Stromanthe tonckat (Aublet) Eichler, Marantaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 7 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Maranta tonckat Aubl.

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Erect, rhizomatous herb.  The plant sends up 1-1.2 m long internodes, which then produce several leafy branches.  Mature berries are ellipsoid, somewhat pear-shaped, red then turning black at maturity"  (Daehler & Baker, 2006; p. 9).

"Plantas 1.4-2.5 m de alto, muy ramificadas en el extremo de una caña 0.6-1.8 m de largo. Hojas numerosas, todas caulinares, láminas ovadas, 5.5-19 cm de largo y 2.5-8 cm de ancho, ápice acuminado, márgenes exteriores de la lámina menudamente ciliados, nervio principal piloso a lo largo de cada lado en la haz y piloso en el envés; pulvínulo 0.2-1 cm de largo, pubescente, pecíolo ausente, vaina auriculada, densamente pilosa en el ápice y en los márgenes. Inflorescencias numerosas, terminales en las ramas frondosas, brácteas 4-7, patentes, dísticas, angostamente ovado-elípticas, 1.9-2.5 cm de largo y 0.5-0.6 cm de ancho, la superficie exterior glabra excepto pilosa en su unión al raquis, verdes, cada una abrazando 3-4 pares de flores; sépalos 6-7 mm de largo, amarillo-verdes; corola ca 7.5 mm de largo, blanca; estaminodio cuculado blanco, el calloso y los exteriores lilas; ovario seríceo, de color coral. Cápsula obovoide, 7-9 mm de largo, morado obscura tornándose roja al madurar, sépalos no persistentes; semillas 5-6 mm de largo y 4.5-5.5 mm de ancho, negras"  (Flora de Nicaragua).

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i, "common in Haukulu, where it has established along trails and in unmanaged wet areas of the [Lyon] Arboretum.  It has definitely increased in abundance in recent years"  (Daehler & Baker, 2006; p. 9).  In Nicaragua (native), "Común, en nebliselvas y bosques siempreverdes en la zona norcentral; 15-1400 m"  (Flora de Nicaragua).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Central and South America (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	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Daehler, Curtis C./Baker, Raymond F. (2006) (p. 9) Vouchers cited: C. Daehler 1076 (BISH), Nagata 3096 (HLA)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Honduras (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Stromanthe tonckat, please let us know.