Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

Lysimachia fortunei var. 'Super snow'

RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 8

Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment
  Lysimachia fortunei  variety super snow. (Primulaceae) 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) 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 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) 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    
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 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    
6.04 Self-compatible or apomictic y 1
6.05 Requires specialist pollinators n 0
6.06 Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation y 1
6.07 Minimum generative time (years)                 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1 2 0
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) y 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   8

Supporting data:

  Notes Reference
1.01 The variety  - 'Super Snow' is bigger, studier, and has larger white flower spikes. The broader, thicker foliage is also more attractive. A terrific plant for adding height to mixed containers. No evidence the variety is substantially different from the original species.   
1.02 No evidence of naturalization  
1.03 No evidence  
2.01 (1)Range: E. Asia - China, Japan. Habitat: Wet margins of rivers and ponds in the lowland of C. and S. Japan  (2)The genus Lysimachia is native to many temperate and subtropical regions throughout the world. (1)http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Lysimachia+fortunei&CAN=LATIND  (2)Mackenzie, D. S. 1989. Complete manual of perennial ground covers. Princeton Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Pg 208
2.02    
2.03 (1)Zone(s)-4-10  (2)It is hardy to zone 7.  (3)Environmental extremes tolerated: Aquatic [can grow on land as well as in water] (4)0--1500 m (1)http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/detail.cfm?photoID
=5579&doSearch=&searchKeywords=&f=VO%20122004_127.mp3 (2)http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Lysimachia+fortunei&CAN=LATIND  (3)http://www.hear.org/gcw/html/autogend/species/11967.HTM  (4)http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=610&taxon_id=200017021
2.04 (1))Range: E. Asia - China, Japan. Habitat: Wet margins of rivers and ponds in the lowland of C. and S. Japan   (2)The genus Lysimachia is native to many temperate and subtropical regions throughout the world. (1)http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Lysimachia+fortunei&CAN=LATIND            (2)Mackenzie, D. S. 1989. Complete manual of perennial ground covers. Princeton Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Pg 208
2.05 No evidence  
3.01 No evidence of naturalization  
3.02  'Spikes of small white flowers appear late summer through fall; can be aggressive in the landscape.' [Suggests potential for becoming weedy but answered 'no' because no other evidence of the species being weedy]. http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/detail.cfm?photoID
=5579&doSearch=&searchKeywords=&f=VO%20122004_127.mp3
3.03 No evidence  
3.04 The species L. fortunei is listed to have the status - weed. Answered no because no other evidence of this species being an environmental weed. (1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/html/autogend/species/11967.HTM
3.05 (1)Lysimachia nummularia is listed to be invasive in 13 states on the U.S. mainland.  (2)Listed as a weed.  (3)Lysimachia,nummularia,,moneywort,,,,"RANK 2. "SIGNIFICANT THREAT"Exotic plant species which possess some invasive characteristics, but have less impact on native plant communities; may have the capacity to invade natural communities along disturbance corridors, or to spread from stands in d",,Invasive Exotic Pest Plants in Tennessee. AND Lysimachia,vulgaris,,,,N,,,,Australian Naturalised and/or Noxious Taxa.  (4) Lysimachia punctata - 'This has become a distch-weed in places in theis country. It is of invasive habit, producing spires of brassy yellow flowers, ans is suitable for broad sweeps of self-maintained colour in the wilder parts of larger garderns.' (1)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/list/l.htm  (2)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs.html  (3)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/global/australia/pol.html  (4)Thomas, G S. 1976. Perennial garden plants. David McKay Company, Inc. New York. Pg 219
4.01 No evidence of these traits. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=610&taxon_id=200017021
4.02 No evidence  
4.03 No evidence  
4.04 Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits.[No evidence regarding palatability by livestock].