Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

Lophospermum scandens

RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -2

Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment
  Lophospermum scandens (twining snapdragon, chicakbiddy, Mexican twist, creeping gloxinia) Synonyms: Maurandia lophospermum, Maurandya erubescens Gray var. glabrata, Asarina lophospermum. Answer Score
1.01 Is the species highly domesticated? n 0
1.02 Has the species become naturalized where grown? n  
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) 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 y  
3.01 Naturalized beyond native range         y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05 n -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
3.04 Environmental weed                                                     y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)    
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) n 0
4.11 Climbing or smothering growth habit y 1
4.12 Forms dense thickets n 0
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 y 1
6.04 Self-compatible or apomictic    
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 1 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    
7.05 Propagules water dispersed n -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    
8.01 Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)    
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    
8.05 Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)    
  Total score:   -2

Supporting data:

  Notes Reference
1.01 No evidence  
1.02 No evidence  
1.03 Several varietal known. But no evidence of weedy nature. http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/a1.asp?title=Scrophulariaceae&list=618
2.01 Native to Mexico. http://www.hear.org/gcw/html/autogend/species/11751.HTM
2.02    
2.03 Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6° C (20° F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8° C (25° F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1°C (30° F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C (35° F)		 http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1939/
2.04 Native to Mexico. http://www.hear.org/gcw/html/autogend/species/11751.HTM
2.05 (1)Reported to grow in the following regions in the U.S.:  San Francisco, California; Bradley, Florida; Mathiston, Mississippi; Lenoir City, Tennessee; Center, Texas   (2)Available to the public through sale at local nurseries in the U.K. (1)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1939/  (2)http://www.complete-gardens.co.uk/online/online-search-vensearch.php?plant=301163&mail=0&region=0
3.01 No evidence  
3.02 No evidence  
3.03 No evidence  
3.04 Weed~Naturalised~Cultivation Escape [No other evidence of it being a weed]. http://www.hear.org/gcw/html/autogend/species/11751.HTM
3.05 No evidence  
4.01 No evidence http://www.secretseeds.com/acatalog/Climbers.html
4.02 No evidence  
4.03 No evidence http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi
4.04 Don’t know.  
4.05 No evidence  
4.06 No evidence