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

Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree)

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

1

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

1

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

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

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

y

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

y

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

4.1

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

y=1, n=0

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

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

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

y

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

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

n

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

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:

7.5

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1)Commonly grown as an ornamental and shade tree in South Africa but invasive in coastal bush, forest margins and river banks. A problem species in Florida and Australia. In Queensland, it is considered to be the most important threat to the conservation of remnant native forests. (2)This plant is listed as a Category 1 plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council as it is quite invasive and disruptive of native plant communities. An eradication effort is underway in many areas of Florida.
(3)Naturalized in Hawaii.

(1) and (3)http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicamp.htm (2)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198501480.html

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)native to China (2)From China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan. Plants in Florida only grow to half the size of those in the native range, and plants in the Carribean are even smaller.

(1)http://gardenbed.com/C/4468.cfm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cinn_cam.cfm

2.02

2.03

(2)USDA zones 9B - 11. (3)USDA zones 8-10

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)Southern Trees. CD-Rom database. (3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cinn_cam.cfm

2.04

A problem species in Florida and Australia. In Queensland, it is considered to be the most important threat to the conservation of remnant native forests.

http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicamp.htm

2.05

Introduced to several countries.

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

3.01

(1)Commonly grown as an ornamental and shade tree in South Africa but invasive in coastal bush, forest margins and river banks. A problem species in Florida and Australia. In Queensland, it is considered to be the most important threat to the conservation of remnant native forests. (2)This plant is listed as a Category 1 plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council as it is quite invasive and disruptive of native plant communities. An eradication effort is underway in many areas of Florida.
(3)Naturalized in Hawaii.

(1) and (3)http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicamp.htm (2)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198501480.html

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

(1)Commonly grown as an ornamental and shade tree in South Africa but invasive in coastal bush, forest margins and river banks. A problem species in Florida and Australia. In Queensland, it is considered to be the most important threat to the conservation of remnant native forests. (2)This plant is listed as a Category 1 plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council as it is quite invasive and disruptive of native plant communities. An eradication effort is underway in many areas of Florida. (3)US Southeast Invasive species

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicamp.htm (2)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198501480.html (3)http://www.exoticpestplantcouncil.org/fslist.cfm

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence

http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicamp.htm

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

No information [probably unpalatable due to camphor]

4.05

'Australian research indicates that camphor poisoning may be having damaging effects on wildlife. The green fruits, leaves, and roots are toxic and the fruits are high in chemicals known to cause sterility in birds. Camphor trees have been associated with fish kills and the absence of frogs in nearby wetlands. '

http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cinn_cam.cfm

4.06

Pests recorded
Insect pests:
Atysa marginata
Charaxes bernardus
Chilasa epycides
Eriogyne pyretorum
Ivela eshanensis
Mesoneura rufonata
Oberea fusciventris These insects were not found to be recognized pests.
(2) This site lists 77 species of fungi to be associated with C. camphora.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

Camphor in large doses is toxic to humans. It stimulates the central nervous system and may affect respiration or cause convulsions [no evidence of accidental poisoning by humans]

http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cinn_cam.cfm

4.08

No information

4.09

(1)C. camphora is a light-demanding species that readily colonizes exposed fertile soils. As a seedling it survives light shade, but once above 2-3 m tall it requires full overhead light. (2)full sun or light part-day shade

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://gardenbed.com/C/4468.cfm

4.1

C. camphora prefers light/medium sandy loam to sandy clay loam, and freshly drained fertile soils. The pH value ranges from acid to neutral, but the species can tolerate saline soils (<0.2%).

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

4.11

No evidence - not a vine.

http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicam.htm

4.12

Develops extensive monospecific stands which prevent regeneration of native trees and shrubs.

http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicam.htm

5.01

'C. camphora is a large to medium-size evergreen tree…'.

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

5.02

5.03

5.04

6.01

'In China and India it flowers in April-May, and the fruits ripen in October-November.'

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

6.02

'Seedlings may suffer slight frost damage in some years …'.

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

6.03

No information

6.04

No information

6.05

Unlikely, based on open morphology of small flowers

6.06

(1)Propagation by seed. (2)Can spread from root sprouts (?)

(1)http://www.ci.la.ca.us/BOSS/streettree/CinnamomumCamphora.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cinn_cam.cfm

6.07

No information

7.01

Probably not as the seeds do not have any means of attachment.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cinn_cam.cfm

7.02

Ornamental shade tree

Horticopia plant master. CD-ROM database.

7.03

no produce

7.04

'The globular fruit is 7-8 mm wide and purplish-black.'

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

7.05

(1) Often grows along riverbanks in native habitat [seeds miight float] (2)Seeds dispersed by frugiverous birds. Seeds are also dispersed by water.

(1)www.floridata.com/ref/C/cinn_cam.cfm (2)http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicam.htm

7.06

Seeds dispersed by frugiverous birds. Seeds are also dispersed by water.

http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicam.htm

7.07

no evidence

7.08

Seeds dispersed by frugiverous birds. Seeds are also dispersed by water.

http://www.hear.org/pier3/cicam.htm

8.01

Unlikely -- 1-seeded fruit, 'The globular fruit is 7-8 mm wide and purplish-black.'

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

8.02

(1)Camphor seed does not remain viable for long and should be planted in the greenhouse as soon as it ripens. (2)A maximum of 1% of seeds of C. camphora remained viable at 12 months post-sowing under field conditions (3)the seed has a short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cinn_cam.cfm (2)Panetta-F-D. 2001. Seedling emergence and seed longevity of the tree weeds Celtis sinensis and Cinnamomum camphora. Weed-Research. 41 (1): 83-95. (3)http://gardenbed.com/C/4468.cfm

8.03

Controlled by girdling and herbicide treatment. [specific herbicide not mentioned].

http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/camphor.html

8.04

No information

8.05

Don’t know.