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

Maesopsis eminii (umbrella 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

y

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

y

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

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

n

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

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

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

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

y

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

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

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

y

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

4

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

M. eminii is an aggressive colonizer. In Tanzania, introduction of M. eminii resulted in its invasion of evergreen rainforest, indicating deleterious effects on the ecosystem; it has been suggested that it should be controlled

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

1.03

No evidence

2.01

M. eminii occurs naturally in a band across Western, Central and Eastern Africa (between 8°N and 6°S) from Kenya to Liberia. The species is managed in natural stands and planted in many areas throughout its native range

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.02

2.03

(1)Approximate limits north to south: 8°N to 6°S [not broad] Altitude range: 50 - 1800 m [survival or planted trees, not natural reproduction] (2)Broad spectrum of climate requirements from per-humid tropics to seasonal tropics.[not relatively broad] (3)In Africa, most collections < 1000 m [occasional collections from plantations around 1000 m elevation (4)Most common at forest-savanna ecotone in Africa, annual temp ave. 22 - 27 °C (lowest monthly mean 16°C).

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/species/maesopsis.htm (3)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast (4)http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/Maesopsiseminii.pdf

2.04

M. eminii occurs naturally in a band across Western, Central and Eastern Africa (between 8°N and 6°S) from Kenya to Liberia. The species is managed in natural stands and planted in many areas throughout its native range

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.05

M. eminii has been introduced to India, Sumatra, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Hawaii, Western Samoa, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Malawi (Francis, 1992; Faridah Hanum and van der Maesen, 1997).

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International

3.01

M. eminii is an aggressive colonizer. In Tanzania, introduction of M. eminii resulted in its invasion of evergreen rainforest, indicating deleterious effects on the ecosystem; it has been suggested that it should be controlled

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

3.02

(1)M. eminii becomes dominant in logged forests and regenerates in treefall gaps. It alters soil properties and associated fauna. Impact on tree regeneration probable but evidence inconclusive. In the natural forest in the East Usambaras M. eminii becomes established in large treefall gaps and pit-sawing gaps where light levels are high. (2)'M. eminii is an aggressive colonizer of grasslands and disturbed areas within forests.' 'M. eminii is an aggressive colonizer. (3)One of these Maesopsis eminii, a native of north-western Tanzania, has caused considerable problems throughout the area (Hamilton 1989). The virtual eradication of this tree should be given serious consideration although recent research suggests that indigenous trees are regenerating well under Maesopsis and that given time they will out compete it providing disturbance to the forest soils is kept to an absolute minimum. [evidence suggests mainly a disturbance weed]

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/species/maesopsis.htm (2)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (3)http://home.no.net/stenil1/cf_eastusambara.htm

3.03

Farmers or foresters do not consider M. eminii as a pest

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/species/maesopsis.htm

3.04

(1)In Tanzania, introduction of M. eminii resulted in its invasion of evergreen rainforest, indicating deleterious effects on the ecosystem; it has been suggested that it should be controlled.' (2)Natural regeneration and spread observed in Rwanda, Fiji, India and on Pemba Island (Tanzania). In Puerto Rico it regenerates profusely and is likely to become common or abundant in forests within the next century. found in many natural forest treefall gaps. (3)The rainforest recovery process was studied in plantations of an exotic, fast-growing tree species, Maesopsis eminii. This Central African species, earlier introduced as a commercial timber crop, was believed to pose a serious threat to the natural ecosystem of the new conservation area. However, it was found that the exotic tree was not as invasive as assumed earlier and, specifically, it cannot regenerate under a dense tree canopy. On the contrary, Maesopsis turned out to form a beneficial nurse crop for the naturally dispersed indigenous tree species, espe

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.(2)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/species/maesopsis.htm (3)http://fibre.utu.fi/1stphase/html/8en.htm

3.05

The genus Maesopsis is monospecific.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp8.htm

4.01

No evidence

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Probably not - Digestibility of the M eminii leaves by livestock is excellent and is only slightly reduced by heating. The leaves have a dry matter content of 35%.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.05

No evidence

4.06

(1) Pests recorded
Insect pests: Monochamus scabiosus [a wood boring beetle]
Fungus diseases:
Nectria haematococca [a fungus causing canker on a wide variety of plants]
(2) AB: "infestations were found on flowers and young shoots of mango from August onwards. A colony was also discovered at Rweza (1600 m) on Maesopsis eminii" [a pest on mango; this aphid has a wide host range]

(1) CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
(2) Autrique, A.; Remaudière, G. (1984) Burundi-Toxoptera odinae : an aphid of Asiatic origin on mango. [FT: Burundi-Toxoptera odinae : un puceron d'origine asiatique sur manguier.] Plant Protection Bulletin, FAO, 1984, Vol.32, No.1, p.29, 2 ref.

4.07

No evidence

4.08

Semi-deciduous tree in the Rhamnaceae family

http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:pd_Kn0bQbXEJ:www.dfsc.dk/pdf/S
eedleaflets/Maesopsis%2520eminii_int.pdf+Maesopsis+eminii&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

4.09

(1) "initially shade-tolerant but subsequently light-requiring" species. shade-tolerant seedlings (surviving up to c. six months); but (d) shade-intolerant (light-requiring) saplings and mature individuals. (2) ' It requires good overhead light for successful establishment and growth; it is unable to regenerate in dense shade.'

(1) http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~afs101/iwpt/project2.html. (2)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.1

(1))Soil types: acid soils; alluvial soils; granite soils; tropical soils; volcanic soils [vague] (2)Seedling establishment occurs on bare humus soil. (3)Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor soils and acidic soils

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~afs101/iwpt/project2.html. (3)http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/Maesopsiseminii.pdf

4.11

probably not - not a vine

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.12

This light demanding species is rather scattered throughout its range (Liberia to Kenya) with the exception of Uganda where it may form monotypic stands. [no indication of density]

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/species/maesopsis.htm

5.01

Rhamnaceae

5.02

Rhamnaceae

5.03

Semi-deciduous tree in the Rhamnaceae family

5.04

No evidence

6.01

In most of its native range M. eminii has no weedy tendencies, on the contrary it is usually scarce even in secondary forests.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/species/maesopsis.htm

6.02

'… early production of viable seeds and very rapid early growth.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

6.03

No evidence

6.04

The sex expression and pollination system is poorly understood but flowers are thought to be hermaphrodite and protogynous and insects are the likely pollinating agent.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp8.htm

6.05

The sex expression and pollination system is poorly understood but flowers are thought to be hermaphrodite and protogynous and insects are the likely pollinating agent.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp8.htm

6.06

It is self-pruning, coppices well and produces suckers.[no evidence of root suckers which are needed to allow spread by vegetative fragmentation]

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

6.07

M. eminii starts flowering and fruiting at 4 to 6 years old

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

7.01

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

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

7.02

the species is valued for agroforestry and ornamental purposes.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

7.03

Probably no - M. eminii seeds are fairly bulky (500-1500 seeds/kg) (ICRAF, 1992) and recalcitrant.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

7.04

7.05

7.06

(1)They are dispersed by birds (especially hornbills in Africa), bats, rodents and monkeys (Yap and Wong, 1983). (2) large (up to 3 cm long) single-seeded fruit dispersed mainly by hornbills

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

7.07

[large see surrounded by fleshy pulp might be carried short distances externally by rodents; see 7.07]

7.08

bird-dispersed [big bird guts]

8.01

(1) M. eminii seeds are fairly bulky (500-1500 seeds/kg) (ICRAF, 1992) and recalcitrant.

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

8.02

(1)Germination of fresh seeds may be as high as 90%, but viability decreases rapidly after 3 months. (2) a short-lived (less than one year) soil seed bank (3)Seed size 0.6 x 1.2 cm. (3)Loss of viability in 3 months unless refrigerated at 4-8 oC

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2) http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~afs101/iwpt/project2.html (3)(2)Seed size 0.6 x 1.2 cm. (3)http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/Maesopsiseminii.pdf

8.03

As yet no control programme has been initiated. Since the tree coppices readily, felling stands dominated by M. eminii must be accompanied with bark removal of stumps. Ring barking does not lead to crown death unless the cambium and part of the xylem are cut. Trees may be killed using arboricide.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp8.htm

8.04

Ability to sucker; regenerate rapidly; self-pruning; suited for coppicing [does not tolerate fire well]

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

8.05

Don’t know.