Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Myrciaria cauliflora


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -2


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Myrciaria cauliflora (C. Martius) O. Berg Family -Myrtaceae. Common Names(s) - Jaboticaba, Brazilian-grape tree. Synonym(s) - Eugenia cauliflora DC..

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

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

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

-2

3.02

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

n=0

n

0

3.03

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

n=0

n

0

3.04

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

n=0

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

4+

-1

7.01

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

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.02

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

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

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

Total score:

-2

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

(1)M. cauliflora differs mainly from the other species in the large size of the tree and of the fruits. The well-known variety 'Coroa' is believed to belong to this species, also 'Murta' which has smaller leaves and larger fruits. The latter was among those sent to California in 1904...'Sabará, a form of M. cauliflora, is the most prized and most often planted. The fruit is small, thin-skinned and sweet. The tree is of medium size, precocious, and very productive. Early in season; bears 4 crops a year. [although different cultivars are grown, many are selected for greater fruit production, with no indication that this reduces their competitive ability]

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [12 Feb 2009]

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)S Brazil, NE Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia.

(1)Hanelt, P., R. Büttner, Rudolf Mansfeld and Ruth Kilian. 2001. Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

2.02

(1)S Brazil, NE Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia [native range within tropical regions]

(1)Hanelt, P., R. Büttner, Rudolf Mansfeld and Ruth Kilian. 2001. Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

2.03

(1)Zone 10 and 11; marginal in zone 9b

(1)Riffle, R. L. 1998. The Tropical Look: An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscape Plants. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

2.04

(1)S Brazil, NE Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia. (2)M. cauliflora is native to the hilly region around Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, Brazil, also around Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Asunción, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina.

(1)Hanelt, P., R. Büttner, Rudolf Mansfeld and Ruth Kilian. 2001. Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

2.05

(1)Cultivated as fruit tree in tropical and subtropical America, occasionally in other tropical regions of the world. (2)Cultivated for fruit in South Africa. (3)Cultivated in Hawaii

(1)Hanelt, P., R. Büttner, Rudolf Mansfeld and Ruth Kilian. 2001. Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany. (2)Sheat, B., W G Sheat and G. Schofield. 1995. Complete Gardening in Southern Africa. Struik Publishers. Cape Town, South Africa. (3)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

3.01

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

3.02

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

3.03

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

3.04

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

3.05

(1)No species of Myrciaria listed as naturalized or invasive

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

4.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

4.02

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [12 Feb 2009]

4.03

(1)No evidence

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

4.04

Unknown

4.05

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [12 Feb 2009]

4.06

(1)Pests and Diseases There do not appear to be significant pest or diseases problems on Jaboticaba. (2)The rust fungus Puccinia psidii infects the foliage and causes dieback of actively growing tips on several myrtaceous plants in South and Central America...Results showed Callistemon viminalis, Eugenia reinwardtiana, M. decora, M. quinquenervia, Myrcianthes fragrans, Myrciaria cauliflora, P. dioica, and Psidium guajava to be susceptible to both isolates. [Myrciaria cauliflora potential alternate hose for Puccinia psidii]

(1)http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/MYRCAUA.PDF [Accessed 12 Feb 2009] (2)Rayachhetry, M. B., T. K. Van, T. D. Center, and M. L. Elliott. 2001. Host Range of Puccinia psidii, a Potential Biological Control Agent of Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida. Biological Control 22: 38–4.

4.07

(1)Toxicity: Regular, quantity consumption of the skins should be avoided because of the high tannin content, inasmuch as tannin is antinutrient and carcinogenic if intake is frequent and over a long period of time. [no acute toxicity but possible chronic effects] (2)The astringent decoction of the sun-dried skins is prescribed in Brazil as a treatment for hemoptysis, asthma, diarrhea and dysentery; also as a gargle for chronic inflammation of the tonsils. Such use may also lead to excessive consumption of tannin (carcinogenic if taken over a long period of time)

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009] (2)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/199200474.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

4.08

(1)Its natural habitat is in the tropical forest of Brazil (near the tropic of Capricorn). [no evidence of fire risk or fire hazard in natural ecosystems]

(1)Valio, I. F. M. and Z. D. L. Ferreira. 1992. GERMINATION OF SEEDS OF Myrciaria Cauliflora (MART.) BERG.(MYRTHACEAE). R. Bras. Fisiol. Veg. 4(2): 95-98.

4.09

(1)Full to part sun. (2)A full sun location is preferable but adequate growth can be maintained in partial shade with direct sun for part of the day.

(1)Llamas, K. A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR. (2)http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/MYRCAUA.PDF [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

4.10

(1)While the tree is said to succeed on any soil, it prefers one that is rich and deep. (2)Jaboticaba trees grow best on deep, rich, well-drained soil, but have grown and borne well on sand in central Florida and have been fairly satisfactory in the southern part of the state on oolitic limestone

(1)Popenoe, W. 1920. Manual of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Excluding the Banana, Coconut, Pineapple, Citrus Fruits, Olive, and Fig. Norwood Press. Norwood, MA. (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

4.11

(1)…a slow-growing, multitrunked tree up to 35' tall.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

4.12

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [12 Feb 2009]

5.01

(1)Terrestrial

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

5.02

(1)Myrtaceae

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

5.03

(1)Myrtaceae

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

5.04

(1)…a slow-growing, multitrunked tree up to 35' tall.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

6.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Valio, I. F. M. and Z. D. L. Ferreira. 1992. GERMINATION OF SEEDS OF Myrciaria Cauliflora (MART.) BERG.(MYRTHACEAE). R. Bras. Fisiol. Veg. 4(2): 95-98.

6.02

(1)Propagation is usually by seed. (2)There may be 1 to 5 oval to nearly round but flattened, hard to tender, light-brown seeds, 1/4 to 1/2 in (6-12.5 mm) long, but often some are abortive.

(1)Popenoe, W. 1920. Manual of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Excluding the Banana, Coconut, Pineapple, Citrus Fruits, Olive, and Fig. Norwood Press. Norwood, MA. (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

6.03

(1)Many cultivated forms are believed to be interspecific hybrids. [unknown if natural hybridization can occur]

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

6.04

(1)The most widespread species, Myrciaria cauliflora, produces apomictic embryos and, for this reason, shows very little genetic variability... (2)It has been reported from Brazil that solitary jaboticaba trees bear poorly compared with those planted in groups, which indicates that cross-pollination enhances productivity.

(2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [12 Feb 2009]

6.05

(1)An experiment was conducted to verify the attraction of insects to the flowers of Brazilian grape tree (Myrciaria cauliflora) and the effect of insect visits on fruit production. The development time and the amount of soluble sugar in the flower nectar soluble were also observed. Four-hundred flower buds were tagged (200 covered and 200 uncovered), with 5 replications to determine fruiting percentage. Only the bees Apis mellifera, Tetragonisca angustula, Chloralictus sp. and Trigona spinipes visited the flowers (98.0, 0.88, 0.57 and 0.55%, respectively), exclusively collecting pollen. Fruiting percentage did not differ between covered (19.80%) and uncovered (18.62%) treatments, showing that the bees visits did not affect fruit production.

(1)Malerbo-Souza, D.T., R. H. Nogueira-Couto and V. de Alencar Arnaut e Toledo. 2004. Bees visits associated to Brazilian grape tree flowers (Myrciaria cauliflora Berg.) and fruit production. Acta Scientiarum. Animal Sciences 26(1): 1-4.

6.06

(1)Jaboticabas are usually grown from seeds in South America. These are nearly always polyembryonic, producing 4 to 6 plants per seed. They germinate in 20 to 40 days. Selected strains can be reproduced by inarching (approach-grafting) or air-layering. Budding is not easily accomplished because of the thinness of the bark and hardness of the wood. Side-veneer grafting is fairly successful. And experimental work has shown that propagation by tissue culture may be feasible. [No evidence]

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

6.07

(1)Its growth is slow, six to eight years being required for it to come into bearing.

(1)Popenoe, W. 1920. Manual of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Excluding the Banana, Coconut, Pineapple, Citrus Fruits, Olive, and Fig. Norwood Press. Norwood, MA.

7.01

(1)Three times a year is bears masses of 0.25" diameter white flowers and grapelike, 0.66-1.5" diameter purple-black berries directly on the trunk and main branches…The edible fruit contains 1-5 ovoid, flattened seeds. [no evidence, and no means of external attachment]

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

7.02

(1)Perhaps the most popular native fruit tree in Brazil…The fruit is eaten fresh, made into jams and jellies, or used to make wine.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

7.03

(1)No evidence, and seeds lose viability quickly

(1)Valio, I. F. M. and Z. D. L. Ferreira. 1992. GERMINATION OF SEEDS OF Myrciaria Cauliflora (MART.) BERG.(MYRTHACEAE). R. Bras. Fisiol. Veg. 4(2): 95-98.

7.04

(1)Three times a year is bears masses of 0.25" diameter white flowers and grapelike, 0.66-1.5" diameter purple-black berries directly on the trunk and main branches.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

7.05

(1)Three times a year is bears masses of 0.25" diameter white flowers and grapelike, 0.66-1.5" diameter purple-black berries directly on the trunk and main branches. [fleshy fruits adapted or bird and mammal dispersal, no evidence that seeds or fruits float]

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

7.06

(1)Three times a year is bears masses of 0.25" diameter white flowers and grapelike, 0.66-1.5" diameter purple-black berries directly on the trunk and main branches. (2)Fruit-eating birds are very troublesome to jaboticaba growers in Brazil.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

7.07

(1)No means of external attachment

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

7.08

(1)Three times a year is bears masses of 0.25" diameter white flowers and grapelike, 0.66-1.5" diameter purple-black berries directly on the trunk and main branches. (2)In Florida, raccoons and opossums make raids on jaboticabas.

(1)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

8.01

(1)Fully grown, the tree bears several crops per year. [large trees with multiple fruiting seasons can produce numerous seeds, but with short viability. See 8.02] (2)Multi-trunked tree up to 35' tall...Three times a year is bears masses of 0.25" diameter white flowers and grapelike, 0.66-1.5" diameter purple-black berries directly on the trunk and main branches. (3)There may be 1 to 5 oval to nearly round but flattened, hard to tender, light-brown seeds, 1/4 to 1/2 in (6-12.5 mm) long

(1)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/199200474.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009] (2)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (3)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jaboticabas.html [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

8.02

(1)ABSTRACT- Germination of seeds of Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) Berg. is indifferent to light. After 12 days of incubation almost 100% of germination was obtained at 30 oC. Moisture content of the seeds was associated to the germination process. Below 30% moisture, seeds failed to germinate. These seeds are short-lived even at high moisture levels. Leakage of electrolytes and organic solutes suggested membrane deterioration as the main factor responsible for the loss of viability. Storage conditions which avoid dehydration of the seeds are necessary to extend viability...The results of seeds germination with different moisture contents showed a typical behavior of recalcitrant seeds. Independent of the drying rate, seed viability was strongly reduced by low moisture content. Such seeds need a high moisture content to maintain their viability. They are also known as non- orthodox seeds.

(1)Valio, I. F. M. and Z. D. L. Ferreira. 1992. GERMINATION OF SEEDS OF Myrciaria Cauliflora (MART.) BERG.(MYRTHACEAE). R. Bras. Fisiol. Veg. 4(2): 95-98. (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61077/ [Accessed 12 Feb 2009]

8.03

Unknown

8.04

Unknown

8.05

(1)The rust fungus Puccinia psidii infects the foliage and causes dieback of actively growing tips on several myrtaceous plants in South and Central America...Results showed Callistemon viminalis, Eugenia reinwardtiana, M. decora, M. quinquenervia, Myrcianthes fragrans, Myrciaria cauliflora, P. dioica, and Psidium guajava to be susceptible to both isolates [host of Puccinia psidii which is now widespread in Hawaiian Islands]

(1)Rayachhetry, M. B., T. K. Van, T. D. Center, and M. L. Elliott. 2001. Host Range of Puccinia psidii, a Potential Biological Control Agent of Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida. Biological Control 22: 38–4.


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