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

Eugenia uniflora (Eugenia michelii, Surinam cherry, pitanga, Brazil cherry, Barbados cherry)

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

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

y

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

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

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

y

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

y

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

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

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

y

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

12

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1)In Hawai‘i, “very sparingly naturalized in low elevation mesic sites, especially valley floors, 30-730 m” (2)Widely planted in central and south Florida, especially for hedges (Maxwell and Maxwell 1961, Watkins 1970). Noted as escaping cultivation and invading hammocks in south-central and south Florida (Long and Lakela 1971,Tomlinson 1980, Wunderlin 1982). Has invaded Dade and Broward County hammocksin high numbers, becoming a target of eradication by park managers. ... Also listed as invasivein Hawaii (Wester 1992). ...Now reported from over 20 Floridanatural areas, including national wildlife refuges and rare scrub habitat, in Dade,Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Highlands, Lee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, and Pinellascounties .' (3) It is cultivated and naturalized in Argentina, Venezuela and Colombia; also along the Atlantic coast of Central America; and in some islands of the West Indies–the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and in the Bahama

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/euuni.htm (2)http://216.239.33.104/search?q=cache:qyqTLKshXFQJ:
www.fleppc.org/pdf/Eugenia%2520uniflora.pdf+Eugenia+uniflora&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (3)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1) It is adapted to both subtropical and tropical climates and is hardy to 22F when full grown.Native range extends from Surinam through Uruguay. (2)Origin: Brazil. Unlike most other members of this genus, which are native to southeastern Asia, the Surinam Cherry is indigenous to tropical Brazil.

(1)http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/surinam_cherry.htm (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Eugenia_uniflora.html

2.02

(1)Rarely cultivated or grown outside of the Americas.(2) Native range: South America, now pantropical (3)Surinam cherry is a adaptable plant and can be grown in tropical and subtropical zones.

(1)http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/surinam_cherry.htm (2)http://www.hear.org/pier/euuni.htm (3)http://www.tropilab.com/surinamcherry.html

2.03

(1)USDA: 10-12 (2) In the Philippines, it thrives from sea-level to 3,300 ft (1,000 m); in Guatemala, up to 6,000 ft (1,800 m). (3)In the tropics it can be found at elevations between sea level and 1800 m. It is well adapted to areas of high relative humidity, but it withstands a long dry season. 

(1)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Eugenia_uniflora.html (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html (3)http://ecocrop.fao.org/

2.04

(1) It is adapted to both subtropical and tropical climates and is hardy to 22F when full grown.Native range extends from Surinam through Uruguay. (2)Origin: Brazil. Unlike most other members of this genus, which are native to southeastern Asia, the Surinam Cherry is indigenous to tropical Brazil.

(1)http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/surinam_cherry.htm (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Eugenia_uniflora.html

2.05

Native range: South America, now pantropical.

3.01

(1)In Hawai‘i, “very sparingly naturalized in low elevation mesic sites, especially valley floors, 30-730 m” (2)Widely planted in central and south Florida, especially for hedges (Maxwell and Maxwell 1961, Watkins 1970). Noted as escaping cultivation and invading hammocks in south-central and south Florida (Long and Lakela 1971,Tomlinson 1980, Wunderlin 1982). Has invaded Dade and Broward County hammocksin high numbers, becoming a target of eradication by park managers. ... Also listed as invasivein Hawaii (Wester 1992). ...Now reported from over 20 Floridanatural areas, including national wildlife refuges and rare scrub habitat, in Dade,Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Highlands, Lee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, and Pinellascounties .' (3) It is cultivated and naturalized in Argentina, Venezuela and Colombia; also along the Atlantic coast of Central America; and in some islands of the West Indies–the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and in the Bahama

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/euuni.htm (2)http://216.239.33.104/search?q=cache:qyqTLKshXFQJ:
www.fleppc.org/pdf/Eugenia%2520uniflora.pdf+Eugenia+uniflora&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (3)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

3.02

No evidence

3.03

"Considered weedy in cultivated landscapes."

http://216.239.33.104/search?q=cache:qyqTLKshXFQJ:www.fleppc.
org/pdf/Eugenia%2520uniflora.pdf+Eugenia+uniflora&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

3.04

(1)Has invaded Dade and Broward County hammocks in high numbers, becoming a target of eradication by park managers (M. McMahon, Biological and Environmental Consulting, 1995 personal communication). Forms thickets in hammocks in the Bahamas (Correll and Correll 1982). (2)On FLEPPC list of worst invaders

(1)http://216.239.33.104/search?q=cache:qyqTLKshXFQJ:
www.fleppc.org/pdf/Eugenia%2520uniflora.pdf+Eugenia+uniflora&hl=en&ie=UTF-9 (2)http://www.fleppc.org/Plantlist/03list.htm

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Not recognized as a fodder plant

http://ecocrop.fao.org/

4.05

'The seeds are extremely resinous and should not be eaten. Diarrhea has occurred in dogs that have been fed the whole fruits by children. The strong, spicy emanation from bushes being pruned irritates the respiratory passages of sensitive persons.' [No evidence of specific cases reported].

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

4.06

(1)Also known as a general host for the Mediterranean fruitfly (2) '1918, Britton wrote, in the Flora of Bermuda, that ". . as it harbors the fruit fly, the tree has been largely cut out in recent years.' ... 'Among diseases encountered in Florida are leaf spot caused by Cercospora eugeniae, Helminthosporium sp., and Phyllostica eugeniae; thread blight from infection by Corticium stevensii; anthracnose from Colletotrichum gloeosporioides; twig dieback and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani; and mushroom root rot, Armillariella (Clitocybe) tabescens.' (3)This site lists 23 fungi to be associated with Euginia uniflora. (4) 'The development of the galls of the midge Eugeniamyia dispar Maia, Mendonca-Jr. & Romanowski, 1996 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) was monitored weekly on its host plant, Eugenia uniflora. ...' 

(1)http://216.239.33.104/search?q=cache:qyqTLKshXFQJ:www.
fleppc.org/pdf/Eugenia%2520uniflora.pdf+Eugenia+uniflora&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html (3)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm (4)TI: Life history of the gall-maker Eugeniamyia dispar Maia, Mendonca-Jr. & Romanowski, 1996 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae). AU: Mendonca-M-de-S {a}; Romanowski-H-P SO: Brazilian-Journal-of-Biology. [print] May, 2002; 62 (2): 277-283..

4.07

(1) 'The seeds are extremely resinous and should not be eaten. Diarrhea has occurred in dogs that have been fed the whole fruits by children. The strong, spicy emanation from bushes being pruned irritates the respiratory passages of sensitive persons.' [No evidence of specific cases reported]. (2) "Respiratory symptoms can result from trimming the plant (Morton 1969)." [no serious cases]

(1) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html (2) http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/index.html

4.08

Suitable for use in fire-retardant gardens

http://www.glenforrestfirebrigade.org/garden.asp

4.09

(1)Plants like full sun (2)Sun Exposure: Full sun or light shade (3)full sun / partial shade (4)plant grows in part shade/part sun

(1)http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/surinam_cherry.htm (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Eugenia_uniflora.html (3)http://www.tropilab.com/surinamcherry.html (4)http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/EUGUNIA.PDF

4.1

(1) '… and grows in almost any type of soil.' (2) ' … and adaptable to all soil conditions not subjectto flooding.' (3) 'The Surinam cherry grows in almost any type of soil–sand, sandy loam, stiff clay, soft limestone–and can even stand waterlogging for a time, but it is intolerant of salt.'

(1)http://www.tropilab.com/surinamcherry.html (2)http://216.239.33.104/search?q=cache:qyqTLKshXFQJ:
www.fleppc.org/pdf/Eugenia%2520uniflora.pdf+Eugenia+uniflora&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (3)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

4.11

Not a vine.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

4.12

It grows wild in thickets on the banks of the Pilcomayo River in Paraguay.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

5.01

The Surinam cherry is a bush or small tree to 25ft in height.

http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/surinam_cherry.htm

5.02

Myrtaceae

5.03

Myrtaceae

5.04

no evidence

6.01

The small cream-colored flowers are produced in profusion in the axils of the leaves.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Eugenia_uniflora.html

6.02

'They remain viable for not much longer than a month and germinate in 3 to 4 weeks. Volunteer seedlings can be taken up and successfully transplanted.'

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

6.03

no evidence

6.04

"Eugenia uniflora is self fertile"

http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/EU/Eugenia%20uniflora.htm

6.05

Melipona scutellaris(40,2%) Apis mellifera scutellata (33,6%) are potential pollinators.

http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache:cTXiQM3ebYYJ:eco.ib.usp.br
/beelab/livro_04_castro.pdf+Eugenia+uniflora+pollinators&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

6.06

Propagation almost always by seed.

http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/surinam_cherry.htm

6.07

(1) 'Surinam cherry seedlings grow slowly; some begin to fruit when 2 years old; some may delay fruiting for 5 or 6 years, or even 10 if in unfavorable situations.' (2)Flowering and fruiting may start when 2 years old under favourable circumstances. The fruits develop and ripen quickly, only 3 weeks after anthesis.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html (2)http://www.ecoport.org/

7.01

berries consume by children, seed is discarded

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

7.02

Probably yes - 'The small, opposite, ovate-lanceolate leaves are glossy green, but immature leaves have a coppery color that adds to the ornamental value of this plant. The Surinam cherry makes an excellent hedge, flowering and fruiting even when severely pruned.'

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Eugenia_uniflora.html

7.03

Weed: potential seed contaminant [seeds are very large - it is hard to image contamination]

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Eugenia+uniflora

7.04

7.05

7.06

(1)Seed, probably spread by birds. (2)Plants visited daily by birds during the fruiting season (Stresau1986). Fruits probably also eaten by small mammals. (3)There may be 1 fairly large, round seed or 2 or 3 smaller seeds each with a flattened side, more or less attached to the flesh by a few slender fibers. 

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/euuni.htm (2)http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:qyqTLKshXFQJ:www.fleppc.org
/pdf/Eugenia%2520uniflora.pdf+Eugenia+uniflora+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (3)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

7.07

no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

7.08

Plants visited daily by birds during the fruiting season (Stresau1986). Fruits probably also eaten by small mammals.

8.01

seeds relatively large. (1) 'Small, 1" around, shiny red to black fruit with prominent lobes.' (2)The fruits are deeply 8-ribbed and usually about 1 inch in diameter (2.5 cm), although plants bearing fruits nearly 2 inches in diameter have been reported….The juicy sweet-acid pulp encloses 1, or sometimes 2, fairly large seeds.'

(1)http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/surinam_cherry.htm (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Eugenia_uniflora.html

8.02

Probably not - 'They remain viable for not much longer than a month and germinate in 3 to 4 weeks.'

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/surinam_cherry.html

8.03

For seedlings and small plants up to ½ inch diameter, use a basal bark treatment with 10% Garlon 4. This species takes a long time to die, and may require a subsequent herbicide application. For larger stems, use a cut-stump treatment with either 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WG209

8.04

The Surinam cherry makes an excellent hedge, flowering and fruiting even when severely pruned.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Myrtaceae/Eugenia_uniflora.html

8.05

Don’t know.