Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Alphitonia zizyphoides


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: 0


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

Alphitonia zizyphoides; toi

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

n

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

n

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

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

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

4

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

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

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:

0


Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

Weediness/Invasive ness:Potentially weedy, naturalized in some areas, but rarely causing problems

http://www.uog.edu/cals/PEOPLE/Pubs/Agrofors/ChsTimbr.pdf

1.03

2.01

A. zizyphoides is a fast growing tree up to 20-30 m tall. It is native to the South Pacific region from Vanuatu to French Polynesia. List of countries with natural populations
Oceania: American Samoa, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu

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

2.02

2.03

(1)Approximate limits north to south: 15°S to 23°S Altitude range: 0 - 800 m (2)Humid to subhumd tropics 0-300 m (3)canopy tree from Lowland broadleaf rain forest

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.uog.edu/cals/PEOPLE/Pubs/Agrofors/ChsTimbr.pdf (3)http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/oc/oc0114_full.html

2.04

A. zizyphoides is a fast growing tree up to 20-30 m tall. It is native to the South Pacific region from Vanuatu to French Polynesia. List of countries with natural populations
Oceania: American Samoa, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu

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

2.05

No evidence of introductions.

3.01

Weediness/Invasive ness:Potentially weedy, naturalized in some areas, but rarely causing problems

http://www.uog.edu/cals/PEOPLE/Pubs/Agrofors/ChsTimbr.pdf

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

"stem: spines absent. Leaves: not modified into spines" [description of the genus]

http://django.harvard.edu/users/jjarvie/Itemscan/Alphitonia.htm

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi?name=Alphitonia+zizyphoides&submit=Submit+Query&search=all

4.04

Probably palatable -- Other Alphitonia spp. Used as fodder

http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp6/alph-exc.html

4.05

No evidence

4.06

No evidence of any associated pests or pathogens.

4.07

"The leaves, which are used as a substitute for soap, produce anhydrosis (Uhe 1974)." [anhydrosis - failure of the sweat glands]

http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/BotDermR/RHAM.html

4.08

A wet forest tree

http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/oc/oc0114_full.html

4.09

" It is likely to have a moderately high weed potential due to its pioneer characteristics."

[a pioneer species suggesting high light requirement]

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

4.1

Soil texture: medium; heavy
- Soil drainage: free
- Soil reaction: acid; neutral.

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

4.11

Not a climber.

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

4.12

No evidence

5.01

A. zizyphoides is a fast growing tree up to 20-30 m tall.

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

5.02

Rhamnaceae

5.03

No evidence

5.04

A. zizyphoides is a fast growing tree up to 20-30 m tall.

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

6.01

No evidence

6.02

means of propagation: seed

http://www.uog.edu/cals/PEOPLE/Pubs/Agrofors/ChsTimbr.pdf

6.03

No evidence

6.04

No evidence

6.05

Bees forage upon this plant

http://www.uog.edu/cals/PEOPLE/Pubs/Agrofors/ChsTimbr.pdf

6.06

Stand establishment using natural regeneration; direct sowing; planting stock.

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

6.07

(1)A. zizyphoides is a fast growing tree up to 20-30 m tall. (2)About six months after flowering, dull black globular fruits, each about 1.5cm across, appear. [Alphitonia spp.] [minimum for a fast growing LARGE tree]

(1CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://rainforest-australia.com/Sarsaparilla.htm

7.01

"Fruit drupaceous; non-fleshy; not multiple; not splitting; not enclosed in, or sitting on, fleshy perianth parts; wingless. Seeds 2-3 per fruit; less than 5 mm, or about 1 cm long; wingless; uniform in cross-section; aril present; endospermic. "[description of the genus; probably not, relatively large seeds]

http://django.harvard.edu/users/jjarvie/Itemscan/Alphitonia.htm

7.02

Locally it valued in traditional medicines and for its wood, which is excellent for local construction, including posts and rafters, for making canoes and as a hot-burning fuelwood (Keating and Bolza, 1982; Bolza and Kloot, 1972). It is very widely used in traditional medicine; the bark and bark sap being used to treat various diseases and ailments. Its leaves were formerly used as soap.

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

7.03

"Fruit drupaceous; non-fleshy; not multiple; not splitting; not enclosed in, or sitting on, fleshy perianth parts; wingless. Seeds 2-3 per fruit; less than 5 mm, or about 1 cm long; wingless; uniform in cross-section; aril present; endospermic. "[description of the genus; probably not, winglees, relatively large seeds]

http://django.harvard.edu/users/jjarvie/Itemscan/Alphitonia.htm

7.04

"Fruit drupaceous; non-fleshy; not multiple; not splitting; not enclosed in, or sitting on, fleshy perianth parts; wingless. Seeds 2-3 per fruit; less than 5 mm, or about 1 cm long; wingless; uniform in cross-section; aril present; endospermic. "[description of the genus; probably not, winglees, relatively large seeds]

http://django.harvard.edu/users/jjarvie/Itemscan/Alphitonia.htm

7.05

Fruit drupaceous; non-fleshy; aril present

http://www.phylodiversity.net/borneo/delta/Itemscan/Alphitonia.HTM

7.06

(1)Fruit drupaceous; non-fleshy; aril present [aril suggests bird dispersal or possible bats but dark color of fruit implicates birds] (2)The birds love the boring looking fruit.[Alphitonia spp.]

(1)http://www.phylodiversity.net/borneo/delta/Itemscan/Alphitonia.HTM (2)http://rainforest-australia.com/Sarsaparilla.htm

7.07

"Fruit drupaceous; non-fleshy; not multiple; not splitting; not enclosed in, or sitting on, fleshy perianth parts; wingless. Seeds 2-3 per fruit; less than 5 mm, or about 1 cm long; wingless; uniform in cross-section; aril present; endospermic. "[description of the genus; probably not, no known means of attachment, seeds might be dispersed externally if aril is carried away with seeds]

http://www.phylodiversity.net/borneo/delta/Itemscan/Alphitonia.HTM

7.08

fruit contains an aril [but don't know if seeds are swallowed]

http://www.phylodiversity.net/borneo/delta/Itemscan/Alphitonia.HTM

8.01

"Fruit drupaceous; non-fleshy; not multiple; not splitting; not enclosed in, or sitting on, fleshy perianth parts; wingless. Seeds 2-3 per fruit; less than 5 mm, or about 1 cm long; wingless; uniform in cross-section; aril present; endospermic. "[description of the genus; probably not, relatively large seeds]

http://django.harvard.edu/users/jjarvie/Itemscan/Alphitonia.htm

8.02

No evidence regarding seed bank.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

toi (Alphitonia zizyphoides) are then pruned, often by cutting almost all of the branches off. This practice does not kill the tree,

http://www.agroforestry.net/overstory/overstory49.html

8.05

Don’t know


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This page updated 30 September 2005