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

Copernicia prunifera (carnauba wax palm, carnuba wax palm)

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

n

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

n

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

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

n

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

y

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

y

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

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

y

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

8.04

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

y=1, n=-1

n

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

0

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

No evidence

1.03

No evidence

2.01

Copernicia prunifera is native to northeastern Brazil, where it grows in low lying monsoonal areas especially along river banks and lakes.'

Riffle, L. R. and Craft, P. 2003. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Timber Press. Portland. U.S.A.

2.02

2.03

(1)The species has unusual hardiness to cold considering its tropical origins. … it seems hardy in Orlando, Florida (zone 9b/10a). (2)The carnauba wax palm is native to Brazil and like all palms in the Copernicia genus, prefers savanna or open forests that occasionally are subject to flooding. ... Hardiness: USDA Zones 10B - 11.

(1)Riffle, L. R. and Craft, P. 2003. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Timber Press. Portland. U.S.A. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cope_pru.cfm

2.04

Copernicia prunifera is native to northeastern Brazil, where it grows in low lying monsoonal areas especially along river banks and lakes.'

Riffle, L. R. and Craft, P. 2003. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Timber Press. Portland. U.S.A.

2.05

(1)Oddly enough, the plant is not often grown outside Brazil. (2)Florida (3)unusual in Hawaii

(1)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Copernicia/prunifera.html (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP107 (3)http://www.plantapalm.com/centralfl/ObservationSpecies.asp?PalmID=181

3.01

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

Care should be taken to avoid contact with the spiny teeth on the petioles.

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

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Seedlings are used as fodder.

Uhl, N.W. and Dransfield J. 1987. General Palmarum. Allen Press, Inc. Lawerence, Kansas.

4.05

No evidence

4.06

Pseudocercospora coperniciae was listed to be associate with C. prunifera

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

No evidence

4.08

(1)prefers savanna or open forests that occasionally are subject to flooding (2)Trunk smooth on top third, but bears persistent leaf bases on bottom two-thirds. Prefers well-drained soil and arid climate. [not self-cleaning, flammable, arid environment]

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cope_pru.cfm (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP107

4.09

(1)Light: Full sun. (2)Sun Requirements: Full sun to light shade [native savanna environment suggests low shade tolerance]

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cope_pru.cfm (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Palm/Copernicia_prunifera.html

4.1

(1)It seems to thrive on almost any soil except the quite acidic or quite alkaline. (2)It is not picky about soil and is moderately salt tolerant.

(1)Riffle, L. R. and Craft, P. 2003. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Timber Press. Portland. U.S.A. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cope_pru.cfm

4.11

A solitary palm

(1)Riffle, L. R. and Craft, P. 2003. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Timber Press. Portland. U.S.A. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cope_pru.cfm

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Arecaceae

5.02

Arecaceae

5.03

Arecaceae

5.04

The carnauba wax palm grows to 30 ft (9.1 m) tall with a single gray trunk

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

6.01

The a 7-foot long narrow panicles extend wel beyond the leaves and bear brownish yellow bisexual flowers.'

Riffle, L. R. and Craft, P. 2003. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Timber Press. Portland. U.S.A.

6.02

(1) 'Germination remote tubular, …' (2)Propagation: By seeds which germinate in about 1-4 months. (3)The seed can take up to a year to germinate.

(1)Uhl, N.W. and Dransfield J. 1987. General Palmarum. Allen Press, Inc. Lawerence, Kansas. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cope_pru.cfm (3)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Copernicia/prunifera.html

6.03

No evidence

6.04

Bisexual flowers [no information on selfing]

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Palm/Copernicia_prunifera.html

6.05

Typical Arecaceae flowers [insect syndrome]

6.06

Propagation: By seeds which germinate in about 1-4 months.

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

6.07

[reports from Florida and Hawaii indicated roughly 1 ft growth per year, minimum estimate to fruit at least 5 ft]

http://www.plantapalm.com/centralfl/ObservationSpecies.asp?PalmID=181

7.01

no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.02

(1)This moderatly sized palm is excellent in a large patio or courtyard, where the form of its trunk and leaf crown may be appreciated. … The wax from its leaves was formerly a valuable commodity and refineries in Brazil still process it. (2)The carnauba wax palm, Copernicia prunifera, may be one of the most economically important as well as aesthetically pleasing palms around. ... With its ornamental blue/green fan shaped leaves and unique persistent lower leaf bases, this palm is ideal for the tropical home or commercial landscape.

(1)Riffle, L. R. and Craft, P. 2003. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Timber Press. Portland. U.S.A. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cope_pru.cfm

7.03

relatively large seeds. See photo.

http://www.thaipalms.com/encyclopedia/Coperniciaprunifera.html

7.04

Photo showing seeds. No evidence that the propagules have any adaptations for wind dispersal.

http://www.thaipalms.com/encyclopedia/Coperniciaprunifera.html

7.05

prefers savanna or open forests that occasionally are subject to flooding [Possible - if habitat gets flooded].

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

7.06

picture of dark colored fruits [bird dispersal syndrome]

http://www.thaipalms.com/encyclopedia/Coperniciaprunifera.html

7.07

no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

(1) The fruits are 1 inch wide, brown to black, and round. (2)Seed ovoid or globose, basallly attached, with large ovate basla hilum, raphe indistinct, narrow …' (3)Photo showing relative size of seeds. (3)Inflorescense and fruit clusters are extremely long and dense [photo]

(1)Riffle, L. R. and Craft, P. 2003. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Timber Press. Portland. U.S.A. (2)Uhl, N.W. and Dransfield J. 1987. General Palmarum. Allen Press, Inc. Lawerence, Kansas. (3)http://www.thaipalms.com/encyclopedia/Coperniciaprunifera.html (4)http://www.inicia.es/de/ea8ck/palmetum2/palme6g.jpg

8.02

(1)The seed can take up to a year to germinate. (2)Germination: up to 3 months

(1)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Copernicia/prunifera.html (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Palm/Copernicia_prunifera.html

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

single-trunked palme [growing point is at top, plant dies if topped]

8.05

Don’t know