Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Acacia auriculiformis

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

N

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

Y

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

N

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

Y

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

Y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

Y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

Y

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

N

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

N

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

Y

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

N

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

N

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

N

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

N

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

N

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

N

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

N

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

Y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

N

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

N

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

N

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

N

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

Y

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

N

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

N

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

Y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

Y

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

N

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

N

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

N

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

2

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

N

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

N

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

N

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

N

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

Y

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

Y

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

13

Source

Notes

1.01

I did not find any reference to any cultivar of the species different from the wild form.

1.02

Keng, H. 1990. The consice flora of Singapore. Gymnoperms and Dicotyledons. Singapore University Press. Singapore.

Naturalized in Singapore.

Pg 31

1.03

Did not find any reference to the species having weedy subspecies, cultivars or varieties.

2.01

(1) Booth TH, Turnbull JW, 1994. Domestication of lesser-known tropical tree species: The Australian experience. In: Leakey RRB, Newton AC, eds. Tropical trees: The Potential for Domestication and Rebuilding of Forest Resources. ITE Symposium No. 29, ECTF Symposium No. 1. London, UK: HMSO, 189-194 (2) Breeding systems and genetic diversity in Acacia auriculiformis and A. crassicarpa. Biotropica, 1989, Vol 21 (3), Pgs 250-256

(1) '…A. auriculiformis has demostrated its wide adaptability in the humid and sub humid tropical lowlands. (2)

(1) 192

2.02

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.03

(1)Tissue culture of Acacia auriculiformis. ACIAR proceedings. 1991 (35) Pgs 39-42 (2)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

(1)…can grow well throughout Thailand even in poor soil and open forest. Although A. auroiculiformis can grow on hot , dry sites, it is also adaptable to humid climates with an annual rainfall upto 1800 mm. (2) can grow from 0 to 1000 m.

2.04

(1) Geographic variation in seedling morphology of Acacia aurculiformis A. Cunn. Ex Benth. Australian Journal of Botany, 1993, Vol 41 (4/5), Pgs 601-609 (2) Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development.

(1)'…has been widely planted and utilized in India, China and south east Asia.' (2) It is native of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. 'Climatically the occurrence of A. auriculiformis is in the hot humid and sub humid zones.

(2) Pgs 15 and 16

2.05

( 1)Pinyopusarerk, K., E.R. Williams, D. J. Boland. Variaition in seedling morphology of Acacia auriculiformis in Advances in tropicla Acacia research. ACIAR proceedings.1991 (35) Pg 67-72 (2)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. 3)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Acacia_auriculiformis.html

(1)'…it has been widely planted in India, China and southeast Asia.' (2) map shows multiple introductions. 3) Fiji, India, Indonesia, Java,
Malaysia, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, the Soloman Islands, Uganda, and Zanzibar.

67

3.01

Keng, H. 1990. The consice flora of Singapore. Gymnoperms and Dicotyledons. Singapore University Press. Singapore. 2)http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/derm/badplants.htm

Naturalized in Singapore. 2) Florida

Pg 31

3.02

No reference of the species being a garden or disturbance pest - or being controlled for.

3.03

No reference of the species being an agricultural or forestry pest - or being controlled for.

3.04

http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/derm/badplants.htm

readily invades pine rockland habitat and the margins of hardwood forests. Once established in natural areas it can quickly form extensive colonies that outcompete native vegetation.

3.05

Weed Control Manual 2000. Meister Publishing Co., Salem, MA.

Acacia rigidula, Acacia tortuosaand Acacia farnesiana are listed under weeds of pastures and rangeland. Tricopyr is the suggested herbicide for their control.

466

4.01

Corner,E. J. H. 1988 Wayside trees of Malaya. The Malayan nature society. Kaula Lampur. Vol 1. Pg 448

This species does not produce any spines

448

4.02

Did not find any reference to the species being allelopathic

4.03

No reference to the species being parasitic.

4.04

4.05

No reference to the species being toxic to animals

4.06

(1)Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development.

(1 )'There appear to be no serious insect pests and diseases of A. auriculiformis'

4.07

No reference to the species being toxic to humans or causes allergies.

4.08

Did not find any reference to the species being a fire hazard. But it mostly grows in hot and 'humid' regions in the tropics and subtropics- and probably is less likely to be a fire hazard.

4.09

1)Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development. 2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Acacia_auriculiformis.html

Newly germinated seedlings should receive 50% shade.' Although this citation refers to nursery conditions it suggests that the newly germinated seedlings probably are shade tolerant. 2) shade intolerant [contradictory; most Acacia spp. Are light demanders]

18

4.1

Australian Journal of Botany, 1993, Vol 39 (3), Pgs 247-260. 2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Acacia_auriculiformis.html

…tolerance of a wide range of soil conditions.' 2)will grow on a wide range of deep and shallow soils, compacted clays, coral soils, laterites, limestone, mica schist, mine spoil, podzols, even sand dunes and unstable slopes.

4.11

Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development.

The species is a tree and I did not find any evidence of the species having a smothering habit.

4.12

Did not find any evidence of it growing naturally as a monoculture (possibly in Florida? See 3.04)

5.01

5.02

5.03

Pinyopusarerk, K., E.R. Williams, D. J. Boland. Variaition in seedling morphology of Acacia auriculiformis in Advances in tropicla Acacia research. ACIAR proceedings.1991 (35) Pg 67-72

Acacia auriculiformis A. cunn. ex. Benth is a leguminous, nitrogen fixing tree which occurs naturally in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. '

67

5.04

6.01

Did not find any evidence on the reproductive failure in the native habitat.

6.02

Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development.

Newly germinated seedlings should receive 50% shade.'

18

6.03

Wickneswari R. and M. Norwati. 1991. Pod production and hybrid seed yield in Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiiformis in ACIAR proceedings, no 37. Pg 57 - 62

Spontaneous hybrids of these two species have been reported in natural populations...'

57

6.04

Reproductive biology and interspecific hybridization of Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. Ex. Benth. (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) Breeding systems and genetic diversity in Acacia auriculiformis and A. crassicarpa. Biotropica, 1989, Vol 21 (3), Pgs 250-256

High level of self incompatibility occurs.

6.05

(1) Breeding systems and genetic diversity in Acacia auriculiformis and A. crassicarpa. Biotropica, 1989, Vol 21: 3, Pgs 250-256. (2) Insect visitors to flowering branches of Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis. ACIAR proceedings no. 37. Pgs 51-56

(1)'…geneally in Acacias insects especially bees are the main pollinators.' (2) A range of insects visit the flowers of A. auriculiformis - bees belonging to the genera Colletidae and Trigona.

6.06

Wong C. Y. & R. J. Haines. Multiplication of families of Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis by cuttings from young seedlings.1991 ACIAR proceedings no 37 Pgs 112-114

Like this paper there are some other references to the 'artificial' ways of vegetatively propogating this species but I could not find any evidence of this species spreading naturally without seeds.

6.07

Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development.

A. auriculiformis starts flowering at about age of 18 months grom gedrmination and will produce large quantities of seed after 4-5 years of age. The age of first flowering however varies considerably with locality and seed source.'

17

7.01

Corner,E. J. H. 1988 Wayside trees of Malaya. The Malayan nature society. Kaula Lampur. Vol 1. Pg 448

This reproductive structures do not produce any spine - nor are they sticky and hence not likely to be dispersed unintentionally by people.

448

7.02

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Acacia_auriculiformis.html

Frequently planted for wood, reclamation of wastelands

7.03

Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development.

Being a legume with relatively large seeds (4-6 m long amd 3-4 mm wide) and brightly colored it is unlikely that this species could be introduced as a produce contaminant.

15

7.04

Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development.

'Ripe pods dehise along a single margin and the mature seeds can be seen hanging out on their funicles.' [no clear morphological adaptation for spreading by wind - seems to be gravity]

15

7.05

http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/factsh/Aurichg2.htm

The species is commonly riparian, i.e. ringing perennial rivers and semi-perennial creeks

7.06

http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/acacia.htm

Birds find these seeds highly attractive and eat them. Thus the plant is very quickly dispersed.

7.07

Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development.

The seeds do not have any structures like hooks and neither are they sticky. The seeds are attached to the pods on the tree till they disperse. It is unlikely to be dispersed by attachment to animals.

15

7.08

Don’t know. Probably seeds are crushed before being swallowed by bird.

8.01

Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development.

Pod are 1.5cm wide and 6.5cm long. Seeds are 4-6mm long and 3-4mm wide and are held transversely in the pod. Hence each pod contains about 16 seeds. This suggests that there are probably less than 1000seeds occur per m sq.

15 and 17

8.02

Based on the biology - it is a perennial legume tree with relatively big, hard-coated seeds. It is likely that the seeds remain viable for a year or more in the soil.

8.03

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_WG209

Stalker will increase consistency.

8.04

Visaratana, T. 1991. Coppicing ability of some Australian tree spcies in Thailand in Advances in tropicla Acacia research. ACIAR proceedings (35), pg 43- 47 2) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Acacia_auriculiformis.html 3)http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/factsh/Aurichg2.htm

The paper discusses the coppicing ability of severeal species including A. auriculiformis in Thailand. 'Moreover, the study showed that local A. auriculiformis had the highest coppicing ability in this speceis…' 2)fire tolerant 3)It is susceptible to fire; even trees 10-15 years old can be killed.

43

8.05

(1)Pinyopusarerk, K. 1990. Acacia auriculiformis: an anotated bibliography. Winrock International Institute of Agricultural development. (2)Julien and Griffith 1998. Biological control of weeds.

(1 )'There appear to be no serious insect pests and diseases of A. auriculiformis' (2) Does not mention any biocontol agents for this species.