Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Calathea majestica


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -1


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

Calathea majestica (J. Linden) H. Kennedy Family - Marantaceae. Common Name(s) - none. Synonym(s) - Calathea gigas Gagnepain; C. imperialis (Burgerstein & Abel) L. H. Bailey & Raffill; C. ornata (Lemaire) Körnicke var. majestica (J. Linden) Regel; Maranta imperialis Burgerstein & Abel;M. majestica J. Linden

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01)

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

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”

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)

n

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

-2

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

3.04

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

n

0

3.05

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

n

0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

4.03

Parasitic

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

4.05

Toxic to animals

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

n

0

4.09

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

y

1

4.10

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

n

0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

5.01

Aquatic

n

0

5.02

Grass

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

n

0

5.04

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

   

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

 

6.02

Produces viable seed.

n

-1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y

-1

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y

1

6.07

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

   

7.01

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

   

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

8.02

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

 

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

 

8.05

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

   

Total score:

-1

Supporting data:

Notes

Reference

1.01

No evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Native to tropical rainforests at 500-1500' elevation in the Amazon Basin from southern Colombia to Peru and in notherwestern Brazil (2)Coca…alt. ca. 350 m.s.m. [Native to Ecuador] (3)Parque Nacional Manu…Disturbed forest at base of steep ridge. Altitude: 400-450m. [Peru]

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI. (2)http://fm1.fieldmuseum.org/vrrc/?page=view&id=64198&PHPSESSID=5dbfa4e2bd83b9ebeeb9c34f109b7922 [Accessed 24 April 2008]

2.02

2.03

(1)Calathea ornata (synonym): Hardy in zones 10 and 11

(1)Riffle, R. L. 1998. The Tropical Look. An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscape Plants. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

2.04

(1)Native to tropical rainforests at 500-1500' elevation in the Amazon Basin from southern Colombia to Peru and in notherwestern Brazil

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

2.05

(1)It is also cultivated in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Australia, North America and Europe.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

3.01

No evidence of naturalization despite widespread use as an ornamental.

 

3.02

3.03

3.04

3.05

(1)"Calathea zebrina cultivated and escaped in wet regions, Puerto Rico"

Liogier, H.A. and L.F. Martorell. 1982. Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: a systematic synopsis. First edition. Editorial de la universidad de Puerto Rico. 342 Pages

4.01

No evidence

4.02

Unknown

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Unknown

4.05

No information for C. majestica, but no evidence of toxicity in other species. (1)Calathea—(Calathea argyraea) non-toxic (2)Calathea: Non-toxic to pets (3)Calathea insignis [non-toxic to cats] (4)Calathea zebrina: Non-toxic (5)Rattlesnake plant Calathea spp.[Safe plants]

(1)http://lancaster.unl.edu/factsheets/031.htm [Accessed 24 April 2008] (2)http://www.sniksnak.com/plants.html [Accessed 24 April 2008] (3)http://www.cfa.org/articles/plants-non-toxic.html [Accessed 24 April 2008] (4)http://members.tripod.com/veiledchameleonca/non-toxic_plants.htm [Accessed 24 April 2008] (5)http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/PoisPlant/SAFE-COM.htm [Accessed 24 April 2008]

4.06

Unknown

4.07

No information for C. majestica, but no evidence of toxicity in other species. (1)Calathea—(Calathea argyraea) non-toxic (2)Calathea: Non-toxic to pets (3)Calathea insignis [non-toxic to cats] (4)Calathea zebrina: Non-toxic (5)Rattlesnake plant Calathea spp.[Safe plants]

 

4.08

(1)Herb 4-9.5' tall…native to tropical rainforests [growth form and habitat do not promote fire]

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

4.09

(1)Calathea is tolerant of lower light conditions making it a fine houseplant (2)With their dislike of exposure to direct sun, which can burn their leaves and prove fatal, the stunning Calatheas are a great choice for those shady areas.

(1)http://www.toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?family=Marantaceae [Accessed 21 April 2008] (2)http://waterroots.com/marantaquartet.htm [Accessed 24 April 2008]

4.10

(1)Your soil for Calathea should be highly organic and well drained. Use plenty of coarse material in the soil mix to help water flow through. A commercial cactus mix is fine. Never allow roots to be soaked with standing water but they do enjoy continuous availability of water in their soil.

(1)http://www.toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?family=Marantaceae [Accessed 21 April 2008]

4.11

(1)Herb 4-9,5' tall.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

4.12

Unknown

5.01

Terrestrial herb

5.02

Marantaceae

5.03

Marantaceae

5.04

Unknown, but other species in genus possess tuberous roots (1)Calathea allouia is a perennial species which forms clusters of 1 m in height. It has ovoid or cylindrical, tuberous roots which ar 2 to 8 cm long and 2 to 4 cm in diameter. The leaves have an enveloping base forming short pseudostems; the petioles are long and striated, the leaf blades elliptical - similar to those of rattan palm - and measure 20 to 60 x 5 to 20 cm. The flowers are white, approximately 2 to 5 cm long, with a staminode and trilocular ovary. Tuberization begins at the end of the fibrous roots.

(1)http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0646e/T0646E0n.htm [Accessed 24 April 2008]

6.01

Unknown

6.02

(1)Most species in the Hawaiian Islands rarely set fruit unless hand-pollinated

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

6.03

6.04

(1)Species tend to be self-compatible and hybrids are often possible between species in the same section of the genus.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

6.05

(1)The Marantaceae are characterized by an unusual pollination mechanism, involving explosive, secondary pollen release. While the flower is still in bud, pollen is shed onto the back of the style behind the stigma. When the flower opens, the style is under tension, enfolded and held in place by the hooded (cucullate) sterile stamen. A bee, probing for nectar, depresses an appendage on the hooded staminode, releasing the style and allowing it to spring forward, bringing the stigma in contact with pollen on the bee and at the same time depositing fresh pollen. Because of this specialized pollination mechanism and the absence of sitable pollinators in Hawaii, most species do not set fruit unless hand pollinated [Family Maranataceae]...Euglossine bees are the main pollinators in the wild. Some species have flowers that are naturally closed at maturity but are forced open by bees, which then pollinate them. Most species in the Hawaiian Islands rarely set fruit unless hand-pollinated [Genus Calathea]

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

6.06

(1)Propagation is by root division. (2)Calathea lietzei "plants spread mainly by vegetative means, providing an easy means of propagation." [similar morphology suggests that C. majestica can spread in a similar way] (3)Calathea majestica (Calathea princeps). This species, likely an escape from cultivation, spreads aggressively by rhizomes [although an unpublished personal observation, this note is included to support the previous references that C. majestica is capable of vegetative spread] (4)Calatheas grow by means of a creeping rhizome. (They are not at all invasive). Your plant will expand quickly enough to fill a decorative pot or that shady area in your garden.

(1)http://www.toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?family=Marantaceae [Accessed 21 April 2008] (2)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI. (3)Space, J. 2008. Personal Communication. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) 11007 E. Regal Dr. Sun Lakes, AZ (4)http://members.iinet.net.au/~meckms/Calathea%20ornata%20'Roseolineata'%20-%20Buyers%20info.pdf [Accessed 24 April 2008]

6.07

Unknown

7.01

 

7.02

(1)After C. zebrina, it is the second most widely cultivated of the purely decorative Marantaceae.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated In The Hawaiian Islands And Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

7.03

Not grown with produce, and seeds rarely, if ever produced.

7.04

(1)Seeds arillate [Genus description, no info. On seeds of C. majestica, if seeds are produced, probably bird or animal dispersed]

(1)Wagner, W. L, D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of the Hawaiian Islands. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

7.05

Unknown

7.06

(1)Seeds arillate [Genus description, no info. On seeds of C. majestica, if seeds are produced, probably bird or animal dispersed]

(1)Wagner, W. L, D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of the Hawaiian Islands. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

7.07

Unknown [Ant dispersal common in many species]

 

7.08

Unknown

8.01

Unknown

8.02

Unknown

8.03

Unknown

8.04

Unknown

8.05

Unknown


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