Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Archontophoenix cunninghamiana


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Evaluate, score: 6 (revised 22 January 2008)


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

Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (Wendl.) Wendl. & Drude. Family - Arecaceae. Common Names - piccabeen, bangalow palm, king palm. Synonyms - Jessenia amazonum, Loroma amethystina, L. cunninghamiana, Ptychosperma cunninghamianum.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

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

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

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

2

3.02

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

n=0

y

2

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

0

3.05

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

n=0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=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

n

0

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

n

0

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.1

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

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

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

y

1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

4

-1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-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

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-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

n

-1

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

6

Second Screening

Evaluate

Supporting data:

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

no evidence

1.03

no evidence

2.01

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/
tax_search.pl?Archontophoenix+cunninghamiana (08 July 2002)

Distributional range:
Native:
Australasia: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland

2.02

2.03

(1) http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html
(2) http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Arecaceae/Archontophoenix_cunning.html (4)http://www.palmnursery.com.au/nursery.htm

(1) "Climate Zones: Sub tropical to tropical"
(2) Recommended Temperature Zone
sunset: 21-24; USDA: 9-11
Frost Tolerance: Tender when young, semi tender when mature to 28° F (-2°C) (3)They are much heavier looking than A. alexandrae, and consequntly are more likely to be damaged by heavy winds. Thus they are often better suited to more sheltered areas, while A. alexandrae can take more exposed positions. more cold-tolerant than A. alexandrae. They do like more water than most palms, with some even thriving in poorly drained areas. (4)in sheltered forests and rainforests.

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/
tax_search.pl?Archontophoenix+cunninghamiana (08 July 2002)

Distributional range:

Native:

Australasia: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland

2.05

(1) Dislich, R.; Pivello, V. R. (2002) Tree structure and species composition changes in an urban tropical forest fragment (São Paulo, Brazil) during a five-year interval. Boletim de Botânica, Universidade de São Paulo, 2002, Vol.20, pp.1-11, many ref.
(2) Elkiey, T.; Heikal, M.; Khattab, M. (1985) Accelerating the germination of Seaforthia elegans palm seeds with scarification, sulphuric and gibberellic acids. Gartenbauwissenschaft, 1985, Vol.50, No.6, pp.249-251, 6 ref.
(3) Downer, J.; Hodel, D. (2001) The effects of mulching on establishment of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Becc., Washingtonia robusta H. Wendl. and Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (H. Wendl.) H. Wendl. & Drude in the landscape. Scientia Horticulturae, 2001, Vol.87, No.1/2, pp.85-92, 17 ref.

(1) Brazil, (2) Egypt, (3) California, USA

3.01

(1) Data obtained from this and other studies pointed out to a massive increase in seed production of A. cunninghamiana in a few years within the fragment. I suggest that this invasive palm can be taking advantage of the absence of Euterpe edulis Mart., a native palm which has similar biology, and was locally extinct due to human disturbances. Recommendations to control the invasion include the continuous removal of all Archontophoenix larger than 15 cm DBH, and the establishment of a buffer zone free of Archontophoenix around the fragment to decrease propagule pressure.

(1) Christianini, A. V. 2006. Fecundity, dispersal and predation of seeds of Archontophoenix cunninghamiana H. Wendl.& Drude, an invasive palm in the Atlantic forest. Rev. bras. Bot. 29(4): p.587-594.

3.02

It is possible that this species could be considered an environmental weed, although it is currently invading a disturbed 10-ha forest fragment that may not be considered an intact, natural community. (1) Data obtained from this and other studies pointed out to a massive increase in seed production of A. cunninghamiana in a few years within the fragment. I suggest that this invasive palm can be taking advantage of the absence of Euterpe edulis Mart., a native palm which has similar biology, and was locally extinct due to human disturbances. Recommendations to control the invasion include the continuous removal of all Archontophoenix larger than 15 cm DBH, and the establishment of a buffer zone free of Archontophoenix around the
fragment to decrease propagule pressure. (2) This work reports the invasion of the Reserve of the Cidade Universitária “Armando de Salles Oliveira”
(23o34’ S, 46o43’ W), a small (10 ha) forest fragment, by a palm native of Australia...The high density already achieved by the invader and its tendency to increase even more call for management actions in order to reverse the invasion process. [highly disturbed fragment]

(1) Christianini, A. V. 2006. Fecundity, dispersal and predation of seeds of Archontophoenix cunninghamiana H. Wendl.& Drude, an invasive palm in the Atlantic forest. Rev. bras. Bot. 29(4): p.587-594.

3.03

no evidence

3.04

Possibly. See references from Question 3.02

3.05

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/archontophoenix_alexandrae.htm

Archontophoenix alexandrae might be considered a weed on the Big Island, but limited evidence of ecological impact and no evidence of economic impact

4.01

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html

no description of these traits

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence [most palm leaves are rich in fiber, and will be out of the reach of grazing animals once grown tall but seedlings are possibly palatable]

4.05

no evidence

4.06

no evidence

4.07

no evidence

4.08

no evidence

4.09

(1)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html (2)http://www.floralartmall.com/bangalow.html (3)http://jurassicpalms.com/king.html

(1)Culture: "These palms can be grown in full sun (if the water is kept up to them), or in the shade." (2)Tolerates full sun when mature but needs shade when young. (3)It likes to grow in the forest under story, so grow it in shaded areas.

4.1

(1) http://www.junglemusic.net/palms/archontophoenix-cunninghamiana.htm
(2) http://www.floralartmall.com/bangalow.html (3)http://www.palmseeds.org/catalogv3/product_info.php/cPath/2/products_id/401

(1) Soil requirements: Average moist-soil, good drainage.
(2) Must have well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. (3)well drained soil is needed.

4.11

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html

erect, single stem palm

4.12

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html

grows in monospecific stands in native habitat - see photo (Figure 3)

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

palm; Arecaeae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

palm

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Elkiey, T.; Heikal, M.; Khattab, M. (1985) Accelerating the germination of Seaforthia elegans palm seeds with scarification, sulphuric and gibberellic acids. Gartenbauwissenschaft, 1985, Vol.50, No.6, pp.249-251, 6 ref.

AB: " Mechanical scarification and pre-soaking treatments for 72 h with either water or 1000 p.p.m. GA3 accelerated seed germination."

6.03

(1)http://www.plantapalm.com/centralfl/ObservationSpecies.asp?PalmID=2 (2)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/archontophoenix_alexandrae.htm

(1) 'Hybrids purportedly exist in cultivation … In a small area of Eungella the palms grow sympatrically but there is no recorded evidence of hybridization there.' (2)Members of this genus readily hybridize with each-other (Jones, D. L. 1995. Palms Throughout the World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.)

6.04

http://www.palmseeds.org/catalogv3/product_info.php/cPath/2/products_id/401

Single plants are capable of producing fertile seed.

6.05

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html

Flowers are formed below the crownshaft with the creamy flower stalks holding mauve flowers. [typical Arecaceae flowers; insects, no specific adaptation for pollination]

6.06

http://www.ci.la.ca.us/BOSS/streettree/ArchontophoenixCunninghamiana.htm

no evidence Propagation: seed.

6.07

(1) http://www.plantapalm.com/centralfl/ObservationSpecies.asp?PalmID=2 (2)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html (3)http://www.bigplantnursery.com/notsure_palms.htm

(1)In our climate palms have been grown from seed to maturity in approximately ten years, probably faster in warmer locales. (2) It is quite a fast grower, averaging about 1/3 - 1 metre (1-3 feet) per year. [flowering specimens are usually at least 12 ft high] (4)when young is slow-growing

7.01

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html

large fruit, about 12 mm (1/2 inch) in diameter

7.02

Elkiey, T.; Heikal, M.; Khattab, M. (1985) Accelerating the germination of Seaforthia elegans palm seeds with scarification, sulphuric and gibberellic acids. Gartenbauwissenschaft, 1985, Vol.50, No.6, pp.249-251, 6 ref.

"S. elegans [Archontophoenix cunninghamiana ] is much used in Egypt as a garden and street tree and also as an indoor pot plant. "

7.03

no evidence

7.04

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html

large fruit, about 12 mm (1/2 inch) in diameter

7.05

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html

In their native habitat, they can often be seen growing next to and even in creek beds.

7.06

Feeding ecology of fruit pigeons in subtropical rainforests of south-eastern Queensland.
AU: Innis, G. J.
AA: Division of Conservation, Parks and Wildlife, PO Box 2316, Mt Isa, Qld 4825, Australia.
SO: Australian Wildlife Research, 1989, Vol.16, No.4, pp.365-394, 21 ref.                                            

AB: "An influx of flocks of up to 200 topknot pigeons into upland forest occurred each year in response to the fruiting of Archontophoenix cunninghamiana." [fruit eaten by fruit pigeon]

7.07

no evidence

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

(1)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Archontophoenix/cunninghamiana.html (2)http://www.palmnursery.com.au/nursery.htm (3)http://www.anbg.gov.au/images/photo_cd/arecaceae/&h=377&w=249&prev=
/images%3Fq%3DArchontophoenix%2Bcunninghamiana%26svnum%
3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

(1)"Flowers are formed below the crownshaft with the creamy flower stalks holding mauve flowers. The round green fruit, about 12 mm (1/2 inch) in diameter, turn bright red at maturity." (2)succulent, indehiscent, round drupe, bright red in color; 3/8" in size. [small fruit for palm] (3)can be 1000 fruits on an inflorescence, based on photo

8.02

Figliolia, M. B. (1988) Preservation of seeds of forest species. [FT: Conservação de sementes de essências florestais.] Boletim Técnico do Instituto Florestal (São Paulo), 1988, Vol.42, pp.1-18, 15 ref.

 

AB: " Archontophoenix cunninghamiana seeds failed to germinate after 4 months' storage in all conditions; very few germinated after 2 months. "

[seeds don't survive storage longer than 4 months]

8.03

no evidence

8.04

http://www.huntergardens.org.au/15gundabooka.htm

The growing tip of most Australian palms is edible and provided a nutritious food. Removal of this growth bud killed the palm so it is likely that juvenile and small palms were preferred because of their ease of collection. Some of the palms known to have been used by the Aborigines and growing in the Palm Garden include: Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (Bangalow Palm)

8.05

no evidence


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