Euphorbia lactea Haw. Family - Euphorbiaceae Common Names(s) - candelabra-cactus, candelabra spurge, false cactus, hat-rack cactus, mottled spurge. Synonym(s) -

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

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

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

2

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

2

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

4.10

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

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

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

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

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:

8

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) "Although, first described scientifically from India and widely naturalized there, the original home of E. lactea is not known."

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

2.02

(1) "Although, first described scientifically from India and widely naturalized there, the original home of E. lactea is not known."

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

2.03

(1) USDA hardiness zones: 10a-11.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/63525/ [Cited 2010 May 2]

2.04

(1) Euphorbia lactea is naturalized in Curacao.

(1) Kairo, M., Ali, B., Invasive species threats in the Caribbean. The Nature Conservancy, Curepe.

2.05

(1) Euphorbia lactea is cultivated in many tropical places and has become naturalized in parts of the Caribbean and Florida.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

3.01

(1) Euphorbia lactea is naturalized in Curacao.

(1) Kairo, M., Ali, B., Invasive species threats in the Caribbean. The Nature Conservancy, Curepe.

3.02

(1) Euphorbia lactea is an invasive species in Anguilla. [no reference to control or impacts]

(1) http://www.gov.ai/documents/Anguilla%20Invasive%20Species%20Strategy%202008%20%282%29.pdf [Cited 2010 May 3].

3.03

(1) No evidence.

(1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/euphorbia_lactea/ [Cited 2010 May 3].

3.04

(1) Euphorbia lactea is an invasive species in Anguilla. [no reference to control or impacts]

(1) http://www.gov.ai/documents/Anguilla%20Invasive%20Species%20Strategy%202008%20%282%29.pdf [Cited 2010 May 3].

3.05

(1) Euphorbia esula displaces native vegetation in prairie habitats and fields through shading and by usurping available water and nutrients and through plant toxins that prevent the growth of other plants underneath it. Leafy spurge is an aggressive invader and, once present, can completely overtake large areas of open land

(1) http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/eues1.htm [Cited 2010 May 3].

4.01

(1) This species has spines.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/63525/ [Cited 2010 May 2]

4.02

Unknown.

4.03

(1) Not parasitic.

(1) http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi?name=euphorbia+lactea&submit=Submit+Query&search=all[Cited 2010 May 3].

4.04

(1) All Euphorbia are highly unpalatable, and are rarely consumed in quantities sufficient to cause serious toxicity, but are very irritating.

(1) http://www.vet.purdue.edu/toxic/plant37.htm [Cited 2010 May 3].

4.05

(1) All Euphorbia are highly unpalatable, and are rarely consumed in quantities sufficient to cause serious toxicity, but are very irritating. (2) Toxic to cats.

(1) http://www.vet.purdue.edu/toxic/plant37.htm [Cited 2010 May 3]. (2) http://freshdirt.sunset.com/2010/02/cats-and-toxic-plants.html [Cited 2010 May 3].

4.06

Unknown

4.07

(1) Sap can cause rash, blisters intense burning and temporary blindness.

(1) http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/botany/images/poisonplants.pdf [Cited 2010 May 3].

4.08

(1) Succulent.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

4.09

(1) Sun to partial shade, light shade, partial to full shade. (2) Sun to partial shade.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/63525/ [Cited 2010 May 3] (2) http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?search_op=and&keyword_op=and&language=e&number=5&v1=ppp&user=tt&sale=1&first=66 [Cited 2010 May 3].

4.10

(1) Soil pH requirements: 6.1-7.8. (2) Soil: equal parts of loam and sand.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/63525/ [Cited 2010 May 3] (2) http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=euphorbia_lactea&comments=1 [Cited 2010 May 3].

4.11

(1)Succulent shrub.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

4.12

(1) Widely escaped from cultivated and in some places forming dense thickets.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=cJgYAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA306&dq=euphorbia+lactea&hl=en&ei=gHbfS_SJIITmsw
OS_sXQBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAjgU#v=onepage&q=euphorbia%20lactea&f=false [Cited 2010 May 5]

5.01

(1) Terrestrial

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

5.02

(1) Euphorbiaceae

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

5.03

(1) Euphorbiaceae.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

5.04

(1) Not a geophyte.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

6.01

(1) "Although, first described scientifically from India and widely naturalized there, the original home of E. lactea is not known."

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

6.02

Unknown

6.03

Unknown

6.04

Unknown

6.05

Unknown

6.06

(1) Dispersal syndrome - vegetative. Plants in cultivation are not known to flower, so reports of naturalized populations must be explained by vegetative spread aided by human activity.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

6.07

(1) Fast growth rate.(2) Slow growth rate.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=fWADAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA1171&dq=euphorbia+lactea&hl=en&ei=
bXXfS6nZF4e4swOKhpmzBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CF4Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q
=euphorbia%20lactea&f=false [Cited 2010 May 3]. (2) http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/236/[Cited 2010 May 3].

7.01

(1) Dispersal syndrome - vegetative. Plants in cultivation are not known to flower, so reports of naturalized populations must be explained by vegetative spread aided by human activity.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

7.02

(1) Cultivated in many tropical places.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

7.03

[not grown in agricultural situations.] (1) Dispersal syndrome - vegetative. (2) Propagated by cuttings.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii. (2) http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week113.shtml [Cited 2010 May 3].

7.04

(1) Dispersal syndrome - vegetative.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

7.05

(1) Dispersal syndrome - vegetative.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

7.06

(1) Dispersal syndrome - vegetative.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

7.07

(1) Dispersal syndrome - vegetative.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

7.08

(1) Dispersal syndrome - vegetative.

(1) Staples, G, W., Herbst, D., Imada, C.T. 2000. Survey of Invasive or Potentially Invasive Cultivated Plants in Hawaii. A Special Publication of the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Honolulu, Hawaii.

8.01

Unknown (1) Not known to flower in cultivation.

(1) http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week113.shtml [Cited 2010 May 3]

8.02

(1) Not known to flower in cultivation.

(1) http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week113.shtml [Cited 2010 May 3]

8.03

Unknown

8.04

Unknown

8.05

Unknown (1) Not on list of released biocontrol agents.

(1) http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/invasivetutorial/Biocontrol.htm [Cited 2010 May 3]