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

Michelia x alba (white champaca, white champak, white sandalwood) [Synonym: Michelia longifolia]

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

n

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

1

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

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

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

n

3.04

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

n=0

n

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

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

n

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

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

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

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

5

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

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

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:

-6

Notes

Source

1.01

Michelia ×alba DC. = [M. champaca × M. montana]; Distributional range: only cultivated

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?Michelia+alba (06 December 2003)

1.02

No evidence. 'Distributional range: only cultivated '

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Michelia+alba

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1) Michelia alba, a native of China
(2) Distributional range: only cultivated
(3) native to Souther China, Himalaya, India, Java

(1) http://www.sptimes.com/News/031800/Homeandgarden/Beautiful_bloomer.shtml
(2) 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?Michelia+alba (06 December 2003)
(3) http://netcity3.web.hinet.net/UserData/wbrlm258/micheli_.htm

2.02

[hybrid might not have same climate requirements as parents]

2.03

(1) Michelia alba, a native of China
(2) Distributional range: only cultivated
(3) native to Souther China, Himalaya, India, Java

(1) http://www.sptimes.com/News/031800/Homeandgarden/Beautiful_bloomer.shtml
(2) 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?Michelia+alba (06 December 2003)
(3) http://netcity3.web.hinet.net/UserData/wbrlm258/micheli_.htm

2.04

(1) Michelia alba, a native of China
(2) Distributional range: only cultivated
(3) native to Souther China, Himalaya, India, Java

(1) http://www.sptimes.com/News/031800/Homeandgarden/Beautiful_bloomer.shtml
(2) 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?Michelia+alba (06 December 2003)
(3) http://netcity3.web.hinet.net/UserData/wbrlm258/micheli_.htm

2.05

'Michelia alba DC.Is now cultivated for ornamental purposes in most tropical and lower subtropical countries.'

http://news.gzic.gd.cn/www/gz_analysis/English/flower/hua613.htm

3.01

No evidence. 'Distributional range: only cultivated '

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Michelia+alba

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence of such structures.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

[based on M. champaca of which M. alba is a hybrid] a fooder tree

Paudel, K. C.; Suwal, M. R. S.; Adhikari, B. (1997) Results of a fodder tree elimination trial at community managed kharbari land in the low hills of Western Nepal. Working Paper - Lumle Agricultural Research Centre, 1997, No.97/64, 6 pp., 1 ref.

4.05

No evidence

4.06

The following 4 fungi species were found to be associated with Michelia alba: Asterina micheliae: Brunei - 6778
Colletotrichum magnoliae: China - 8097
Lentinus tigrinus: Taiwan -
Triposporiopsis spinigera: China - 8097
None of the above were found to be recognized pests.

4.07

No evidence

4.08

Single trunked evergreen tree

4.09

(1)full sun to partial sun

http://netcity3.web.hinet.net/UserData/wbrlm257/micheli_.htm

4.1

prefer wet, loamy soil rich in organic matters

http://netcity3.web.hinet.net/UserData/wbrlm258/micheli_.htm

4.11

No evidence. A tree

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Terrestial

5.02

A shrub

5.03

No evidence

5.04

No evidence

6.01

'In Guangzhou, the Michelia can grow 10 to 20 meters high.The flowers are highly prized by people and are often made into necklaces.

http://news.gzic.gd.cn/www/gz_analysis/English/flower/hua613.htm

6.02

seedlings start to flower only after 5 years

http://203.72.96.6/plant/Plant25.htm

6.03

Michelia ×alba DC. = [M. champaca × M. montana]; Distributional range: only cultivated [this species appears to be a hybrid but don't know if it hybridizes naturally]

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?Michelia+alba (06 December 2003)

6.04

6.05

[based on M. champaca of which M. alba is a hybrid] (1)Entomophilous; via beetles. [Magnoliaceae; possibly specialists] (2)The heady fragrance is most noticeable in the evening, when moths perform their pollination duties.

(1)http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/angio/www/magnolia.htm (2)http://brisbane.citysearch.com.au/profile?id=27153

6.06

No evidence

6.07

seedlings start to flower only after 5 years

http://203.72.96.6/plant/Plant25.htm

7.01

large seeds

7.02

'The flowers are highly prized by people and are often made into necklaces.Both the flowers and leaves are highly aromatic and can be used in fragrance production.'

7.03

[based on M. champaca of which M. alba is a hybrid] Probably not - seeds relatively large 0.6/1.0 cm. No evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

Rao, M.P.R. 1975. Seed anatomy of Michelia champaca with comments on the primitiveness of Magnoiaceous seed. Phyto morphology. 25(1): 81- 90.

7.04

No evidence

7.05

No evidence

7.06

[based on M. champaca of which M. alba is a hybrid] AB: The migrant bird Tersina viridis utilizes arillate seeds of the Asian tree Michelia champaca. The seeds are defecated intact by the birds. Ingested seeds showed higher germination rates in swamp habitats of southeastern Brazil. This study is the first evidence of a possible way of adaptation this exotic tree.

TI: Testing a biological model of adaptation for the exotic tree Michelia champaca L. (Magnoliaceae) in Brazil.
AU: Figueiredo-Rodolfo-A-De
SO: Ciencia-e-Cultura-Sao-Paulo. 1997; 49 (4) 278-280..

7.07

No evidence

7.08

[based on M. champaca of which M. alba is a hybrid] AB: The migrant bird Tersina viridis utilizes arillate seeds of the Asian tree Michelia champaca. The seeds are defecated intact by the birds. Ingested seeds showed higher germination rates in swamp habitats of southeastern Brazil. This study is the first evidence of a possible way of adaptation this exotic tree.

TI: Testing a biological model of adaptation for the exotic tree Michelia champaca L. (Magnoliaceae) in Brazil.
AU: Figueiredo-Rodolfo-A-De
SO: Ciencia-e-Cultura-Sao-Paulo. 1997; 49 (4) 278-280..

8.01

[based on M. champaca of which M. alba is a hybrid] (1)Probably not - seeds relatively large 0.6/1.0cm. (2)There are approximately 14,000-17,000 seeds per kilogram.

(1) Rao, M.P.R. 1975. Seed anatomy of Michelia champaca with comments on the primitiveness of Magnoiaceous seed. Phyto morphology. 25(1): 81- 90. (2)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

8.02

[based on M. champaca of which M. alba is a hybrid] (1) 'M. champaca can be readily propagated from seed in the nursery, although seeds should be sown within two weeks of collection as they rapidly lose viability.'
(2) AB: Depulped seeds extracted from fresh fruits were treated by: mechanical scarification; soaking in boiled water or sulphuric acid for 5 min; removing the seed coat; pre-chilling at 5 deg C for 1-7 months; or treating with 250 p.p.m. GA3 for 24 h. Germination tests were made in sterilized quartz sand in enamel trays under controlled conditions (30 deg C with 7 h light). Watering was done when required and germination recorded for 60 days. Some 90% of seeds were filled and sound but only 2% of untreated seeds germinated. None of the seed coat softening treatments increased germination. Pre-chilling at 5 deg C slightly increased germination (36% after 4 months treatment). The best response was to GA3 treatment so further concentrations of this were tested (0, 10, 50, 100, 300, 500, 750 and 100

(1) CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International
(2) Bahuguna, V. K.; Rawat, M. M. S.; Naithani, K. C. (1988) Studies on dormancy and treatment to enhance germination of champa (Michelia champaca, Linn.) seed. Indian Forester, 1988, Vol.114, No.6, pp.317-319, 3 ref.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

[based on M. champaca of which M. alba is a hybrid] suited for coppicing

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

8.05

Don’t know