Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Evaluate, score: 5
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Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i. Information on Risk Assessments Original risk assessment |
| Euterpe oleracea Common names - assai, asai, acai, cabbage palm, euterpe. Synonym- Euterpe badiocarpa Barb. Rodr. Family - Arecaceae | Answer | Score | |
| 1.01 | Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01) | n | 0 |
| 1.02 | Has the species become naturalized where grown? | ||
| 1.03 | Does the species have weedy races? | ||
| 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” | 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) | n | 0 |
| 2.04 | Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates | y | 1 |
| 2.05 | Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2 | n | |
| 3.01 | Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05 | n | 0 |
| 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 |
| 3.04 | Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 3.05 | Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 4.01 | Produces spines, thorns or burrs | n | 0 |
| 4.02 | Allelopathic | n | 0 |
| 4.03 | Parasitic | n | 0 |
| 4.04 | Unpalatable to grazing animals | ||
| 4.05 | Toxic to animals | n | 0 |
| 4.06 | Host for recognized pests and pathogens | n | 0 |
| 4.07 | Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans | n | 0 |
| 4.08 | Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems | n | 0 |
| 4.09 | Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle | y | 1 |
| 4.1 | Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island) | y | 1 |
| 4.11 | Climbing or smothering growth habit | n | 0 |
| 4.12 | Forms dense thickets | y | 1 |
| 5.01 | Aquatic | n | 0 |
| 5.02 | Grass | n | 0 |
| 5.03 | Nitrogen fixing woody plant | n | 0 |
| 5.04 | Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers) | n | 0 |
| 6.01 | Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat | n | 0 |
| 6.02 | Produces viable seed. | y | 1 |
| 6.03 | Hybridizes naturally | ||
| 6.04 | Self-compatible or apomictic | y | 1 |
| 6.05 | Requires specialist pollinators | y | -1 |
| 6.06 | Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation | n | -1 |
| 6.07 | Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1 | 4 | -1 |
| 7.01 | Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas) | n | -1 |
| 7.02 | Propagules dispersed intentionally by people | y | 1 |
| 7.03 | Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant | n | -1 |
| 7.04 | Propagules adapted to wind dispersal | n | -1 |
| 7.05 | Propagules water dispersed | y | 1 |
| 7.06 | Propagules bird dispersed | y | 1 |
| 7.07 | Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) | y | 1 |
| 7.08 | Propagules survive passage through the gut | y | 1 |
| 8.01 | Prolific seed production (>1000/m2) | n | -1 |
| 8.02 | Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr) | ||
| 8.03 | Well controlled by herbicides | ||
| 8.04 | Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire | y | 1 |
| 8.05 | Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents) | ||
| Total score: | 5 | ||
| Second screening | Evaluate further | ||
Supporting data:
|
Notes |
Reference |
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1.01 |
No evidence |
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1.02 |
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1.03 |
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2.01 |
(1)Native: |
(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl (2)Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005. |
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2.02 |
(1)Native: |
(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl (2)Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005. |
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2.03 |
(1)Altitude range: 0 - 100 m |
(1)Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005. (2)http://www.tropilab.com/pinapalm.html (3)http://ecoport.org/ep?Plant=6054&entityType=PL****&entityDisplayCategory=full (4)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59773/index |
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2.04 |
(1)Native: |
(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl (2)Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005. |
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2.05 |
No evidence |
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3.01 |
No evidence |
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3.02 |
No evidence |
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3.03 |
No evidence |
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3.04 |
No evidence |
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3.05 |
No evidence |
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4.01 |
No evidence |
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4.02 |
No evidence |
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4.03 |
No evidence |
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4.04 |
Don’t know. When mature it is a tall palm - out of reach of grazing animals. |
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4.05 |
No evidence |
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4.06 |
This website lists 29 fungi species to be associated with E. oleracea. [No evidence of economic pests with a narrow specificity]. |
http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/index.cfm |
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4.07 |
Probably not - the species is widely used for food and is widely studied for its chemical composition. No evidence of allergies of toxicity to humans. |
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4.08 |
Probably not -(1)and (2)Its a palm species that generally inhabits coastal areas and swampy habitats and needs high humidity for growth. (3)"It is a palm of the rainforest that require a warm, sheltered and moist position." |
(1)http://www.rain-tree.com/acai.htm AND (2)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Euterpe/oleracea.html (3)http://ecoport.org/ep?Plant=6054&entityType=PL****&entityDisplayCategory=full |
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4.09 |
(1)"In its natural habitat under the shady rainforest canopy, the acai tree grows slowly in low light, often taking 4-5 years before producing fruit." (2)Tolerates shade. (3)"Will take full sun as it matures, but only if there is high humidity." |
(1)http://www.rain-tree.com/acai.htm (2)Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005 (3)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Euterpe/oleracea.html |
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4.10 |
"Soil: Physical: It is not particular to soil type, prefers deep soils but can grow on shallow ground and is found in periodically waterlogged situations. Chemical: Reported soil pH range for growth is 4.5-6.5 with the optimum between 5-5.5. It requires fertile soil and will withstand some salinity." |
http://ecoport.org/ep?Plant=6054&entityType=PL****&entityDisplayCategory=full |
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4.11 |
No evidence |
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4.12 |
(1)"Found throughout the Amazon and especially prevalent in the Brazilian state of Pará, acai is extremely common throughout the lowland flood areas along the rivers of northern South America where it forms large groves. " (2)"This palm occurs in low-lying coastal areas and along rivers and streams in sites subject to periodic flooding. It is found in large often high-density stands (Henderson and Galeano, 1996)." |
(1)http://www.rain-tree.com/acai.htm (2)Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005. |
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5.01 |
"E. oleracea is a monoecious, multi-stemmed (to 25 stems per clump) feather palm 3-20 m tall and 7-18 cm diameter." |
Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005. |
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5.02 |
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5.03 |
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5.04 |
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6.01 |
"Abstract: This study examines aspects of flowering and fruiting of a natural population of the acai palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in the Amazon estuary. Fieldwork was carried on Combu Island, municipality of Acara, State of Para, Brazil, during two years (1988-1989). E. oleracea flowers principally from February until May and fruits mainly between June and December." |
Jardim, Mario Augusto Goncalves; Kageyama, Paulo Yoshio. Phenology of flowering and fruiting in a natural population of cabbage-palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in the Amazon estuary. Boletim do Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi Serie Botanica 10 (1) : 77-82 199 |
|
6.02 |
Propagation by seed. |
http://www.tropilab.com/pinapalm.html |
|
6.03 |
(1)"Abstract: The vegetative
growth and yield of the Euterpe oleracea x E. edulis hybrid palms were
compared to the parental population under two different shading conditions.
In both conditions hybrid palms were superior to the parents in growth and
yield. The hybrids were vigorous, precocious and had tillering capacity. In
spite of the hybrid heterogeneity, they appeared to offer a great potential
for upgrading heart of palm planting material in Sao Paulo State, Brazil."
(2)"The Euterpe edulis ('palmiteiro') Breeding Programme at IAC has, during
10 years, selected a hybrid (E. edulis X E. oleracea) with a short growth
period (4-6 years), multiple trunks and edible hearts of large size and
superior texture and flavour, which can be cultivated even under very sunny
conditions. The hybrid is currently propagated by tissue culture and its
large-scale release is planned within 2 years. The adaptation of the
alternative species 'pupunha' palm (Bactris gasipaes), native to the
Brazilian and Peruvian Amazonia and to Costa Rica, to the State of Sao Paulo
is also under way. This tree, from which fruits have been used as food for
centuries and which is cultivated commercially in Costa Rica (ca. 2000 ha
planted), matures earlier (18-36 months) and is able to produce multiple
trunks with >2.5 cm diameter edible hearts without special fertilizer
input." |
(1)BOVI M L A; GODOY JUNIOR G; SAES L A INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDS OF HEART OF PALM PLANTS EUTERPE-OLERACEA X EUTERPE-EDULIS Bragantia 46 |
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6.04 |
(1)"Abstract: The floral biology of a natural population of "acai" palm trees (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) was studied at Combu Island, in the municipality of Acara, Para State (48degree25'W; 1degree25'S) from January to December of 1991. The results showed that Euterpe oleracea is a monoic, dicogamous and protandric species. The bracts open five days after maturation. Male flowers remain open from 10 to 12 days in the inflorescences and female flowers open after the male flowers fall completely, remaining receptive during 5 days. Both male and female flowers show diurnal antesis. Insect visitors to the inflorescences belong to following orders: Coleoptera (11 species), Diptera (3 species), Homoptera (1 specie) and Hymenoptera (4 species). Possible pollinators are four species of beetles." (2)"E. oleracea is monoecious, with each inflorescence bearing numerous sessile staminate and pistilate flowers. It is protandrous, with the staminate flowers open and shedding pollen before the pistilate flowers are receptive. Thus, the species is predominantly allogamous (outbreeding), but various degrees of autogamy can occur depending on the synchronization of phases between inflorescences in the same or different stems of the same clump (geitonogamy). " |
(1)Jardim, Mario Augusto Goncalves; Macambira, Maria Lucia Jardim. Floral biology of the acai palm tree Euterpe oleracea Martius. Boletim do Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi Serie Botanica 12 (1) : 131-136 July, 1996 (1997). (2)http://www.fao.org/docrep/v07 |
|
6.05 |
(1)"Abstract: The floral biology of a natural population of "acai" palm trees (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) was studied at Combu Island, in the municipality of Acara, Para State (48degree25'W; 1degree25'S) from January to December of 1991. The results showed that Euterpe oleracea is a monoic, dicogamous and protandric species. The bracts open five days after maturation. Male flowers remain open from 10 to 12 days in the inflorescences and female flowers open after the male flowers fall completely, remaining receptive during 5 days. Both male and female flowers show diurnal antesis. Insect visitors to the inflorescences belong to following orders: Coleoptera (11 species), Diptera (3 species), Homoptera (1 specie) and Hymenoptera (4 species). Possible pollinators are four species of beetles." (2)"A detailed pollination study provides data on the floral morphology, biology, floral arrangement and phenology of E. oleracea, as well as insect visitors and behaviour. Scarab beetles are most strongly implicated as pollinators, although many others may be involved also." (3)"Pollination is done mainly by small bees and flies." [Probably yes - based on first and second reference of being beetle pollinated. Third ref does not provide any references to being pollinated by bees or flies, so they could be visitors as mentioned in the first reference which was an experimental study on pollination]. |
(1)Jardim, Mario Augusto Goncalves; Macambira, Maria Lucia Jardim. Floral biology of the acai palm tree Euterpe oleracea Martius. Boletim do Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi Serie Botanica 12 (1) : 131-136 July, 1996 (1997) |
|
6.06 |
The species is known to sucker, however no evidence of spread by reproductive means. |
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6.07 |
(1)"In its natural habitat under the shady rainforest canopy, the acai tree grows slowly in low light, often taking 4-5 years before producing fruit." (2)"Flowering can start as early as 4 years if it is grown in full sunlight. Inside the rainforest, however, flowering starts later as it is directly related to insolation." |
(1)http://www.rain-tree.com/acai.htm (2)http://www.fao.org/docrep/v0784e/v0784e0b.htm#euterpe%20oleracea |
|
7.01 |
No evidence that the species occurs in heavily trafficked areas. |
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7.02 |
Probably yes - exploited for edible fruits, palm heart (by cutting the crown shaft) which is widely consumed as a vegetable, the fruit is prepared into a popular fruit drink and used as a natural ink or dye, and the wood of this palm is used in house construction (palm thatched roofs). "Much of the new acai fruit demand has resulted from several new product launches in the U.S. It seems the U.S. is in an "acai craze" today as a result of a some high dollar marketing programs touting it as the new, mysterious, power fruit of the Amazon... along with a host of health benefits - from weight loss, to increased energy and lower cholesterol." |
http://www.rain-tree.com/acai.htm |
|
7.03 |
Probably not - seeds relatively large and no evidence that the species occurs or is grown in or around seed crops. |
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7.04 |
No evidence. |
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7.05 |
(1)"Found throughout the Amazon
and especially prevalent in the Brazilian state of Pará, acai is extremely
common throughout the lowland flood areas along the rivers of northern South
America where it forms large groves." |
(1)http://www.rain-tree.com/acai.htm (2)http://www.plantapalm.com/Vpe/photos/Species/euterpe_oleracea.htm |
|
7.06 |
(1)"The fruit is favored by birds and rodents and the seeds are disbursed through the forest in their droppings." (2)"Seeds: Seed dispersal agents are the birds Rupicola rupicola and Penelope marail, the mammals Mazama americana and {{Mazama gouazoubira}E} and the fish Myleus rhomboidalis." |
(1)http://www.rain-tree.com/acai.htm (2)http://ecoport.org/ep?Plant=6054&entityType=PL****&entityDisplayCategory=full |
|
7.07 |
"Abstract: In this paper, the endocarps of Euterpe oleracea are shown to be covered with hooked fibers. The author speculates that these hooks have multiple functions, including dispersal and protection." |
Moegenburg, Susan. The functions of hooked fibers on Euterpe endocarps. Palms 47 (1) : 16-20 March 2003 |
|
7.08 |
"Abstract: Tegu lizards have a generalist diet and may play an important role as seed dispersers in semideciduous forests in southeast Brasil. We studied the frugivory and seed dispersal of tegu lizards using captive animals and offering wild fruits from a semideciduous forest. Thirty fruit species were eaten by the lizards in captivity, ranging from 0.81 to 10.0 cm (fruit diameter). Even large fruit adapted to dispersal by large mammals were swallowed (ex. Syagrus oleracea). There were no statistical differences in seed germination between seeds that passed through the lizard gut and the control in Eugenia uniflora (X2 = 0.69, P>0.50), Genipa americana (X2 = 6.4, P>0.975), Cereus peruvianus (X2 = 0.018, P>0.10), and Solanum viarum (X2 = 6.23, P>0.975). Seed retention time in the tegu gut ranged from 22-24 h (Solanum lycocarpum) to 43-44 h (for Syagrus romanzoffiana). Our results indicate that tegu lizards have a potential to be an important seed dispersers in the Neotropics." |
Rodrigo De Castro, Everaldo; Galetti, Mauro. Frugivory and seed dispersal by the tegu lizard Tupinambis merianae (Reptilia: Teiidae). Frugivoria e dispersao de sementes pelo lagarto teiu Tupinambis merianae (Reptilia: Teiidae). Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia |
|
8.01 |
(1)The fruit is round, 1-2 cm in
diameter, with a single large seed inside surrounded by stringy fibrous
sheaths and a thin oily coating. (2)"The fruit, a small, round, black-purple
drupe similar in appearance and size to a grape but with less pulp, is
produced in branched panicles of 700 to 900 fruits. The fruit has a single
large seed about 7–10 mm in diameter." (3)"Fruits: The fruit is a globose
berry, 1-2 cm in diameter, green turning dark green purple, or black at
complete maturity; then covered by a whitish powdery layer. Large endocarp
(80% of the fruit), fibrous, containing an oily endosperm. High
polymorphism." |
(1)http://www.rain-tree.com/acai.htm (2)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A7a%C3%AD_Palm (3)http://e |