Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Alocasia sanderiana


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -2


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

Alocasia sanderiana W. Bull (Kris plant, Sander's alocasia)

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

n

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

n

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

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

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

n

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

y

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

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

y

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

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

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

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

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

y

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

-2

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

No evidence

1.03

No evidence

2.01

The Kris Plant is a native of the Philippine Islands.

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week030.shtml

2.02

Introduced to several states in southern part of the U.S.

Horticopia Cd-ROM database.

2.03

(1)Elephant's Ears need a minimum temperature of 60º F. [characteristics of the genus Alocasia] (2)medium to high humidity (3)Requires consistently moist soil

(1)http://www.botany.com/alocasia.html (2)http://www.blackjungle.com/ju07000.htm (3)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/53967

2.04

The Kris Plant is a native of the Philippine Islands.

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week030.shtml

2.05

Introduced to several states in southern part of the U.S.

Horticopia Cd-ROM database.

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

(1) Alocasia brisbanensis is listed as a weed in western Australia
(2) Alocasia indica v. Metallica and Alocasia macrorrhizos were registered as envieonmental weed

(1) http://members.iinet.net.au/~weeds/western_weeds/alstoemeia_araceae.htm
(2) http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/weed_control.htm

4.01

No evidence

4.02

Gonzal, L. R., J. A. Sales, and M. A. Sales. 1989. Efficacy of kris plant (Alocasia sanderiana Bull.) extract as herbicide. Lamug, C. B. ;. Gabatin,. R. G. 26-33. [original article unavailable]

http://www.agron.iastate.edu/~weeds/weedbiollibrary/u4nutsg2.html

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know

4.05

[In general about Alocasia] Toxic element: acido oxalic, asparagin, a protein located in this plant. Note: the leaves and stems are most dangerous if they are consumed in great amount.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=
http://pcs.adam.com/ency/article/002868.htm&prev=/
search%3Fq%3DAlocasia%2Bcucullata%26start%3D10%
26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DN

4.06

No evidence of associated pests or pathogens.

4.07

"These species have been recorded as being irritant (Burkill 1935, Souder 1963)." [no indication of degree of problem]

http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/index.html

4.08

Probably not - evergreen

4.09

(1)Warm, humid, shady conditions are required throughout the grow summer and plants need an abundance of water when growing. (2)Does well under low light levels

(1)http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week030.shtml (2)http://www.blackjungle.com/ju07000.htm

4.1

(1)needs good drainage (2)Alocasia sanderiana need a compost of equal parts of peat moss and loam with sand and crushed charcoal added

(1)http://www.blackjungle.com/ju07000.htm (2)http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week030.shtml

4.11

No evidence

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Araceae

5.02

Araceae

5.03

Araceae

5.04

An herbaceous plant in Araceae.

Horticopia Cd-ROM database.

6.01

May flower at anytime during the growing season. Flowers are spathes about 4½ inches long.

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week030.shtml

6.02

Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs [seeds not available]

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/53967

6.03

This is one of the parent of the well known hybrid A. x Amazonica, the other being A. lowii.

http://members.tripod.com/asia_flora/aroids3.htm

6.04

No direct evidence. Probably not - in the genus Alocasia flowers are unisexual.

6.05

Alocasia species were pollinated by specialist pollimators in 1 beetle and 2 fly families

http://www.aroid.org/pollination/beath/pollinators.html

6.06

Alocasia sanderiana are propagated by the division of rhizomes in spring. [but no evidence of natural reproduction by vegetative fragmentation]

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week030.shtml

6.07

Don’t know [vegetative propagation]

7.01

No evidence

7.02

Alocasia sanderiana are grown for their ornamental foliage. Their leaves are very large and beautifully colored.

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week030.shtml

7.03

not a food crop.

7.04

Probably not if the fruits in the genus Alocasia are berries.

7.05

No evidence [grows in moist environments but requires good drainage and no evidence that it grows along streamsides]

7.06

[seeds not available]

7.07

Probably not - no evidence of propagules having any means of attachment.

7.08

[seeds not available]

8.01

[seeds not available]

8.02

No evidence regarding seedbank.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

probably yes, a geophyte able to regenerate from underground parts

8.05

Don’t know


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