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

Filicium decipiens (fern tree)

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

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

n

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

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

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

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

4

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

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

n

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:

1

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

http://rathbun.si.edu/botany/pacificislandbiodiversity/hawaiianflora/ManualSupplement2.5.pdf

locally naturalized on Oahu

1.03

no evidence

2.01

(1)H. S. Suresh & Harish R. Bhat. Flora of Indian Institute of Science Campus Banglore (http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/fish/floraFrame.html) (2)Moll, E.J. 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. Striuk Publishers. Cape Town. Johannesburg. Pg 541.

2.02

2.03

Horticopia Plant Information (http://www.hortpix.com/pc1837.htm)

USDA Hasrdiness Zone 10B-11

2.04

H. S. Suresh & Harish R. Bhat. Flora of Indian Institute of Science Campus Banglore (http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/fish/floraFrame.html)

2.05

sold widely as an ornamental in Florida, Texas, Singapore, etc. (e.g. http://www.nparks.gov.sg/f&f/filicium.htm)

3.01

http://rathbun.si.edu/botany/pacificislandbiodiversity/hawaiianflora/ManualSupplement2.5.pdf

locally naturalized on Oahu

3.02

no e vidence

3.03

no e vidence

3.04

(1)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP107 (2)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/Newsletter_Pages/renewable_resources_extension__h.htm

(1)Promoted as a low maintenance tree and not listed as being invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (2)Basal bark application of a ready to use solution of Pathfinder II (trichlopyr), streaking the bottom 12 inches of trunk, caused defoliation of Psidium cattleianum (strawberry guava), Schinus terebinthifolius (Christmas berry), and Filicium decipiens (fern tree) after six weeks. For more information on herbicide control for woody plants, contact Dr.Philip Motooka, Cooperative Extension Service, PO Box 208, Kealakekua, HI 96750, Phone: (808) 322-4896. E-mail: pmotooka@hawaii.edu. [inclusion of Filicium in these herbicide trials implies that it is being considered as a target for control]

3.05

no e vidence

4.01

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. P.1100

4.02

no e vidence

4.03

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. P.1224

4.04

4.05

no e vidence

4.06

no e vidence

4.07

no e vidence

4.08

Moll, E.J. 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. Striuk Publishers. Cape Town. Johannesburg. Pg 541.

Probably not - '…occurring in evergreen forests, deep ravines, riverine fringe forest and by mountain streams.'

4.09

Horticopia Plant Information (http://www.hortpix.com/pc1837.htm)

prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun

4.1

Don’t know.

4.11

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. P.1100

4.12

no e vidence

5.01

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. P.1100

5.02

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. P.1100

5.03

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. P.1100

5.04

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. P.1100

6.01

no e vidence

6.02

Tradewinds Import-Export Company
Seeds Department
P.O. Box 218650-2002
Houston, Texas 77218 USA (http://www.abonline.com/products/seeds_f.htm)

6.03

6.04

Moll, E.J. 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. Striuk Publishers. Cape Town. Johannesburg. Pg 541.

'Sexes separate, nut with well formed sterile organs of the opposite sex present …'

6.05

no e vidence

6.06

no e vidence

6.07

Dr R. Criley, Dept. of Horticulture, University of Hawaii Manoa

7.01

no e vidence

7.02

ornamental

7.03

no e vidence

7.04

Moll, E.J. 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. Striuk Publishers. Cape Town. Johannesburg. Pg 522.

Fruits not winged

7.05

(1)Moll, E.J. 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. Striuk Publishers. Cape Town. Johannesburg. Pg 522. (2)Dale I.R. & Greenway P.J. 1961. Kenya Trees and Shrubs. Government of the Colony of the Protectoract of Kenya. Pg 511.

(1)'…occurring in evergreen forests, deep ravines, riverine fringe forest and by mountain streams.' (2)In river gorges and valleys in the lower Kikuyu county and also on the Teita hills.' [habitat provides opportunity for water dispersal, but don't know]

7.06

H. S. Suresh & Harish R. Bhat. Flora of Indian Institute of Science Campus Banglore (http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/fish/floraFrame.html)

Fruit is a drupe, dark blue when ripened. (2)probably -bird dipersed-since fruit is indehiscent and fleshy.

7.07

Moll, E.J. 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. Striuk Publishers. Cape Town. Johannesburg. Pg 541.

Probably not - no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.08

bird dipersed

8.01

Personally measured a few seeds fallen on the ground from the tree on campus.

drupe, seeds about 1cm long X 0.5 wide but can produce clusters of 100+ fruits at branch tips [borderline]

8.02

Tradewinds Import-Export Company
Seeds Department
P.O. Box 218650-2002
Houston, Texas 77218 USA (http://www.abonline.com/products/seeds_f.htm)

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

no e vidence

8.05

no e vidence