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

Dianella tasmanica Hook. f.; Tasman flax lily, blue flax lily

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

1

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

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

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

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

y

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

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

y

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

Australia: Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN)
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov2/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?dianella+tasmanica (01 April 2005)

2.02

2.03

(1) Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a-11 ; (2)Although not very cold-tolerant, this species can survive in sheltered stable environments in dappled shade, such as a woodland, if temperatures do not drop far below zero for long periods (3)for use beside a pond or in a rockery [wet conditions] (4)For damp, half shady or sunny areas.[moist conditions] (5)Plants Preferring Moist Conditions -- If you have a constantly moist area or boggy section you wish to plant then some of these plants may be for you. (6)can handle drought conditions; It is hardy to 20 degrees or lower. (7)Suitable for xeroscaping

(1) http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55204/index.html; (2) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Dianella+tasmanica&CAN=COMIND (3)http://www.molestationnursery.com/plantdb/complete.asp (4)http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:5Ejzf33PTusJ:www.oystercoveseeds.com
/seedLists/cottageGardenList.doc+%22Dianella+tasmanica%22+fodder&hl=en (5)http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/resources/waterlovers.htm (6)http://www.californiagardens.com/Plant_Pages/dianella_tasmanica.htm (7)davesgarden.com/pf/go/54322/

2.04

Australia: Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN)
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov2/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?dianella+tasmanica (01 April 2005)

2.05

(1) Southern California (2) Florida, Ohio, Luisiana, Georgia (3)South Africa (4)New Zealand

(1) http://www.smgrowers.com/info/dianella.asp (2) http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54322/ (3)www.malabar-farm.co.za/exp_per_d.html (4)http://www.nikauhill.co.nz/plants.asp?page=5&cat=a2z

3.01

no evidence

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

no evidence

3.05

no evidence

4.01

no descrition of these traits

http://www.smgrowers.com/info/dianella.asp

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

Deer don’t sem to eat it.

http://www.calfloranursery.com/plinfo.html

4.05

no evidence

4.06

no evidence

4.07

(1)The fruit of this species can cause irritation to the digestive tract (2)Danger:Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested (3)The berries of this and other species have variously been reported as being edible and used as “bush tucker” in small quantities [no evidence of serious poisonings]

(1)http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Dianella+tasmanica&CAN=COMIND (2)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54322/ (3)http://montereybaynsy.com/D.htm

4.08

form small thickets [This is a grass-like plant that grows in moist habitats making fire unlikely]]

http://www.calfloranursery.com/plinfo.html

4.09

(2)Grows best in partial shade to deep shade. (3)it has excellent application in dry, dark shade

(2)http://www.australianplants.com/plants4.html (3)http://montereybaynsy.com/D.htm

4.1

(1)The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. (2)well drained leafy soil. (3)humus rich, well-drained soil. (4)Moist peaty soil.

(1)http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Dianella+tasmanica&CAN=COMIND (2)http://www.binnyplants.co.uk/plants.php?by=letters&expand=5&startat=1&show=3705 (3)http://www.abulk.com.au/buy/index.html?target=Ornamental_Native_GrassesDianella_tasmanica.html (4)http://www.woottensplants.co.uk/search/search_results_detail.asp?varietyid=1831

4.11

An evergreen perennial growing to 1m by 0.5m

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Dianella+tasmanica&CAN=COMIND

4.12

a perennial up to 1 m high

5.01

Requires a well-drained neutral to acid soil

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Dianella+tasmanica&CAN=COMIND

5.02

Liliaceae

5.03

perennial

5.04

Dianella revoluta is considered a geophyte

Morgan, J. W. 1998. Comparative Germination Responses of 28 Temperate Grassland Species. Aust. J. Bot., 46, 209–219

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Propagation Methods: From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall (2)Sow from January to July - germination usually takes place in 30 - 90 days at 20-25 C.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55204/index.html (2)http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/us/en/product/6202/1

6.03

no evidence

6.04

hermaphrodite

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Dianella+tasmanica&CAN=COMIND

6.05

(1) buzz-pollinated by native bees (Halictidae)

Andrew B. Hingston. 1999. Affinities between southern Tasmanian plants in native bee visitor profiles. Australian Journal of Zoology, 47, 361-384.

6.06

Spreads slowly by underground stolons, usually acting as a clump although I have received one complaint from a gardener who said it took over a well watered area of a garden in Southern California. [no evidence that it reproduces by fragmentation but grows near water, so fragments may break off during flood events]]

http://montereybaynsy.com/D.htmbin/arr_html?Dianella+tasmanica&CAN=COMIND

6.07

don't know

7.01

no evidence

7.02

grown as an ornamental

7.03

no evidence

7.04

fleshy fruit

7.05

no evidence

7.06

fruit a deep blue berry

http://www.smgrowers.com/info/dianella.asp

7.07

no evidence

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

127 gerninants per gram of seeds

http://www.florabank.org.au/support/facts/Seed%20data%20sheet%206.%20Liliaceae.pdf

8.02

(1)average need 83 days to germinate (2)Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 25°c

(1)http://www.florabank.org.au/support/facts/Seed%20data%20sheet%206.%20Liliaceae.pdf (2)http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Dianella+tasmanica&CAN=COMIND

8.03

no evidence

8.04

Dianella is able to tolerate fairly severe frost, but dies back completely during cold, dry winters.[regrowth from roots]

http://www.dispatch.co.za/1997/09/20/page%204b.htm

8.05

no evidence