Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Cussonia spicata


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -5


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

Cussonia spicata (cabbage tree, kiepersol)

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

1

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

y

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

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

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

n

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

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

8

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

n

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

8.02

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

y=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

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

-5

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

No evidence of naturalization.

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1) Native to South Africa. (2)Cussonia spicata comes from South Africa and Zimbabwe and especially in the latter it is a plant of high altitudes on mountainsides. (3)throughout KwaZulu-Natal and Transkei, from coast to mountains. Also in the Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Northern Province, Swaziland and Mozambique into tropical Africa.

(1)http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/generalbotany/barkfeatures/b0442tx.html (2)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_spicata.htm (3)http://www.kznwildlife.com/for_cussonspi.htm

2.02

List of countries with natural populations
Africa: Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe [this wide range of countries includes some tropical areas but it is a mountain plant]

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

2.03

(1)zone: 9 - 11. (2) Zone 10, Cussonia spicata comes from South Africa and Zimbabwe and especially in the latter it is a plant of high altitudes on mountainsides. (3)It occurs in cool mountain grassland, on the High veldt and in dry woodland. (4)Prefers a high rainfall and does not survive drought.

(1)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=
http://nature.jardin.free.fr/arbre/nmauric_cussonia_spicata.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3D
Cussonia%2Bspicata%26star%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DN (2)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_spicata.htm (3)http://www.saweb.co.za/botany/garden/species/131.html (4)http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm

2.04

(1) Native to South Africa. (2)Cussonia spicata comes from South Africa and Zimbabwe and especially in the latter it is a plant of high altitudes on mountainsides. (2)throughout KwaZulu-Natal and Transkei, from coast to mountains. Also in the Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Northern Province, Swaziland and Mozambique into tropical Africa.

(1)http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/generalbotany/barkfeatures/b0442tx.html (2)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_spicata.htm (2)http://www.kznwildlife.com/for_cussonspi.htm

2.05

(1)Australia (2)New Zealand (3)United Kingdom

(1)http://www.gardenbloom.com.au/statictables/seaside_gardens.asp (2)http://www.succulents.co.nz/index.cfm?CategoryID=8&do=list (3)http://www.brookside-nursery.com/

3.01

No evidence of naturalization.

3.02

'Don’t plant too close to paving or pools - the roots are invasive and may cause damage.'

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

The leaves are reputed to be good cattle fodder.

http://www.succulents.co.za/swollen/cussonia/cussonia_spicata.htm

4.05

No evidence

4.06

The following fungi are listed to be associated with C. spicata: Aecidium cussoniae, Asterina erruginosa, Asterina feruginosa, Meliola amphitricha, Meliola leptidea, Phytophthora sp, Stomiopeltella petiolaris, Stomiopeltella petrolaris. None of the above were found to be of economic importance.

4.07

Probably not. "used in traditional African medicine against malaria"

Gunzinger, J. Msonthi, J. D. Hostettmann, K. (1986) Molluscicidal saponins from Cussonia spicata. Phytochemistry, 1986, Vol. 25, No. 11, pp. 2501-2503, 13 ref.

4.08

Probably not - (1)Evergreen tree. (2) 'Its thick, corky bark is probably an adaptation to protect it from fire.'

(1)http://www.websightdyn.co.za/treehouse/cussonia.html (2)http://www.up.ac.za/academic/botany/garden/species/131.html

4.09

(1)Light: Sun. (2)Grows in full sun and can tolerate shade. (3)Sun or partial shade (4)forest edge species [contradictory information]

(1)http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm (2)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_spicata.htm (3)http://www.landsendtexotics.co.nz/cat_misc.shtml (4)http://treesociety.mweb.co.zw/2003/january.htm

4.1

(1)They need good drainage and do not like being waterlogged. (2)Most soils. (3)Normal soil with compost added [vague]

(1)http://www.succulents.co.nz/index.cfm?CategoryID=8&do=list (2)http://www.landsendtexotics.co.nz/cat_misc.shtml (3)http://www.digitalmall.co.za/retailers/gardenshop/product.asp?sku=355&deptid=21&parentid=1&affiliateID=0

4.11

tree

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

A tall tree in Araliaceae growing to a height of about 47 m.

5.03

A tall tree in Araliaceae growing to a height of about 47 m.

5.04

(1)Succulent roots. (2) Roots are tuberous [It has tuberous roots but is not herbaceous.]

(1)http://www.kobakoba.co.uk/cussonia_spicata.htm (2)http://www.succulents.co.za/swollen/cussonia/cussonia_spicata.htm

6.01

'… and flowers conicle protuberances that attract lots of insects.'

http://www.websightdyn.co.za/treehouse/cussonia.html

6.02

Propagate from seed

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm

6.03

No evidence

6.04

No evidence

6.05

'… and flowers conicle protuberances that attract lots of insects.'

http://www.websightdyn.co.za/treehouse/cussonia.html

6.06

Propagate from seed.

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm

6.07

Fruiting begins at about eight years.

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm

7.01

Probably not - no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.02

(1)The species has several medicinal uses. (2)Economic importance: Environmental: ornamental (fide Dict Gard; Hortus 3)

(1)http://library.thinkquestafrica.org/TQA00198/pmkiepersol.htm (20USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database].
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Cussonia+spicata (13 January 2004)

7.03

No evidence

7.04

'The small fleshy fruits which and soft and purple when mature are eaten by black-eyed bulbuls, louries, starlings, barbets and mousebirds'.

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm

7.05

'The small fleshy fruits which and soft and purple when mature are eaten by black-eyed bulbuls, louries, starlings, barbets and mousebirds'.

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm

7.06

The small fleshy fruits which and soft and purple when mature are eaten by black-eyed bulbuls, louries, starlings, barbets and mousebirds'. (2) Economic importance: Environmental: ornamental (fide Dict Gard; Hortus 3)

(1) http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm
(2) USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database].
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Cussonia+spicata (13 January 2004)

7.07

7.08

Probably yes - Bird dispersed.

http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0075.htm

8.01

No evidence regarding seed size and numbers produced.

8.02

Don’t know

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

Its thick, corky bark is probably an adaptation to protect it from fire.

http://www.saweb.co.za/botany/garden/species/131.html

8.05

Don’t know


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This page updated 30 September 2005