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

Caesalpinia major (Caesalpinia jayabo, Caesalpinia globulorum; Hawaii pearls, yellow nicker)

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

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

y

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

y

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

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

n

4.1

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

y=1, n=0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

y

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

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

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

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

y

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

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

y

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:

10

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1)Naturalized on Norfolk Island. (2) '…in some regions spontaneous, occurring from sea level to 2400 m.

(1)http://www.anbg.gov.au/norfolk.gardens/norfolk.plant.list.html (2)Merril, E.D. 1925 An Enumeration of Philippine flowering plants. Manila Burea of Printing.

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Pantropical. (2) 'Native from Madagascar throughout the tropical Asia, the Pacific and the Neotropics; in Hawaii either naturalized or perhaps native, occurring in gulches, on talus slopes and at the edge of open, mesic, coastal forest….' (3)Native to the U.S.

(1)http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html (2) Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (3)http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

2.02

2.03

(1) 6 to 460 m. (2) '…in some regions spontaneous, occurring from sea level to 2400 m. (3)A beach plant [conflicting information]

(1)Wagner et al. 1990. Mannual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press (2)Merril, E.D. 1925 An Enumeration of Philippine flowering plants. Manila Burea of Printing. (3)http://waynesword.palomar.edu/nicker.htm

2.04

(1)Pantropical. (2) 'Native from Madagascar throughout the tropical Asia, the Pacific and the Neotropics; in Hawaii either naturalized or perhaps native, occurring in gulches, on talus slopes and at the edge of open, mesic, coastal forest….' (3)Native to the U.S.

(1)http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html (2) Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (3)http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

2.05

Pantropical (2)Introduced to Taiwan. [a new record but should be native]

(1)http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html (2) The flora of Taipingtao (Aba Itu Island). AU: Huang-Tseng-Chieng {a}; Huang-Shing-Fan; Yang-Kuo-Cheng SO: Taiwania-. 1994; 39 (1-2) 1-26..

3.01

(1)Naturalized on Norfolk Island. (2) '…in some regions spontaneous, occurring from sea level to 2400 m. (3)In Hawaii occurring in gulches, on talus slopes, and at the edge of open mesic, coastal forest 6-460 m

(1)http://www.anbg.gov.au/norfolk.gardens/norfolk.plant.list.html (2)Merril, E.D. 1925 An Enumeration of Philippine flowering plants. Manila Burea of Printing. (3)Wagner et al. 1990. Mannual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

endangered native species in Florida

http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/main.asp?plantID=2754

3.05

Caesalpinia sepiaria (C. decapetala) is listed as a principal weed in the U.S.

Holm et al. An electronic atlas of weeds and invasive plant speceis. Version1. CD-ROM database.

4.01

The stems and leaves, bearing recurved spines, make a thicket of this species practically impossible to move through. The pods are 2-4 seeded, short, inflated and covered with prickles.

http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know. Probably not as the stem and leaves bear curved spines.

4.05

Caesalpinia spp. In general are listed to have toxic seeds. Mode- eaten. Toxic principle-tannins. Causes only low toxicity if eaten. [no evidence of poisoning]

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Caesasp.htm

4.06

Don’t know - did not find any evidence regarding associated pests or pathogens. [default answer when there is no information is no]

4.07

Caesalpinia spp. In general are listed to have toxic seeds. Mode- eaten. Toxic principle-tannins. Causes only low toxicity if eaten. [no evidence of poisoning]

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Caesasp.htm

4.08

Can form thickets but little information available on habitat.

http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html

4.09

It is most often found at the edge of the jungle or in abandoned fields.

http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html

4.1

Don’t know

4.11

A woody climber [No evidence of smothering habit.]

http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html

4.12

The stems and leaves, bearing recurved spines, make a thicket of this species practically impossible to move through.

http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

5.03

A legume - woody climber. No evidence that it can fix nitrogen.

http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html

5.04

6.01

Flowers are unisexual.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

6.02

[germplasm preserved as seeds]

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/cgi-bin/npgs/html/acchtml.pl?1528647 (23 July 2003)

6.03

No evidence

6.04

Don’t know; Flowers are unisexual.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

6.05

Don’t know

6.06

No evidence

6.07

Don’t know

7.01

the pods have prickles on them and could get attached to something. 'The pods are 2-4 seeded, short, inflated and covered with prickles.

http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html

7.02

seeds used to make jewelry

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

7.03

seeds used to make jewelry. Three species with attractive yellow or gray seeds (Caesalpinia major, C. ciliata and C. bonduc) are commonly used for necklaces and bracelets

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

7.04

No evidence that the seeds are winged. - 'Pods indehiscent'

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

7.05

Nickernuts grow wild on beaches of many Caribbean islands and are produced within unusual prickly pods on a scrambling or climbing shrub.

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0901.htm

7.06

Don’t know [very large seeds, but apparently can be found inland from the beach]

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

7.07

the pods have prickles on them and could get attached to animal coats. However did not find any evidence of such kind of dispersal -. 'The pods are 2-4 seeded, short, inflated and covered with prickles.

http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html

7.08

Don’t know [very large seeds, seem to big for most animals to swallow whole]

8.01

Probably not - seeds large. (1)The seeds are nearly round, glossy gray and about 1.5 cm. in diameter. (2)Seeds 1-3(4) grayish yellow(gray when unripe), subglobose, 15 - 25 mm in diameter.

(1)http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html (2) Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

8.02

Probably yes- as it a legume with relatively large seed. (1)The seeds are nearly round, glossy gray and about 1.5 cm. in diameter. (2)Seeds 1-3(4) grayish yellow(gray when unripe), subglobose, 15 - 25 mm in diameter.

(1)http://www.uog.edu/cals/site/POG/caesal.html (2) Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

Don’t know

8.05

Don’t know