i, "introduced as an ornamental, now naturalized in low elevation, dry, disturbed sites"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 691). In New Caledonia, " localisé mais parfois assez commun dans la région de Boulouparis" (MacKee, 1994p. 75). In the Galápagos Islands, "occasional to common from sea level to about 60 m, in open flats just above high tide, in open scrub forest, among lava blocks, and on old lava flows" (Wiggins & Porter, 1971; p. 608). Native of the arid lowlands in the Galápagos Islands (McMullen, 1999; pp. 62-63).  "In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:  Low altitude, interior valleys; coastal mountains, 500-2000 m; coastal areas, 0-500 m.  Coastal fog/camanchaca: The plants obtain water mainly from condensation; extremely dry areas with very rare rainfall, the dry season lasts 8 - 12 months and in some years it is possible to have no rainfall at all, rainfall less than 100 mm/year; dry, arid areas, with long drought periods of 6-10 months, precipitations of 100 mm-300 mm. are concentrated in winter.   Fully exposed to the sun, level areas or slopes facing north"  (Chileflora).

Propagation:  "Seeds are dispersed by water, and in mud on animals and vehicles.  Seeds are eaten by birds and animals and then expelled. Cultivated around homesteads for shade. Seeds remain viable for many years" (Smith, 2002; p. 21).  "It produces seeds prolifically of two types: light brown ones that germinate readily and dark brown ones that have a hard seed coat and remain dormant"  (Weber, 2003; p. 301).

Native range:  "Jerusalem-thorn is native to Texas, Arizona, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as the north of Uruguay"  (Wildland shrubs of the United States and its territories).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Chile (offshore islands) Rapa Nui (Easter) Island	Rapa Nui (Easter) Island (Isla de Pasqua)	introduced cultivated	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2008) (pp. 40, 42) "Lefeuvre et al., 2005. Nous n’avons pas vues lors de cette" (Meyer, 2008).
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Cultivée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 53)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 101)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1963) (voucher ID: BISH 155288) Taxon name on voucher: Parkinsonia aculeata Linnaeus
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1963) (voucher ID: BISH 571584) Taxon name on voucher: Parkinsonia aculeata Linnaeus
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 691)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 691)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 691)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 75) Vouchers cited: Pancher 6775 s.loc., MacKee 27475, Jinakoa in MacKee 43654
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced cultivated	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 97)

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	introduced invasive	Australian Biological Resources Study (2013) "Recorded from sandy creek beds, stream banks, heavy soils around swamps, dams and bores and from rocky terrain. Often forms dense impenetrable thickets".
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	introduced invasive	Cronk, Q. C. B./Fuller, J. L. (2001) (p. 178)
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	introduced invasive	Australian Biological Resources Study (2013) "A declared noxious weed in N.T. Recorded from sandy creek beds, stream banks, heavy soils around swamps, dams and bores and from rocky terrain. Often forms dense impenetrable thickets".
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	Cronk, Q. C. B./Fuller, J. L. (2001) (p. 178)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	Australian Biological Resources Study (2013) "Recorded from sandy creek beds, stream banks, heavy soils around swamps, dams and bores and from rocky terrain. Often forms dense impenetrable thickets".
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	El Salvador (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Hainan
China China	Hong Kong	introduced cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 137) Ornamental.
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Chile (Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Belov, Michail (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)

Comments:  A "weed of national significance" in Australia.

Control: 

Physical: "Mechanical removal by bulldozing, pulling with a tractor or grubbing gives effective control, especially where subsequent seedling growth can be controlled..." (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; pp. 461-463).

Chemical: "Good control of mature trees also is possible with herbicides, basal bark or cut stump treatments usually giving better results than an overall spray.  Apply a picloram + 2,4-D mixture or triclopyr in diesel oil, to the basal 75 cm of trunk, completely circling it and thoroughly drenching the bark.  In cut stump treatments swab the whole of the butt with any of the herbicides mentioned as basal bark sprays, immediately after cutting.  Allow the severed aerial growth to dry out and then burn.  Alternatively, apply liquid or granular hexazinone concentrate to the soil surface close to the base of the stems.  This material washed into the soil by subsequent rains slowly kills the shrubs."  (op. cit.)

Biological: Rhinacloa callicrates Herring (Hemiptera: Miridae) introduced into Queensland, Australia; under evaluation (Julien, 1992; p. 52).  "A biological control program for parkinsonia has been under way since 1983 in a joint study by the Queensland, Western Australian and Northern Territory governments. Three insects have been released so far into parkinsonia infestations. While all have established, impacts on the weed do not appear to be significant. One species, the seed feeding beetle Penthobruchus germaini, killed large proportions of seeds soon after it was first released in central Queensland. However, the beetle's eggs are now being attacked by a native wasp and it is no longer having an impact on parkinsonia. The CSIRO is currently conducting surveys in Central America to see if more potential biological control agents are available"  (Australian Weed Management Guide).