Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Melastoma candidum


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 13


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.

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

Melastoma candidum D. Don; Melastoma septemnervium, Melastoma malabathricum, Asian melastome, malabar melastome, Indian rhododendron, melastoma

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

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

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

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

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

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

y

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

n

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

2

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

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

y

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

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

y

Total score:

13

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

no evidence

1.02

"In Hawai'i, M. candidum has escaped from cultivation and is now locally abundant and invasive in mesic to wet areas, windward areas, and bog margins on Kaua'i, O'ahu, and Hawai'i from sea level up to about 900 m"

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

1.03

no evidence

2.01

Distributional range:
Native:
ASIA-TEMPERATE
China: China - Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan
Eastern Asia: Taiwan

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN)
[Online Database].
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Melastoma+candidum (07 May 2004)

2.02

2.03

(1)" Meyer (2000) describes the native distribution of M. candidum as Japan, South China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam, growing in light forests, clearings, and grass lands, or on rocky slopes from sea level to 1,500 m (4,921 ft) elevation." (2)scrub and grassland species below 900 m (3)In grassland. (4)on steep open road slopes. Usual dominant of secondary shrub communities in the area. [Melastoma malabathricum] (5)The early young stage of secondary forest, where with the disappearance of grassy vegetation trees will establish: this is preceded by the domination of shrubs, such as C. odorata , Melastoma malabathricum, Trema orientalis and Bridelia monoica. [could not find any confirmation of Meyer 2000 to indicate that the plant commonly occurs above 1000 m]

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm (2)http://www.zyworld.com/NAKARIN/barbelliedpittahtml.htm (3)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=00333965 (4)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01588474 (5)http://www.cpitt.uq.edu.au/chromolaena/2/2umaly.html

2.04

Distributional range:
Native:
ASIA-TEMPERATE
China: China - Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan
Eastern Asia: Taiwan

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN)
[Online Database].
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Melastoma+candidum (07 May 2004)

2.05

"cultivated in Hawai'i and other tropical areas as an ornamental shrub" [vague - could not find many other areas]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

3.01

"In Hawai'i, M. candidum has escaped from cultivation and is now locally abundant and invasive in mesic to wet areas, windward areas, and bog margins on Kaua'i, O'ahu, and Hawai'i from sea level up to about 900 m"

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

3.02

no evidence

3.03

(1)M. malabathricum on Weed list for south Carolina, North Carolina and Florida [agricultural fields] (2)ground cover consisted of mainly hard weeds such as Straits rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum) [refering to rehabilitating for palm plantation areas Sumatra, Indonesia] (3)Three broad categories of weeds infest grazing land. Brush is the biggest problem...In wet, lowland areas, tree or brush weeds such as..Melastoma malabathricum..are of concern. (4)Hawaii State Noxious weed

(1)http://www.invasive.org/seweeds.cfm (2)http://www.agrisoft-systems.de/download/BMP_Asiatic.pdf (3)http://www.svpa.hawaii.edu/ansc/History/beef.htm (4)http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=MECA9

3.04

(1)"In Hawai'i, M. candidum has escaped from cultivation and is now locally abundant and invasive in mesic to wet areas, windward areas, and bog margins on Kaua'i, O'ahu, and Hawai'i from sea level up to about 900 m" (2)Cyanea recta -- The major threats to this species are....Melastoma candidum (3)This noxious, spreading shrub forms tangled brush up to 2 m tall which crowds out all other species...There are heavy infestations on Kaua'i and the Puna and Hamakua Districts of Hawai'i from sea level to 700 m.

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm (2)http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-2840.htm (3)http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/cw_smith/mel_can.htm

3.05

(1)"All species of Melastoma are considered noxious in the state of Hawai'i. " [but no evidence that any others are actual weeds]

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

4.01

no description of these traits

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence [probably not palatable - it is considered a noxious week of grasslnads]

4.05

no evidence

4.06

no evidence

4.07

(1)Fruit edible (2)The sour young leaves are cooked in stews.

(1)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=00333965+F22 (2)http://www.crfg.org/fg/xref/xref-m.html+E24

4.08

no evidence

4.09

" Meyer (2000) describes the native distribution of M. candidum as Japan, South China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam, growing in light forests, clearings, and grass lands, or on rocky slopes from sea level to 1,500 m (4,921 ft) elevation." [probably not shade tolerrant - colonizes open sites; see also question 2.03]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

4.1

become dominant in the ground vegetation where the soil has been eroded and depleted of phosphorus. [poor soils]

http://www.agrisoft-systems.de/omp_kb/pdfs/lsu.pdf

4.11

"Erect shrubs or small trees 1.5-5 m tall"

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

4.12

" form dense monotypic thickets up to 2 m tall and can crowd out native vegetation"

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

5.01

" Meyer (2000) describes the native distribution of M. candidum as Japan, South China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam, growing in light forests, clearings, and grass lands, or on rocky slopes from sea level to 1,500 m (4,921 ft) elevation."

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

5.02

shrubs or small trees

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

5.03

Melastomaceae

5.04

shrubs or small trees

6.01

"In Hawai'i, M. candidum has escaped from cultivation and is now locally abundant and invasive in mesic to wet areas, windward areas, and bog margins on Kaua'i, O'ahu, and Hawai'i from sea level up to about 900 m" [invade native habitat]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

6.02

"Propagation: Melastoma spp. can be propagated from seeds."

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

6.03

no evidence

6.04

no evidence

6.05

buzz pollinated by bees (Xylocopa )

http://www.geocities.com/sipirc2/85_10_1477.htm

6.06

no evidence

6.07

early successional shrub fast growth rate allow domination; minimum estimate 2-3 years]

7.01

can grow in wet areas [small seeds may stick to mud on shoes]

7.02

"cultivated in Hawai'i and other tropical areas as an ornamental shrub"

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

7.03

"Dispersal from inter-island horticulture exchange is also a threat as several species of Melastomataceae and other invasive weeds have been observed moving inter-island on hapu'u fern (Cibotium spp.) stumps and parts.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

7.04

"Berries 5-celled, 10-15 mm long"

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

7.05

Seen throughout valleys near streams. [fruits may float?]

http://www.mssrf.org/fris9809/fris1144.html

7.06

"From gardens, plants readily escape and are further spread by fruit eating birds and possibly other mammals"

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

7.07

no evidence

7.08

(1)"From gardens, plants readily escape and are further spread by fruit eating birds and possibly other mammals" (2)Fruits consumed by Polynesian rats

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm (2)http://wildlifedamage.unl.edu/handbook/handbook/allPDF/ro_b121.pdf

8.01

"Each tree produces millions of seeds that are spread by birds, other mammals, and people."

http://www.hear.org/oisc/pdfs/oisc_miconiacandidumflyer.pdf

8.02

no evidence

8.03

"Chemical control: Plants can probably be cut at the base and treated with an herbicide. Cut material should be disposed of properly. This method is useful to remove the plant with a small amount of non-target effects. Basal bark methods would probably work as well, but may not be desirable in a garden setting. It is uncertain whether foliar spray applications would work, and this would have the most non-target effects and may be un-sitely in a garden situation."

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm

8.04

"The vegetation of the site is dominated by scrub and grassland, characterised by Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Melastoma candidum, Cratoxylon spp. and Eupatorium odoratum. All of these species are typical of open habitats in an early successional stage following massive disturbance." [adapt to mass disturbance, but no direct evidence or coppice ability or other adaptations to mutiliation]

http://www.wing-wbsj.or.jp/~vietnam/source_book/sb_pdf/Nui_Coc.pdf

8.05

Biological control: Several moth species (Lepidoptera) have been purposely introduced as biological control agents for M. candidum (as M. malabathricum in Teramoto and Heu 2000). Two moths in the family Pyralidae have been released. Bocchoris adipalis Zell., native to Malaysia, was released in 1964 (Teramoto and Heu 2000). Another, Bocchoris fatualis (Lederer), native to the Philippines, was released in 1958 and is now established on Kaua'i (Teramoto and Heu 2000). A moth in the Arctiidae family, Selca brunella Hampson, native to Malaysia, was released in 1964 and is now established on the island of Hawai'i (Teramoto and Heu 2000).

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/melastoma_candidum.htm


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