Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Acalypha hispida


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: 2 (low risk based on second screen)


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.

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

Acalypha hispida; chenille plant, bristly copperleaf

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

n

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

n

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

y

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

y

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

n

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

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

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

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

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

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

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

y=1, n=-1

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

2

Supporting data:

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

Holm, L.; J.V. Puncho; J.P. Herberger & D.L. Plucknett (1979) A Geographical Atlas of World Weeds. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

listed as "present" in Brasil (the species is present , but its rank of importance is unknown)

1.03

no evidence

2.01

Floridata.com LC (1996-2001) Floridata - Encyclopedia of Plants and Nature. [Floridata 10266 Rebel Circle, Tallahassee, Florida 32311] Available: http://www.floridata.com/ref/A/acal_his.cfm

Location: Chenille plant is native to New Guinea, the Malay Archipelago and other islands in the East Indies.

2.02

2.03

Floridata.com LC (1996-2001) Floridata - Encyclopedia of Plants and Nature. [Floridata 10266 Rebel Circle, Tallahassee, Florida 32311] Available: http://www.floridata.com/ref/A/acal_his.cfm

1) Hardiness: USDA Zones 10B - 12. Chenille plant does not tolerate frost. Requires humid environment/freuqent watering

2.04

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?316293 (27 March 2002)

Native range:

Asia-Tropical: Papua New Guinea [possibly native in Bismark Archipelago]

2.05

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?316293 (27 March 2002)

widely cultivated

3.01

1)Baker. 1877. Flora of Mauritius and the Seychelles. L. Reeve and Co. London. 2)Holm, L.; J.V. Puncho; J.P. Herberger & D.L. Plucknett (1979) A Geographical Atlas of World Weeds. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

1) naturalized on Mauritius 2)listed as present in Brasil (the species is present and behave as a weed, but its rank of importance is unknown)

3.02

no evidence

3.03

Holm, L.; J.V. Puncho; J.P. Herberger & D.L. Plucknett (1979) A Geographical Atlas of World Weeds. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

listed as "'present" in Brasil (the species is present and behave as a weed, but its rank of importance is unknown)

3.04

not known to be invasive

3.05

Holm, L.; J.V. Puncho; J.P. Herberger & D.L. Plucknett (1980) A Geographical Atlas of World Weeds. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A. segetalis was listed as a serious weed in Mozambique. A. alopeculoides in Dominican Republic, A. australis in japan, A. ciliata in Gahna, A. fallax in Malaysia, and A. indica in Sudan were listed as principal weeds.

4.01

no evidence

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

Ybalmea, R.; Lopez, R. G. (1998) A note on the utilization of Acalipha [Acalypha ] hispida in the formulation of calf concentrates from home raw materials. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science, 1998, Vol.32, No.4, pp.399-402, 10 ref.  

AB: A total of 12 Holstein calves of both sexes, 10 days old and about 35 kg initial liveweight, were assigned to individual crates until weaning (70 days), in a completely randomized design and fed on milk diets supplemented with concentrate containing 28% Acalypha hispida (contributing 34% of the protein) or a conventional concentrate containing 20% star grass hay. Both supplements were given ad libitum . There were no differences in any of the indicators measured. The percentage of diarrhoea (DM less than or equal to 15%) was higher in the treatment without A. hispida with a greater incidence in the period from 31 to 70 days (46 cases) compared with the treatment with A. hispida with only 4 cases. The possibility of using A. hispida in the proportions studied was demonstrated.

4.06

no evidence

4.07

Russell, A.B, J.W.Hardin, L. Grand, and A. Fraser (1997) Poisonous Plants of North Carolina.online homepage. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, North Carolina State University. Available: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm

Mode : Ingestion, dermatitis.
Poisonous Part: Milky sap from leaves and stems.
Symptoms: Ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Acute dermatitis after contact with milky sap.
Toxic Principle: Diterpene esters.
Severity: CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION SEVERE! "

4.08

Floridata.com LC (1996-2001) Floridata - Encyclopedia of Plants and Nature. [Floridata 10266 Rebel Circle, Tallahassee, Florida 32311] Available: http://www.floridata.com/ref/A/acal_his.cfm

Requires moist, humid environment

4.09

1)NeoInformatics (2000) NeoFlora online database. NeoInformatics. Available: http://www.neoflora.com/index.html 2)http://www.msue.msu.edu/imp/modop/00000013.html 3)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/ACAHISA.PDF 4)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1821.html

1)Light range: partial shade to sun 2)prefers protection from direct sun in summer 3)It grows and flowers best in full sun 4)Light Shade

4.1

1)NeoInformatics (2000) NeoFlora online database. NeoInformatics. Available: http://www.neoflora.com/index.html 2)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/ACAHISA.PDF

1)Soil range: sandy loam to loam 2)acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay;

4.11

Floridata.com LC (1996-2001) Floridata - Encyclopedia of Plants and Nature. [Floridata 10266 Rebel Circle, Tallahassee, Florida 32311] Available: http://www.floridata.com/ref/A/acal_his.cfm

Description: Chenille plant is an erect, sparsely branched shrub that can get 6-12' high with a spread of 3-6'. Potted plants are kept considerably smaller. The evergreen leaves are oval, 4-9" long, 3-4" wide, and pointed on the tips. Chenille plant is dioecious, meaning that the staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers are on separate plants. The pistillate flowers are purple, bright red or crimson, and clustered in velvety catkins, 8-20" long and an inch in diameter. They are dense and fluffy, like a cat's tail, and they appear intermittently throughout the whole year as long as conditions are favorable. The cultivar, 'Alba' has creamy-white catkins.

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial shrub

5.02

Euphorbiaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

shrub

6.01

no evidence

6.02

TROPILAB® INC. Tropical Garden Plant Seeds. [TROPILAB® INC., 8240 Ulmerton Road, Largo, Fl. 33771 - 3948. USA. (727) 531-3538 (phone). ] Available: http://www.tropilab.com/gardenplants.html

"Male flowers seldom appear on this species in Hawaii."

6.03

no evidence

6.04

Floridata.com LC (1996-2001) Floridata - Encyclopedia of Plants and Nature. [Floridata 10266 Rebel Circle, Tallahassee, Florida 32311] Available: http://www.floridata.com/ref/A/acal_his.cfm

"Chenille plant is dioecious, meaning that the staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers are on separate plants."

6.05

no evidence

6.06

no evidence

6.07

7.01

no evidence

7.02

Krebs, S. (1983) The increasing popularity of Acalypha. Cultivars from Denmark dominate the selection. [FT: Acalypha im Kommen. Sorten aus Dänemark bestimmen das Sortiment.] Deutscher Gartenbau, 1983, Vol.37, No.42, pp.1940-1941

AB: " A. hispida and A. wilkesiana are grown as pot plants. "

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

fruit a dry capsule

7.07

no evidence

7.08

no evidence

8.01

normally does not produce fruit in cultivation because only female plants are grown

8.02

no evidence

8.03

no evidence

8.04

no evidence

8.05

no evidence


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This page updated 30 September 2005