Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Agonis flexuosa


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 7


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

Agonis flexuosa (Willd.) Sweet. Family - Myrtaceae Common Names(s) - willow myrtle, willow-peppermint Synonym(s) - Metrosideros flexuosa Willd. (basionym)

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

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

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

n

0

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

1

3.02

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

n=0

3.03

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

n=0

n

0

3.04

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

n=0

y

2

3.05

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

n=0

n

0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

4.10

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

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

5.04

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

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

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

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

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

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

0

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

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

y

1

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

7

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence of domestication that reduces invasive characteristics.

 

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Native to: Western Australia [s.]

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?1783#common [cited 4/11/2011]

2.02

(1) Native to: Western Australia [s.]

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?1783#common [cited 4/11/2011]

2.03

(1) Altitudinal range: near sea level - 200 m.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA198&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011]

2.04

(1) Considered an environmental weed in Victoria where it has invaded heath land and healthy woodland and lowland grassland and grass woodland (potential threat)

(1) Carr, G.W., Yugovic, J.V. and Robinson, K.E. (1992). Environmental Weed Invasions in Victoria. Department of Conservation and Environment. Melbourne

2.05

(1) A common plant of horticulture in Australian gardens and a denizen of old gardens in coastal California and Oregon.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=hOFvbqxfdAgC&pg=PA39&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011

3.01

(1) Considered an environmental weed in Victoria where it has invaded heath land and healthy woodland and lowland grassland and grass woodland (potential threat)

(1) Carr, G.W., Yugovic, J.V. and Robinson, K.E. (1992). Environmental Weed Invasions in Victoria. Department of Conservation and Environment. Melbourne

3.02

(1) Peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) has escaped from a number of gardens and revegetation areas. [scored3.04]

(1) http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Agonis.htm

3.03

No evidence.

 

3.04

(1) Considered an environmental weed in Victoria where it has invaded heath land and healthy woodland and lowland grassland and grass woodland (potential threat)

(1) Carr, G.W., Yugovic, J.V. and Robinson, K.E. (1992). Environmental Weed Invasions in Victoria. Department of Conservation and Environment. Melbourne

3.05

No evidence of congeneric weed that has impacts and control efforts. [The Global Compendium of Weeds lists several species as naturalized/weed]

4.01

(1) No spines, thorns, burrs.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA198&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011]

4.02

Unknown.

4.03

(1) Myrtaceae

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA198&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011]

4.04

(1) Grazing normally provides adequate control after the main stand has been cleared.

(1) http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Agonis.htm

4.05

(1) Grazing normally provides adequate control after the main stand has been cleared. (2) No evidence of toxicity in ToxNet.

(1) http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Agonis.htm (2) http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search [cited 4/12/2011].

4.06

(1) The fungus Uredo rangelii (myrtle rust) has been detected on Agonis flexuosa in the New South Wales central coast. (2) "PucciniaceaeIn April 2010, a rust disease was observed on Agonisflexuosacv. Afterdark(Fig.1a) on a NSW property (Carnegie et al., 2010). The pathogen was identified, based on urediniosporemorphology, as Uredorangelii. This species was distinguished from Puccinia psidiiWinter (see Pathogen Of The Month for May 2010) on the basis of a tonsure on the urediniospore(Fig. 1e) (Simpson et al., 2006). However this is known by South American plant pathologists to bea variable characteristic of Puccinia psidii urediniospores (A. C. Alfenas, pers. comm.). Additionally, DNA sequencing of three gene regions, rDNAITS, elongation factor 1-αand β-tubulin, failed to distinguish Uredo rangelii from Puccinia psidii,even though these regions reliably discriminate other rust species, including cryptic species that are morphologically difficult to distinguish." (3) "None of the three gene regions sequenced support the distinction of U. rangelii from P. psidii, or provide any evidence that a “species complex” exists. As these regions have all been shown to be discriminatory at species level for rusts, including the genus Puccinia, we conclude that the morphological distinction of U. rangelii does not represent a genetically distinct species. Discussion of these results with rust taxonomists indicate that U. rangelii may be better placed as a variety of P. psidii (Puccinia psidii var. rangelii)." In this study, all three cultivars of Agonis flexuosa tested positive as a host for Uredo rangelii.

(1) http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/PC_94039.html [cited 4/11/2011] (2) Simpson, J.A., Thomas & Grgur, K. 2010. Uredo rangelii plant pathogen of the month. Australian Plant Pathology Society. (3) Carnegie, A.J., Glen, M., Mohammed, C. 2010. Rapid screening of commercial forestry species to Uredo ranelii (myrtle rust) and distinguishing U. rangelii from Puccinia psidii (guava rust) Project number: PRC179-0910. Forest and Wood Products Australia. available from: http://fwpa.com.au/latestreports.aspx?s=4

4.07

(1) No evidence of toxicity in PubMed. (2) No evidence of toxicity in ToxNet.

(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Agonis%20flexuosa [cited 4/12/2011] (2) http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search [cited 4/12/2011].

4.08

(1) Fire hazard. (2) Agonis flexuosa is a component of a vegetation community that fire is one of the disturbance regimes. Agonis flexuosa has the recruitment ability following fires and between fires when competition is high. Sapling trees are resistant to intense fire and have vigorous resprouting and increased density of stems even after the most intense fires.

(1) http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Agonis.htm (2) Archibald, R.D., Bowen, B.J., Hardy, G.E.StJ., Fox, J.E.D., Ward, D.J. 2005. Changes to tuart woodland in Yalgorup National Park over four decades. Proceedings 6th National Conference of the Australian Forest History Society Inc.

4.09

(1) Prefer full sun to lightly dappled shade.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=hOFvbqxfdAgC&pg=PA39&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011

4.10

(1) Tolerate of poorly-drained soils. (2) In its native range, Agonis flexuosa occurs most commonly on siliceous or calcareous sandy soils.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=hOFvbqxfdAgC&pg=PA39&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2012 (2) http://books.google.com/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA198&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011].

4.11

(1) Small tree.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=mZEhZMOFLiQC&pg=PT2961&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011

4.12

Unknown.

5.01

(1) Small tree.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=mZEhZMOFLiQC&pg=PT2961&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011

5.02

(1) Myrtaceae

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?1783#common [cited 4/11/2011]

5.03

Unknown.

5.04

(1) Small tree.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=mZEhZMOFLiQC&pg=PT2961&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011

6.01

No evidence.

 

6.02

(1) Seed can be sown in the spring.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=hOFvbqxfdAgC&pg=PA39&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011

6.03

Unknown.

6.04

Unknown.

6.05

(1) Entomophilous, or ornithphilous pollination mechanism, unspecialized. [genus level description]

(1) http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/22478 [cited 4/11/2011]

6.06

Unknown.

6.07

Unknown.

7.01

Unknown.

7.02

(1) A common plant of horticulture in Australian gardens and a denizen of old gardens in coastal California and Oregon.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=hOFvbqxfdAgC&pg=PA39&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011

7.03

No evidence of produce contamination.

 

7.04

(1) "Seeds narrow, teardrop shaped, 0.1x0.03 cm, black, pale brown membranous wing extending from broadest end to 0.1x0.04 cm.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA198&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011]

7.05

(1) Occurs in coast regions in its native range.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA198&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=3emkTejcPIr4swOxqsX5DA&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CE8Q6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/14/2011]

7.06

(1) "Seeds narrow, teardrop shaped, 0.1x0.03 cm, black, pale brown membranous wing extending from broadest end to 0.1x0.04 cm.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA198&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011]

7.07

(1) "Seeds narrow, teardrop shaped, 0.1x0.03 cm, black, pale brown membranous wing extending from broadest end to 0.1x0.04 cm. [no means of external attachment]

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA198&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011]

7.08

(1) "Seeds narrow, teardrop shaped, 0.1x0.03 cm, black, pale brown membranous wing extending from broadest end to 0.1x0.04 cm.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA198&dq=agonis+flexuosa&hl=en&ei=KFmjTdCJBOjYiALH7vT8Ag&sa
=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=agonis%20flexuosa&f=false [cited 4/11/2011]

8.01

Unknown.

8.02

Unknown.

8.03

Unknown.

8.04

(1) Will resprout from stump if damaged. (2) Agonis flexuosa is a component of a vegetation community that fire is one of the disturbance regimes. Agonis flexuosa has the recruitment ability of the following fires and between fires when competition is high. Sapling trees are resistant to intense fire and have vigorous resprouting and increased density of stems even after the most intense fires.

(1) http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Agonis.htm (2) Archibald, R.D., Bowen, B.J., Hardy, G.E.StJ., Fox, J.E.D., Ward, D.J. 2005. Changes to tuart woodland in Yalgorup National Park over four decades. Proceedings 6th National Conference of the Australian Forest History Society Inc.

8.05

Unknown.


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