Ochna serrulata (Hochst.) Walp. Family - Ochnaceae. Common Name(s) - Mickey Mouse plant, carnival bush, fynblaarrooihout, small-leaved plane. Synonym(s) - Ochna multiflora, Ochna atropurpurea

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01)

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

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

3.01

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

y

2

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)

y

4

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

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

4.09

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

y

1

4.10

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

n

0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y

1

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

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

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

4+

-1

7.01

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

n

-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

y

1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

n

-1

8.02

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

n

-1

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:

11

Notes

Reference

1.01

No, species has not been in domestication for at least 20 generations.

1.02

Answer not scored because conditions for scoring (1.01 must = y) were not met

1.03

Answer not scored because conditions for scoring (1.01 must = y) were not met

2.01

(1)"Distribution: Ochna serrulata occurs on the subtropical (east) coast of southern Africa where it is widely distributed from sea level to altitudes of up to 1 800 m. This species can be found on the margin of evergreen forests as well as in the forest, in scrub forests, on rocky hill slopes, in bushveld and it is common in the grasslands of KwaZulu-Natal and the former Transkei area. It is also found in the southeastern part of Western Cape and the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Swaziland. It often forms part of the understorey in the forest, although it grows in many different habitats." (2)"The native range is the eastern Cape of Good Hope region in South Africa" (3)"Subtropical .. [native to] Natal."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/ (2)Evenhuis, N.L. and S.E. Miller. 1998. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1997. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 56: 70 p. (3)Byrd Graf, A. 1981. Tropica Color Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants and Trees. Third Edition. Roehrs Company Publishers. East Rutherford, NJ. 1152 pages

2.02

Native range of this species is well known.

2.03

Yes, because it has broad alititudinal versatility (>1000) (1)"Distribution: Ochna serrulata occurs on the subtropical (east) coast of southern Africa where it is widely distributed from sea level to altitudes of up to 1 800 m." (2)Suited to "USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)"

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/ (2)Whitinger, D. Website: Dave's Garden. Accessed 2008. http://davesgarden.com/

2.04

Yes. See the following (1)"Distribution: Ochna serrulata occurs on the subtropical (east) coast of southern Africa where it is widely distributed from sea level to altitudes of up to 1 800 m. This species can be found on the margin of evergreen forests as well as in the forest, in scrub forests, on rocky hill slopes, in bushveld and it is common in the grasslands of KwaZulu-Natal and the former Transkei area. It is also found in the southeastern part of Western Cape and the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Swaziland. It often forms part of the understorey in the forest, although it grows in many different habitats." (2)"Ochna serrulata spreads from initial plantings via bird dispersed fruits and is naturalized in lowland disturbed mesic forests in at least Hawai'i and Australia"

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/ (2)Starr, F. and K. Starr. 2003. Plants of Hawaii: Ochna serrulata. United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division.

2.05

Not scored because conditions for scoring not met (3.01 must = "No" in order to score 2.05)

3.01

(1)"O. serrulata is the first ochna to be conclusively demonstrated to be naturalized here. Known to be planted at Manukä State Park (based on Flynn et al. 3940), O. serrulata was collected in 1997 approximately 1 mi away in dry ‘öhia forest, where it appears to be naturalized." (2)"Ochna serrulata spreads from initial plantings via bird dispersed fruits and is naturalized in lowland disturbed mesic forests in at least Hawai'i and Australia"

(1)Evenhuis, N.L. and S.E. Miller. 1998. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1997. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 56: 70 p. (2)Starr, F. and K. Starr. 2003. Plants of Hawaii: Ochna serrulata. United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division. (2)Starr, F. and K. Starr. 2003. Plants of Hawaii: Ochna serrulata. United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division.

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

(1)"O. serrulata has invaded rainforests, dry sclerophyll forests and riparian vegetation in coastal districts from Sydney to south-eastern Queensland … where it can dominate the shrub layer, In south-eastern Queensland, the species is ranked as one of the 25 most signigicant invasive plants, on the basis of both perceived detrimental environmental impacts … and invasiveness and frequency" (2)"O. serrulata is naturalized in dry sclerophyll forest and riparian vegetation throughout most of coastal, south-east Queensland" (3)"Ochna is another example of an ornamental species escaping into bushland. A native of Africa, it has been widely planted in Australian gardens for its strikingly attractive flowers. Ochna is easily dispersed to new areas when birds eat the fruits and spread the seeds. In south-east Queensland, this weed is commonly seen invading bare areas of disturbed riparian habitat."

(1)Gosper, C.R., G. Vivian-Smith and K. Hoad. 2006. Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 54(1) 43–52 (2)Csurhes, S. and R. Edwards. 1998. Potential environmental weeds in Australia. Queensland Department of Natural Resources Land Protection (3)Land Protection Staff. 2006. Ochna serrulata pest fact sheet. Queensland Government Natural Resources and Water PP89

3.05

Yes. The following all refer to the congener Ochna thomasiana. (1)"As recently as 1998 … what had long been called Ochna kirkii was reidentified, and its presence as a naturalized species was suggested. Field collections that document its establishment as a bona fide weedy element in the Hawaiian flora are now in hand. On Windward O‘ahu, O. thomasiana is widespread and abundant as an understory shrub in disturbed mesic forests. It is surely much more widespread than the following collections indicate. It will very likely be found on the neighbor islands as well." (2)"May be a noxious weed or invasive (defined as "Plants that take over and overwhelm other plants nearby. Usually needs to be restricted by regular pruning or deadheading and/or dividing the rootball")" (3)[Ochna thomasiana is] Listed as one of Hawaii's most invasive horticultural plants (4)Ochna thomasiana ppears in a table of "potential invasives" in French Polynesia (5)"This category includes species where no consensus on invasive status has been reached yet. Either a species is invasive only in restricted areas or evidence of invasion is too scarce for consensus to be reached … Ochna kirkii (syn. Thomasiana)grow infrequently on glacis (an artificial slope of earth in the front of contruction sites)… is moderately invasive."

(1)Evenhuis, N.L. and S.E. Miller. 1998. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1997. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 56: 70 p. (2)Whitinger, D. Website: Dave's Garden. Accessed 2008. http://davesgarden.com/ (3)Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). Webpage: Hawaii's Most Invasive Horticultural Plants. Accessed 2008. http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/hortweeds/specieslist.htm (4)Sherley, G. (tech. ed.). 2000. Invasive species in the Pacific: A technical review and draft regional strategy. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Samoa. 190 pp (5)Kueffer, C. and P. Vos. 2004. Case Studies on the Status of Invasive Woody Plant Species in the Western Indian Ocean 5. Seychelles. Forest Resources Development Service. Working Paper FBS/4-5E. Forest Resources Division. FAO, Rome, Italy

4.01

No see following description of branch and bark surfaces (1)"It has a slender stem with smooth, brown bark. The branches are covered with small, raised, light-coloured dots."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

4.02

There is no documentation in the horticultural literature suggesting this species is allelopathic.

4.03

Ochna does not appear on the USDA parasitic plant genera list (1)

(1)USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Staff. 2008. Parasitic Plant Genera List

4.04

Unknown. However one study found a conspecific to be unpalatable to grazers (1)"Five woody species had a low acceptance to both kudus and impalas year-round … Ochna pulchra"

(1)Owen-Smith, N. and S. M. Cooper. 1987. Palatability of woody plants to browsing ruminants in a South African savanna. Ecology. 68(2): 319-331

4.05

Unknown

4.06

Unknown

4.07

Unknown

4.08

Unknown

4.09

(1)"It enjoys full sun, but also does well in semi-shade where it is a natural understorey plant."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

4.10

(1)"Ochna serrulata (Mickey Mouse Plant) and Anredera cordifolia (Madeira vine) will be targeted in all sites in the reserve. Ochna seeds, spread by birds, germinate and grow quickly in the loamy soil." (2)"Ochna occurs in nutrient rich sites on both sandstone and shale. Like most successful weeds it is incredibly adaptable and can even grow in poor soil in arid places." (3)"Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)"

(1)Rockdale City Council on Historic Botany Bay. 2004. State of the Environment 2003-2004 Comprehensive Report. 94 pages (2)Noxious Weed Control Officer. 2008. Ochna serrulata. Sydney Weeds Committee. Warringah Council (3)Whitinger, D. Website: Dave's Garden. Accessed 2008. http://davesgarden.com/

4.11

No, see following growth habit description. (1)"Upright growing evergreen."

(1)Oakman, H. 1975. Tropical and Subtropical Gardening. The Jacaranda Press. Queensland. 224 pages

4.12

(1)"it forms dense thickets in which nothing else seems able to survive, and the ground becomes choked with seedlings. Natural regeneration is completely blocked"

(1)Hajkowicz, A. 1996. Mickey mouse plant (Ochna serrulata). Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network December 1996 Newsletter

5.01

No. Plant is terrestrial. See following description (1)"Ochna species are ornamental shrubs and tress native to tropical woodlands of Africa and Asia. Several species, including Ochna serrulata, are cultivated in Hawai'I for their colorful flowers and unusual fruits. On Maui, Ochna species are commonly seen in gardens as specimen plants or as hedges in residential and urban areas."

(1)Starr, F. and K. Starr. 2003. Plants of Hawaii: Ochna serrulata. United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division.

5.02

Not in the family Poaceae.

5.03

No evidence in literature that this plant has nitrogen-fixing capabilities.

5.04

No. reproduces by seed. Please refer to comments section of 6.02 for more information (1)"Propigated by seed"

(1)Oakman, H. 1975. Tropical and Subtropical Gardening. The Jacaranda Press. Queensland. 224 pages

6.01

Unknown

6.02

(1)"Ochna serrulata is propagated by seed and cuttings. Seed must be very fresh, it does not keep at all, not even in the fridge. Pick the ripe black fruits, clean them and sow them immediately to achieve best results. Germination should occur within 6 weeks." (2)"Germination occurred under all seed-processing treatments (with and without pulp, and figbird gut passage)" (3)"Propigated by seed."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/ (2)Gosper, C.R., G. Vivian-Smith and K. Hoad. 2006. Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 54(1) 43–52 (3)Oakman, H. 1975. Tropical and Subtropical Gardening. The Jacaranda Press. Queensland. 224 pages

6.03

Unknown

6.04

Unknown

6.05

No (1)"The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

6.06

(1)"Dispersal: Birds, dumping of clippings." (2)"It is quite difficult to grow the seed successfully, but a few small plants do appear in the garden after the first fruit season. Cuttings are, however, a more successful propigation method." (3)"Semi-hardwood cuttings may be taken in summer (December-February). Cuttings should be treated with a rooting hormone and set in the mist unit with bottom heat of approx. 24ºC. They take 4-6 weeks to develop roots after that they may be taken out of the mist unit and hardened off for 2 weeks and then potted up."

(1)Noxious Weed Control Officer. 2008. Ochna serrulata. Sydney Weeds Committee. Warringah Council (2)Pienaar, K. 1991. Gardening with Indigenous Plants: Easy to Grow Southern African Plants. Struik Timmins Publishers. Capetown, South Africa (3)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/

6.07

(1)"Plants reach maturity within four years and if damaged re-shoot vigorously from the base or taproot."

(1)Towerton, K. 2004. Weed watch: weeds found in Logan City. Logan Community Bushcare Program Newsletter No 10 2004

7.01

No seeds are large approximately (7 mm in length and 6 mm in width) (1).

(1)Gosper, C.R., G. Vivian-Smith and K. Hoad. 2006. Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 54(1) 43–52

7.02

Grown and sold in the horticultural community, this plant is promoted for its (1)"very attractive flowers" among other traits. (2)"This is a small shrub that is at its showiest when the persistent petals turn blood-red and the 5 shiny black fruits, like seeds, are borne on the fleshy base of each flower. This creates a spendid colour contrast of black on red."

(1)Holttum, R.E. and I. Enoch. 1991. Gardening in the tropics. Times Editions Pte Ltd. Times Centre, Singapore. 384 pages (2)Pienaar, K. 1991. Gardening with Indigenous Plants: Easy to Grow Southern African Plants. Struik Timmins Publishers. Capetown, South Africa

7.03

No. Seeds are large (on average 7 mm long and 6 mm wide) (1).

(1)Gosper, C.R., G. Vivian-Smith and K. Hoad. 2006. Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 54(1) 43–52

7.04

No. Seeds are large drupes (approx. 7 mm long and 6 mm wide)(1)(2)"The fruit is a dupe, 5-8 mm long. They are oval and form in-groups of 4-6"

(1)Gosper, C.R., G. Vivian-Smith and K. Hoad. 2006. Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 54(1) 43–52 (2)Towerton, K. 2004. Weed watch: weeds found in Logan City. Logan Community Bushcare Program Newsletter No 10 2004

7.05

(1)"Means of spread: … Seeds could also be moved by water if close to a watercourse."

(1)Towerton, K. 2004. Weed watch: weeds found in Logan City. Logan Community Bushcare Program Newsletter No 10 2004

7.06

(1)"Seeds were dispersed by figbirds, Sphecotheres viridis … a locally abundant frugivore … Ochna serrulata drupes have several characteristics that render them particularily attractive to bird consumers. First, the drupes and seed are relatively small. More bird species and individuals usually visit plants with smaller fruits and/or seeds than with larger fruits and seeds." (2)"Ochna is easily dispersed to new areas when birds eat the fruits and spread the seeds."

(1)Gosper, C.R., G. Vivian-Smith and K. Hoad. 2006. Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 54(1) 43–52 (2)Land Protection Staff. 2006. Ochna serrulata pest fact sheet. Queensland Government Natural Resources and Water PP89

7.07

Drupes have no external means of attachment (1)

(1)Gosper, C.R., G. Vivian-Smith and K. Hoad. 2006. Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 54(1) 43–52

7.08

Yes, as seeds are bird dispersed and remain viable after passage through the gut. For more information see 7.06 comments section

8.01

Unlikely, as seeds are large. The growth form is a shrub and there are only five fruits per flower each with one seed each(1)(2)"The fruit is a dupe, 5-8 mm long. They are oval and form in-groups of 4-6 [per flower]"

(1)Gosper, C.R., G. Vivian-Smith and K. Hoad. 2006. Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 54(1) 43–52 (2)Towerton, K. 2004. Weed watch: weeds found in Logan City. Logan Community Bushcare Program Newsletter No 10 2004

8.02

(1)"Seed persistence was low, particularily under field conditions, with 0.75% seed viability after 6 months and 0% at 12 months."

(1)Gosper, C.R., G. Vivian-Smith and K. Hoad. 2006. Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 54(1) 43–52

8.03

(1)"The most effective herbicide tested was fluroxypyr. All treatments containing fluroxypyr were effective in killing ochna, between 10 and 18 months after application. The two mechanical treatments (removal of seedlings and adult crowns) were also very effective. However these were time consuming and would only be appropriate for scattered plants or light infestations." (2)"Basal bark and cut stump treatments with 17 Ml Garlon 600® and 35 Ml Starane® 200/L in diesel have showed the best control. Foliar spray 10 Ml/L or splatter gun applications 50 Ml/L of glyphosate or Starane® 200 in water on plants less than 2 m tall also provided control." (3)"Cut through the main stem, and scour or scrape the bark below with a sharp knife. Paint with an undiluted glyphosate-based product. Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control." (4)"The seedlings and small plants can be dug out or hand-pulled, particularly if the soils are moist. Larger plants can be treated using Cut-paint or Filling methods. Plants can also be sprayed with selective and nonselective herbicides however this may need to be undertaken several times, as the plant often re-shoots. The best time to spray is the spring and summer growing season, but avoid spraying in extended dry periods."

(1)Breaden, R. 2004. Control methods for ochna (Ochna serrulata) (Hochst.) Walp. In south-east Queensland. Plant Protection Quarterly. 19(1): 33-35 (2)Armstrong, T., E. Sparkes, P. Shortis, M. Rogers, R. Breaden and R. Galagher. 2004. Screening of weed control methods: southern Queensland. Technical Highlights Weed and pest animal research 2002 – 2003 (3)Noxious Weed Control Officer. 2008. Ochna serrulata. Sydney Weeds Committee. Warringah Council (4)Towerton, K. 2004. Weed watch: weeds found in Logan City. Logan Community Bushcare Program Newsletter No 10 2004

8.04

(1)"It can be used as a formal or informal hedge, because of its resistance to wind and tolerance of clipping." (2)"wind resistant …This tree can be shaped and pruned neatly after the flowering and fruit season." (3)"if damaged re-shoot vigorously from the base or taproot."

(1)South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Webpage: PlantZAfrica. Acessed 2008. http://www.plantzafrica.com/ (2)Pienaar, K. 1991. Gardening with Indigenous Plants: Easy to Grow Southern African Plants. Struik Timmins Publishers. Capetown, South Africa (3)Towerton, K. 2004. Weed watch: weeds found in Logan City. Logan Community Bushcare Program Newsletter No 10 2004

8.05

Unknown