Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Cyathea cooperi


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 8


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

Cyathea cooperi (Scaly tree fern, Lacy Tree Fern, Australian Tree Fern) Synonym: Sphaeropteris cooperi

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

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

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

y

4.1

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

y=1, n=0

n

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

2

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

y

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

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

n

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

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

n

Total score:

8

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1)It has naturalized in Hawaii and is a major problem there. (2)naturalized elsewhere in Australia & in Hawaii

(1)http://www.woodslore.org/cyatheacooperi.htm (2)naturalized elsewhere in Australia & in Hawaii

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)It hails from eastern Australia (2)Native to Australia (3)C. cooperi is naturally found in tropical lowlands, along the coast of Queensland and New South Wales.

(1)http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/treeferns/cooperi.html (2)http://www.woodslore.org/cyatheacooperi.htm (3)http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2003/cyathea-spp.html

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness Range: 10A - 11 (2)Keep well watered. 0-40 C will tolerate full sun and a wide range of climatic conditions [requires moisture but fairly high temperature range implying growth capacity at > 1000 m elevation]

(1)http://www.horticopia.com/hortpix/html/pc1822.htm (2)http://www.home.aone.net.au/heatonsnursery/Descriptions.htm

2.04

(1)It hails from eastern Australia (2)Native to Australia (3)C. cooperi is naturally found in tropical lowlands, along the coast of Queensland and New South Wales.

(1)http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/treeferns/cooperi.html (2)http://www.woodslore.org/cyatheacooperi.htm (3)http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2003/cyathea-spp.html

2.05

(1)Although Cyathea cooperi has been overwintered successfully in England and other cool climates (2)Introduced to Seattle. Naturalized in Hawaii. (3)Florida

(1)http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/treeferns/cooperi.html (2)http://www.woodslore.org/cyatheacooperi.htm (3)http://www.ronsympson.com/generic107.htm

3.01 (1)It has naturalized in Hawaii and is a major problem there. (2)naturalized elsewhere in Australia & in Hawaii (1)http://www.woodslore.org/cyatheacooperi.htm (2)naturalized elsewhere in Australia & in Hawaii

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

(1)It has naturalized in Hawaii and is a major problem there. (2)The Australian tree fern Sphaeropteris cooperi is an invasive species in Hawaiian wet forests where it displaces Cibotium, the dominant native Hawaiian tree fern, where they co-occur. (3)Historically, Phlegmariurus mannii was known from Kauai, West Maui, and Hawaii island (Captain Cook-Kona)....This species was threatened by habitat degradation by feral pigs and goats and stray domestic cattle, and by non-native plants such as Rubus argutus (blackberry), Cyathea cooperi (Australian tree fern) (4)Cyanea undulata -- The primary threats to this species include competition with the non-native plant species...Cyathea cooperi (Australian tree fern) (5)Dense stands of Cyathea were reported to suppress understorey species diversity & biomass

(1)http://www.woodslore.org/cyatheacooperi.htm (2)TI: Growth, leaf characteristics, and spore production in native and invasive tree ferns in Hawaii AU: Durand,-Leilani-Z [Reprint-author]; Goldstein,-Guillermo [Reprint-author] SO: American-Fern-Journal. 2001; 91(1): 25-35. (3)http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-SPECIES/2002/January/Day-28/e687a.htm (4)http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-SPECIES/2002/May/Day-28/e11349a.htm (5)Medeiros, A.C., Loope, L.L., Flynn, T., Anderson, S.J., Cuddhy, L.W & Wilson, K.A. (1992) Notes on the status of an invasive Australian tree fern (Cyathea coopers) in Hawaiian rain forests. American Fern Journal 82, 27-33.

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence of such structures.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know

4.05

No evidence

4.06

No evidence regarding associated pests and pathogens.

4.07

No evidence

4.08

species inhabits wet habitats.

http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2003/cyathea-spp.html

4.09

(1)It will grow well in dappled (but not deep) shade (2)prefers full shade to partial shade or partial sun

(1)http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/treeferns/cooperi.html (2)http://www.horticopia.com/hortpix/html/pc1822.htm

4.1

Tree-ferns grow best in high humidity and high soil moisture conditions.

http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2003/cyathea-spp.html

4.11

No evidence

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Cyatheaceae

5.02

Cyatheaceae

5.03

Cyatheaceae

5.04

Perennial tree fern.

http://plants.usda.gov/

6.01

This plant reproduces by spores which are found on theunderside of mature leaves.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:jE2iBRkTNC8J:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/SPHCOOA.PDF+Sphaeropteris+cooperi&hl=en

6.02

C. cooperi grows very easily from spore.

http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/treeferns/cooperi.html

6.03

No evidence

6.04

No evidence

6.05

no flowers - a tree fern.

6.06

(1)These two species cannot be propagated vegetatively (unlike some other tree-ferns) as they do not produce offsets from the trunk or roots. Propagation from spores must therefore be employed (2)If the tree fern is knocked over these can grow into the ground and develop as normal roots. [but this is not a natural means of spreading by vegetative propagation]

http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2003/cyathea-spp.html

6.07

(1)This is a fast growing tree fern (2)is reasonably fast growing; It will develop a large trunk in a couple of years after planting [best estimate given growth descriptions]

(1)http://exoticsbelgium.homestead.com/musa_treeferns.html (2)http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/APOL9/mar98-4.html

7.01

Probably not - species inhabtis wet habitats.

http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2003/cyathea-spp.html

7.02

(1)Ornamental (2)The tree-ferns Cyathea australis and Cyathea cooperi are commonly grown in gardens and displays for this aesthetic appeal and their hardiness.

(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Cyathea+cooperi (2)http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2003/cyathea-spp.html

7.03

Probably not - no evidence that the species inhabtis cultivated areas.

7.04

Wind-dispersed spores

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/cyathea_cooperi.htm

7.05

[inhabits wet environments; spores might be carried by water]

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/cyathea_cooperi.htm

7.06

Wind-dispersed spores

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/cyathea_cooperi.htm

7.07

Wind-dispersed spores

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/cyathea_cooperi.htm

7.08

Wind-dispersed spores

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/cyathea_cooperi.htm

8.01

a tree fern producing many tiny spores.

8.02

No evidence regarding propagule bank.

8.03

No evidence regarding the use of herbicides to control this species.

8.04

(1)The trunk is pithy on the inside but hard on the outside and is often covered with a mass of tough aerial roots. If the tree fern is knocked over these can grow into the ground and develop as normal roots. (2)when the trunk of a tree fern dries out, it's all over. Normally, the plants don't recover from that.

(1)http://rainforest-australia.com/Scaly_Tree_Fern.htm (2)http://exoticsbelgium.homestead.com/musa_treeferns.html

8.05

(1)It has naturalized in Hawaii and is a major problem there.

(1)http://www.woodslore.org/cyatheacooperi.htm


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