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 longifolia (Mimosa longifolia, Sidney goldern wattle, long leafed wattle)

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

1

2.02

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

1

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

n

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

y

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

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

n

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

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

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

y

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

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

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

y

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:

10

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

A. longifolia is also reported to have established naturalized populations in California and New Zealand

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

1.03

No evidence

2.01

Its natural distribution extends from northern New South Wales south to Victoria and South Australia along coastal hinterlands and adjacent ranges.

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

2.02

2.03

(1)Approximate limits north to south: 25°S to 44°S - Altitude range: 0 - 1100 m [? No naturalized plants] (2)Indigenous to the coastal areas (3)Eastern Australia, along creeks and swamps [lowland species]

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.ecoport.org/ (3)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Fabaceae/Acacia_longifolia.html

2.04

(1)Its natural distribution extends from northern New South Wales south to Victoria and South Australia along coastal hinterlands and adjacent ranges. A. longifolia is also reported to have established naturalized populations in California and New Zealand (2)Indigenous to the coastal areas of eastern Australia � New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Naturalized in parts of USA, Uruguay, Argentina and South Africa. In SA it occurs mainly in the southern coastal belt from Hopefield in the south-west to Grahamstown in the East Cape. It is found at various places in KwaZulu-Natal especially around Pietermaritzburg but has not yet become a problem there. [mainly Mediterranean and cool climate NZ]

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.ecoport.org/

2.05

Introduced to New Zealand, the U.S. and South Africa. Widely cultivated.

http://biodiversity.soton.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Araneus.pl

3.01

A. longifolia is also reported to have established naturalized populations in California and New Zealand

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

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

(1)A. longifolia has fast growth and is mainly grown for its ability to stabilize sand dunes (e.g. Berenhauser, 1973; Kosmer, 1975; Avis, 1989). However, in a number of countries, notably South Africa, these plantings have resulted in A. longifolia becoming a serious weed species, invading and displacing native vegetation. (2)ALIEN INVASIVE PLANTS IN FYNBOS [subjected to biocontrol in S. Africa]

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.arc-aii.agric.za/v-arcroot/institutes/ppri/main/divisions/weedsdiv/fynboselectronic/acalon.htm

3.05

A. mearnsii is a serious pest along river banks in South Africa.

New, T.R. 1984. A Biology of Acacias. Oxford University Press. New York.

4.01

not described

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/acacia_longifolia.htm

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Palatability to browse animals - low

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

4.05

Toxicity- none.

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

4.06

(1)Pests recorded
Insect pests:
Acizzia uncatoides
Forficula auricularia
Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae None of the above were found to have economic importance
(2) 16 fungi are reported to be associated with A.longifolia.

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

(1) Toxicity- none.
(2) AB: To compare proteinase activities released by allergenic pollens of various genera we used a rapid microassay which quantifies cleavage of dipeptide ester substrates to characterize the substrate preference profiles of serine proteinases in diffusates of the pollens of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), Western ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), white birch (Betula spp.) and Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia). [considered allergic pollen and used in the study but no more so than other common plants]

(1) http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi
(2) Widmer, F. Hayes, P. J. Whittaker, R. G. Kumar, R. K. (2000) Substrate preference profiles of proteases released by allergenic pollens. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 2000, Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 571-576, 23 ref.

4.08

(1)an evergreen tree [but is known to burn] (2)Fire tolerance- medium. Not fire resistant. (3)The population dynamics studies of Acacia longifolia (Andr.) Willd, differed greatly in the absence or presence of fire. In the absence of fire few seedlings established under the living parent plant even though a large quantity of seeds is incorporated into the seed bank annually. Fire caused the destruction of the parent trees but resulted in the establishment of a dense, even-aged stand of seedlings. However, this treatment depleted the seed bank of this weed by 90%. The implications of these findings for integrated control are discussed.

(1)http://www.fuf.net/newsite/archive/pages/H5h6.html (2)http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi (3)TI: THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE WEED ACACIA-LONGIFOLIA FABACEAE IN THE ABSENCE AND PRESENCE OF FIRE.
AU: PIETERSE-P-J {a}; CAIRNS-A-L-P
SO: South-African-Forestry-Journal. 1988; (145): 25-27..

4.09

Prefers full sun.

(1)http://www.fuf.net/newsite/archive/pages/H5h6.html (2)http://www.hortpix.com/pc53.htm

4.1

(1)Soil: Any well drained soil (2)grows on drier sandy soil, clay soil or rocky places with sandy soil.

(1)http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1079/acacia.html (2)http://www.ecoport.org/

4.11

Probably not - not a vine.

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

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Fabaceae

5.02

Fabaceae

5.03

Ability to fix nitrogen

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

5.04

No evidence

6.01

Flowering: Ear sharp yellow flowers from February to April.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=
http://bergerc.free.fr/pds/article.php%3Fid_article%3D82&prev=
/search%3Fq%3DAcacia%2Blongifolia%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

6.02

'The seed germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 25°c[133]. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle…'

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Acacia+longifolia

6.03

No evidence

6.04

No evidence

6.05

Very attractive to bees.

http://www.southernwoods.co.nz/cart/results_all.asp?offset=10

6.06

Propagated by seed. Vegetative spread rate: none.

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

6.07

(1)fast growing Shrub to 18' (2) Very fast growing but tends to be short lived. [minimum estimate for a fast growing shrub]

(1)http://www.australiaplants.com/Acacia_longifolia.htm (2)http://www.forests.qld.gov.au/qts/treetext.html

7.01

The transport of building sand infested with seed is also a major means of dispersal

http://www.ecoport.org/

7.02

Probably yes - 'A. longifolia is planted as an ornamental in Spain and has been trailed for its potential as a source of gum arabic in Corsica (Vassal and Mouret, 1989; Trigo and Garcia, 1990). Recently, it has also been grown as a successful substrate for the production of oyster mushrooms in South Africa.'

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

7.03

Probably not (1) Not small grain. 33,000 seeds per pound.(2)Picture of bag of seeds

(1)http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi (2)http://www.shaman-australis.com/Website/subcat15.htm

7.04

Once ripe the pods split longitudinally along both seams, curling as they dry out and soon fall from the tree.

http://www.ecoport.org/

7.05

The rapid invasion of river valleys has resulted from the copious production of hard, long-lived seeds that have ben washed downstream from sources of infestation in higher areas.

http://www.ecoport.org/

7.06

Seeds are also dispersed by birds [crushed by birds for food?]

http://www.ecoport.org/

7.07

no means of attachment

http://www.ecoport.org/

7.08

hard seed coat

TI: AN EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE FOR BREAKING THE SEED DORMANCY OF ACACIA-LONGIFOLIA.AU: PIETERSE-P-J {a}; CAIRNS-A-L-PSO: South-African-Journal-of-Plant-and-Soil. 1986; 3 (2): 85-87..

8.01

Probably not (1) Not small grain. 33,000 seeds per pound.(2)Picture of bag of seeds

(1)http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi (2)http://www.shaman-australis.com/Website/subcat15.htm

8.02

(1) 'The Australian Acacia longifolia (Andr.) Willd., owes its success as a weed in South Africa amongst other things to the excessive production of long-lived seed banks under existing stands of the weed. …' (2)The effect of different pre-treatments on the dormancy of the hard-coated seeds of Acacia longifolia Andr. Willd. was determined. A final germination figure of 100% could be obtained with hot water treatments, acid scarification and manual scarification. However, if germination rate was taken into consideration, acid scarification proved superior to all other treatments.

(1)TI: THE EFFECT OF FIRE ON AN ACACIA-LONGIFOLIA SEED BANK IN THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA.
AU: PIETERSE-P-J {a}; CAIMS-A-L-P
SO: South-African-Journal-of-Botany. 1986; 52 (3): 233-236..
(2)TI: AN EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE FOR BREAKING THE SEED DORMANCY OF ACACIA-LONGIFOLIA.
AU: PIETERSE-P-J {a}; CAIRNS-A-L-P
SO: South-African-Journal-of-Plant-and-Soil. 1986; 3 (2): 85-87..

8.03

'No foliar-applied herbicides are registered against Acacia longifolia, one of the most serious invaders of mountain fynbos vegetation, or Paraserianthes lophantha, a serious weed of streambanks. In this study, glyphosate (180 g ai L-1) at 0.432%, 0.864%, 1.296% and 1.728% (m/v) and triclopyr (480 g ai L-1) at 0.144%, 0.288%, 0.432% and 0.576% (m/v) were applied to juvenile A. longifolia plants. Triclopyr at 1, 2, 3 and 4 L ha-1 were applied to A. longifolia seedlings and glyphosate (180 g ai L-1) at 0.72%, 1.08%, 1.44% and 1.8% (m/v) were applied to juvenile P. lophantha plants. All glyphosate concentrations applied gave satisfactory ( gt 90%) control of A. longifolia and P. lophantha. All triclopyr treatments except the 0.144% (m/v) applied to the juvenile plants and 1 L ha-1 treatments applied to the A. longifolia seedlings gave satisfactory control. It is proposed that both herbicides be registered for use against A. longifolia and that glyphosate be registered for P. lophantha.'

Pieterse-P-J. 1994. Foliar-applied herbicides for chemical control of Acacia longifolia and Paraserianthes lophantha. Applied-Plant-Science. 8(2): 54-56..

8.04

(1)regenerate rapidly. (2)Prune: As needed to control size as a shrub or small tree (3)Coppice Potential: Yes. Resprout ability: yes (4) 'Mechanical felling and burning of A. longifolia is costly method or eradication and the effects are short lived because the original infestation is replaced by an even denser stand of seedlings.' (5)Fire therefore encourages the formation of dense stands

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1079/acacia.html (3)http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi (4)Pieterse P.J. and Cairns A.L.P. The population dynamics of the weed Acacia longifolia (Fabaceae) in the absence and presence of fire. South African Forestry Journal. 1988. (145) 25- 27. (5)http://www.ecoport.org/

8.05

Integrated control operations to eradicate A. longifolia in South Africa started as early as 1943 and have had variable results (Macdonald et al., 1989). More recently, the introduction of biological controls agents, such as gall-forming wasps, have apparently been effective in locally eradicating the species (Dennill and Gordon, 1990; Dennill and Donnelly, 1991; Moll and Trinder-Smith, 1992; Manongi and Hoffmann, 1995). However, the wasps are reported to have spread to plantations of the commercially important tree species A. melanoxylon (Dennill et al., 1993). [not known if present in Hawaii]

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