Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 17
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Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i. Information on Risk Assessments Original risk assessment |
| Jatropha curcas (Barbados nut, bubble bush, physicnut) Family - Euphorbiaceae | Answer | Score | |
| 1.01 | Is the species highly domesticated? | n | 0 |
| 1.02 | Has the species become naturalized where grown? | y | |
| 1.03 | Does the species have weedy races? | 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” | 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 |
| 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 | 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) | y | 2 |
| 3.03 | Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 3.04 | Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2) | y | 4 |
| 3.05 | Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2) | y | 2 |
| 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 | y | 1 |
| 4.05 | Toxic to animals | y | 1 |
| 4.06 | Host for recognized pests and pathogens | n | 0 |
| 4.07 | Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans | y | 1 |
| 4.08 | Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems | ||
| 4.09 | Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle | n | 0 |
| 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 | n | 0 |
| 6.06 | Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation | ||
| 6.07 | Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1 | 1 | 1 |
| 7.01 | Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas) | y | 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 | n | -1 |
| 7.07 | Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) | n | -1 |
| 7.08 | Propagules survive passage through the gut | n | -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 | y | -1 |
| 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: | 17 |
Supporting data:
| Notes | Reference | |
| 1.01 | No evidence | |
| 1.02 | (1)widely cultivated & naturalized elsewhere in New World & Old World tropics (2)Though native to America, the species is almost pantropical now, widely planted as a medicinal plant which soon tends to establish itself. It is listed, e.g., as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. (3)Naturalized in Fiji, Tonga and La reunion. (4)Jatropha curcas is native to tropical America and naturalized throughout tropical and subtropical parts of Asia and Africa | (1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?20692 (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Jatropha_curcas.html#Uses (3)http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/jatropha_curcas.htm (4)http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=142316 |
| 1.03 | No evidence | |
| 2.01 | Native: NORTHERN AMERICA -Mexico, SOUTHERN AMERICA - Mesoamerica: Belize; Costa Rica; El Salvador; Guatemala; Honduras; Nicaragua, Caribbean: Dominica, Brazil: Brazil, Western South America: Bolivia; Peru, Southern South America: Argentina; Paraguay. | http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?20692 |
| 2.02 | (1)widely cultivated & naturalized elsewhere in New World & Old World tropics (2)Though native to America, the species is almost pantropical now, widely planted as a medicinal plant which soon tends to establish itself. It is listed, e.g., as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. | (1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?20692 (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Jatropha_curcas.html#Uses |
| 2.03 | (1)"Ranging from Tropical Very Dry to Moist through Subtropical Thorn to Wet Forest Life Zones, physic nut is reported to tolerate annual precipitation of 4.8 to 23.8 dm (mean of 60 cases = 14.3) and annual temperature of 18.0 to 28.5°C (mean of 45 cases = 25.2)." (2)"Hardiness: USDA zone 9 - 11" | (1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Jatropha_curcas.html#Uses (2)http://www.tropilab.com/jatropha-cur.html |
| 2.04 | (1)widely cultivated & naturalized elsewhere in New World & Old World tropics (2)Though native to America, the species is almost pantropical now, widely planted as a medicinal plant which soon tends to establish itself. It is listed, e.g., as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. | (1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?20692 (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Jatropha_curcas.html#Uses |
| 2.05 | (1)widely cultivated & naturalized elsewhere in New World & Old World tropics (2)Though native to America, the species is almost pantropical now, widely planted as a medicinal plant which soon tends to establish itself. It is listed, e.g., as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. (3)Native of the Caribbean region, has been introduced as a hedge and ornamental plant to many countries including Europe, Africa, India, Indonesia, Philippines and some Pacific Islands and Australia | (1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?20692 (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Jatropha_curcas.html#Uses (3)http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/jatropha_curcas.htm |
| 3.01 | (1)widely cultivated & naturalized elsewhere in New World & Old World tropics (2)Though native to America, the species is almost pantropical now, widely planted as a medicinal plant which soon tends to establish itself. It is listed, e.g., as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. (3)Naturalized in Fiji, Tonga and La reunion. (4)Jatropha curcas is native to tropical America and naturalized throughout tropical and subtropical parts of Asia and Africa | (1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?20692 (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Jatropha_curcas.html#Uses (3)http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/jatropha_curcas.htm (4)http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=142316 |
| 3.02 | (1)Though native to America, the species is almost pantropical now, widely planted as a medicinal plant which soon tends to establish itself. It is listed, e.g., as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. (2)Jatropha has the potential to be weedy because of its toxic seeds that can spread rather easily and create dense stands on uncultivated lands. It is reported as a weed in many places including Australia, Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. [Disturbance weed]. | (1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Jatropha_curcas.html#Uses (2)http://www.echotech.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=178&Itemid=68 |
| 3.03 | No evidence | |
| 3.04 | Declared noxious species in Western Australia. (3)Listed as a P1 category weed (P1= The movement of plants or their seeds is prohibited within the State.) in Western Australia. | http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/jatropha_curcas.htm AND http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/dps/version02/01_plantview.asp?page=7&contentID=50&#control |
| 3.05 | (1)J. gowypifolia and J. eureaus are listed as common weeds in Inida and Puerto Rico respectively. (2) Jatropha gossypifolia in northern Australia - "Forms dense thickets crowding out other species. Probably introduced as an ornamental in the late 1800s. Consumption of plants, especially during droughts, causes death of stock. Seeds are highly toxic." | (1)Holm et al. An electronic atlas of worls weeds. CD-ROM database. Vesion 1997. (2)http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=0&ibra=&card=S15 |
| 4.01 | No evidence of such structures. | http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Jatropha_curcas.html#Uses |
| 4.02 | No evidence | |
| 4.03 | No evidence | |
| 4.04 | (1)"Jatropha is not browsed by animals. " (2)Not browsed by cattle. | (1)http://www.svlele.com/jatropha_plant.htm (2)Heller, Joachim. 1996. Physic nut. Jatropha curcas. L. Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 1. Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben/ International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome. Available at - http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/publications/pubfile.asp?ID_PUB=161 |
| 4.05 | (1)"There may seem to be a great amount of marginal land in developing countries that is not being used and where Jatropha could be grown; however, most often these lands are for communal use to graze/browse livestock. Jatropha is toxic to livestock, weedy, and not a good species to use in agroforestry systems except as living fences to protect food crops from livestock;..." (2)"Adam (1979a) fed Jatropha curcas to six calves by at doses of 2.5, 1 and 0.25 g/kg once, and to two other calves at 0.025 g/kg up to 14 days. The onset and manifestations of toxicity in the six calves was rapid and death occurred within 19 hours of administration. The two calves that received daily the lowest dose of Jatropha curcas showed signs of poisoning and died within 10-14 days. The clinical signs of diarrhoea, dyspnoea, dehydration and loss ofcondition were well correlated with the pathologicalfindings. There was an increase in aspartateaminotransferase, ammonia and potassium, and decrease in total protein and serum of Jatropha poisoned calves." |
(1)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:spe3sDr5cqIJ: www.echotech.org/mambo/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_docman%26task%3 Ddoc_view%26gid%3D178%26Itemid%3D68+%22Jatropha+curcas %22+toxic+livestock&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1 (2)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:lRvK_PAV9lQJ: www.usp.ac.fj/spjns/volume21/Aregheore.pdf+%22Jatropha+curcas %22+toxic+livestock&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4 |
| 4.06 | (1)Agriculture Handbook No. 165 lists the following as affecting Jatropha curcas: Clitocybe tabescens (root rot), Clitocybe tabescens (leaf spot), and Phakopsora jatrophicola (rust). - [No evidence that the above are economic pests]. (2)This IPGRI document lists several pests of J. curcas. NO evidence that these are economic pests except for the green stink bug Nezera viridula which is listed by USDA APHIS as a pest that attacks miscellenous crops. [Answered no due to lack of specificity of the green stink bug listed as a pest by UDSA APHIS]. | (1)http://www.echotech.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=178&Itemid=68 (2)Heller, Joachim. 1996. Physic nut. Jatropha curcas. L. Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 1. Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben/ International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome. Available at - http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/publications/pubfile.asp?ID_PUB=161 and http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ep/emerging_pests/cushman/pests.html |
| 4.07 | (1)"The poisoning is irritant, with acute abdominal pain and nausea about 1/2 hour following ingestion. Diarrhea and nausea continue but are not usually serious. Depression and collapse may occur, especially in children. Two seeds are strong purgative. Four to five seed are said to have caused death, but the roasted seed is said to be nearly innocuous. Bark, fruit, leaf, root, and wood are all reported to contain HCN (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). Seeds contain the dangerous toxalbumin curcin, rendering them potentially fatally toxic." (2)Jatropha curcas is common plant found all over India more commonly in the southern parts. Though it is a common cause of accidental poisoning among children in these parts, standard texts rarely cover it. Gastrointestinal manifestations are predominant feature of poisoning with the seeds of Jatropha curcas. Mortality is rare. [Abstract]. (3)Many cases of poisoning with physic nut are reported in the literature. |