Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Odontonema cuspidatum


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 7


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

Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees) Kuntze. Family - Acanthaceae. Common Name(s) - Fire spike. Synonym(s): Odontonema strictum (Nees) Kuntze.

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

y

1

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

y

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

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

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

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, 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

y

1

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

y

1

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

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

y

-1

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.07

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

See left

1

1

7.01

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

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-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

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

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

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

7

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

no evidence

 

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Range.—Cardinal's guard is native from Mexico to Panama (Stevens, W.D., C. Ulloa-U., A. Pool, and O.M. Montiel (eds.). 2001. Flora de Nicaragua. Monographs in systematic botany Vol. 85, No. 1. Missouri Botanical Garden Press. 943 p.).

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard

Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf>

2.02

2.03

(1)"In central America, it grows from near sea level to 1,400 m in elevation America, it grows from near sea level to 1,400 m in elevation" (2)Zones 8-11 (3)Specimens reported up to 1900 m (Mexico) and as low as 150m

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf> (2)http://www.tytyga.com/perrenials/southern/pg37.htm (3)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast

2.04

Range.—Cardinal's guard is native from Mexico to Panama (Stevens, W.D., C. Ulloa-U., A. Pool, and O.M. Montiel (eds.). 2001. Flora de Nicaragua. Monographs in systematic botany Vol. 85, No. 1. Missouri Botanical Garden Press. 943 p.).

John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf>

2.05

(1)The species has naturalized and escaped in at least Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba (Liogier, H.A. 1997. Descriptive flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent islands. Vol. 5. Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR. 436 p.), and is widely grown as an ornamental in Florida (Watkins, J.V. 1975. Florida landscape plants, native and exotic. The University Presses of Florida, Gainesville, FL. 420 p.). (2) Voted Florida's plant of the year during the year 2000

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guardAvailable at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf> (2)http://www.tytyga.com/perrenials/southern/pg37.htm

3.01

(1)"Fire spike was first reported as a naturalized species by Lorence et al. (1995) from the island of Kaua'i. The following collections document its widespread distribution on the Big Island. Elsewhere in these Records it is documented as naturalized on Maui (Oppenheimer & Bartlett, 2002). Grown throughout the state as an ornamental shrub, O. cuspidatum is likely to escape and become naturalized anywhere it is grown." (2)The species has naturalized and escaped in at least Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba (Liogier, H.A. 1997.Most of the stands of cardinal’s guard in Puerto Rico have originated from abandoned gardens or errant pieces of stem or root that have been transported by streams or dumped in the woods with garden prunings. Once established, plants spread by root suckers. The stems also layer (root) readily when they become prostrate. (3)Florida: Rare escape from cultivation in disturbed hammocks

(1)Staples, G.W., Imada, C.T. & Herbst, D.R. (2000) New Hawaiian Plant Records for 2000. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2000. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 68: 3–18. p.4 (2)http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf (3)Wunderlin, R.P. 1998. Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

Occurs in native montane forests of Tahiti, but impacts uncertain. Concern also exists for its ability to invade native hardwood hammock forest in Florida (ref. 2) (1)Odontonema strictum is an erect shrub widely planted for its spikes of attractive crimson-red tubular flowers. The species is named O. cuspidatum , O. callistachyum or O. tubiforme (syn. O. tubaeforme ) according to different authors. We found dense monospecific stands (between 100 m 2 and 500 m 2 ) in the islands of Oahu (Hawaiian Is.), Tahiti (French Polynesia) and Upolu (Samoa) in the understorey of secondary low- and mid-elevation wet forest, but also in native montane rain forest up to 900 m elevation in Tahiti. (2)Caution: Do not plant within 500 of native hardwood hammock in Miami-Dade County...Miami-Dade County restricts certain species from being planted within 500 feet of the native habitats that they are known to invade; these plants are allowed to be planted in home landscapes as long as they are more than 500 feet from the designated native habitat(s).

(1)Meyer, J-Y. and C. Lavergne. 2004. Beautés fatales : Acanthaceae speciesas invasive alien plants on tropical Indo-Pacific Islands. Diversity and Distributions 10: 333–347. (2)Haynes, J., J. McLaughlin, L. Vasquez and A. Hunsberger. 2001. Low-Maintenance Landscape Plants for South Florida. Document ENH854, IFAS, University of Florida. Available at http://www.floridaplants.com/Reprints/lowmaintenance.pdf [Accessed 22 Oct 2008]

3.05

no evidence

4.01

no description of these traits

John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf>

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

(1)Unfortunately, white-tailed deer love firespike too, and will eat the leaves. Defoliated plants will grow new leaves, but if the deer persist, the plant eventually will be killed.

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/O/odon_str.cfm [Accessed 22 Oct 2008]

4.05

no evidence

4.06

(1)the plants are mostly free of pests and disease but may occasionally be attacked by mealy bugs

(1)http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf

4.07

No other references found that indicate this species is toxic or poisonous. (1)Caution: All parts of the plant are poisonous. Do not ingest or burn any part of plant. Seek immediate medical treatment for any allergic reaction.

(1)http://jennysgarden.com/Landscaping/Odontonema_strictum-Firespike-Scarletflame-Cardinal_Guard.htm [Accessed 22 Oct 2008]

4.08

no evidence

4.09

(1)Ecology.—Cardinal’s guard is moderately tolerant of shade and will bloom in full sun, broken sun, and moderate shade (author's observation, Blomber 2000). (2) Loves shade or full sun and never a shy performer (3)The Firespike is a plant which solves the problem of most landscapers who have a shady area in which very few plants will grow, much less bloom. Firespike will not only grow in the shade but plants will provide a magnificent display of practically glow-in-the-dark red bloom spikes

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf> (2)http://www.tytyga.com/perrenials/southern/pg37.htm (3)http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/98promotions/march/march.html

4.10

(1)"Cardinal’s guard prospers on fertile and moderately fertile soils that are continually moist." (2)This plant can be grown in heavy clay soils (3)Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) (4)This Shrub will grow well in a wide variety of loam or soils pertaining to most average garden situations , a pH which can apply to most normal garden soil conditions (5)While it is tolerant of a wide range of soils from acidic to slightly alkaline, it shows very little tolerance for salt.

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf> (2)http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/98promotions/march/march.html (3)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1854/ [Accessed 22 Oct 2008] (4)http://www.plant-supplies.com/plants/odontonemastrictum.htm [Accessed 25 Oct 2008] (5)http://mariesgarden.com/fom/October/Odontonema.htm [Accessed 25 Oct 2008]

4.11

shrub

4.12

(1)Odontonema strictum is an erect shrub widely planted for its spikes of attractive crimson-red tubular flowers. The species is named O. cuspidatum , O. callistachyum or O. tubiforme (syn. O. tubaeforme ) according to different authors. We found dense monospecific stands (between 100 m 2 and 500 m 2 ) in the islands of Oahu (Hawaiian Is.), Tahiti (French Polynesia) and Upolu (Samoa) in the understorey of secondary low- and mid-elevation wet forest, but also in native montane rain forest up to 900 m elevation in Tahiti.

(1)Meyer, J-Y. and C. Lavergne. 2004. Beautés fatales : Acanthaceae speciesas invasive alien plants on tropical Indo-Pacific Islands. Diversity and Distributions 10: 333–347.

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

Acanthaceae

 

5.03

no evidence

5.04

shrub

6.01

no evidence

6.02

(1)"Although the species is common in Puerto Rico, the plants produce few viable seeds. Capsules fall off before drying and liberating seeds. Fresh capsules collected in Puerto Rico weighed an average of 0.0095 + 0.0002 g/capsule. One hundred of these capsules were sown on moist potting mix and only a single seedling emerged." [very low viability]

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf>

6.03

no evidence

6.04

no evidence

6.05

(1)"It is also popular in gardens because it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds that feed on the nectar."; "Although the species is common in Puerto Rico, the plants produce few viable seeds. Capsules fall off before drying and liberating seeds. Fresh capsules collected in Puerto Rico weighed an average of 0.0095 + 0.0002 g/capsule. One hundred of these capsules were sown on moist potting mix and only a single seedling emerged." [Could the low viability in Puerto Rico (where the plant is exotic) relates to pollinator requirement?; Floral structure suggests specialist (hummingbird) pollinator] (2)hummingbird

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf> (2)www.houstonaudubon.org/hummingbirds.html

6.06

"Once established, plants spread by root suckers. The stems also layer (root) readily when they become prostrate."

John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf>

6.07

Rapid growth rate and ability to spread vegetatively suggest that this species will be able to reproduce in 1 year or less (1)Fast growth rate; easily transplanted. (2)It grows 6-feet tall in moist, fertile soil; its height and fast growth rate make Firespike a good summer screen or accent. (3)Softwood cuttings are very easy to root, and they will bloom in their first year. It is sometimes possible (if you're lucky) to cut a branch and just stick it in the ground where you want a new plant.

(1)Clay, H.F. and J.C. Hubbard. 1977. The Hawaii Garden. Tropical Shrubs. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu. (2)Anonymous. 2007. Red-Hot Firespike Is Easy To Grow In Sun or Partial Shade. Southeast District Commercial Horticulture 2(2): 1-4. Available at http://www.ugaextension.com/bamboo/documents/April07newsletter.pdf (3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/O/odon_str.cfm [Accessed 22 Oct 2008]

7.01

(1)Cardinal’s guard is most common in disturbed areas , along streams and drains, and in extra moist places in secondary forests. Most of the stands of cardinal’s guard in Puerto Rico have originated from abandoned gardens or errant pieces of stem or root that have been transported by streams or dumped in the woods with garden prunings. Once established, plants spread by root suckers. The stems also layer (root) readily when they become prostrate.

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf>

7.02

(1)"It is used as an accent and background plant and sometimes employed to form hedges. It is also popular in gardens because it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds that feed on the nectar ."

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf>

7.03

no evidence

7.04

(1)Capsules fall off before drying and liberating seeds. (2)Fruit elastically dehiscent [Acanthaceae]

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf> (2)http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/angio/www/acanthac.htm

7.05

(1)Cardinal’s guard is most common in disturbed areas (Stevens and others 2001), along streams and drains, and in extra moist places in secondary forests. Most of the stands of cardinal’s guard in Puerto Rico have originated from abandoned gardens or errant pieces of stem or root that have been transported by streams or dumped in the woods with garden prunings.

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf>

7.06

fruit a small capsule

 

7.07

no evidence

7.08

no evidence of ingestion

 

8.01

(1)"Fruits are clavate capsules 1 to 2 cm long that contain flattened semiorbicular seeds (Liogier 1997)."; "Although the species is common in Puerto Rico, the plants produce few viable seeds. Capsules fall off before drying and liberating seeds. Fresh capsules collected in Puerto Rico weighed an average of 0.0095 + 0.0002 g/capsule. One hundred of these capsules were sown on moist potting mix and only a single seedling emerged." (2)Fruit infrequently formed in cultivation

(1)John K. Francis, (Research Forester, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Río Piedras, PR 00928-5000). Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees in DC.) Kuntze; cardinal's guard Available at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf> (2)Whistler, W.A. 2000 Tropical Ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland.

8.02

unknown

8.03

unknown

8.04

(1)must be pruned frequently when used as hedges (2)The foliage gets killed most winters, but firespike is reliably root hardy throughout Florida and most of the Deep South. Internet discussion groups indicate that gardeners grow it in Shreveport, LA, and Mississippi gardeners report that it is hardy throughout the state. When freezing weather arrives, firespike will turn black and the limbs will die—unless you take cuttings before the frost sends it to the ground. After freezing weather, cut the blackened stems back to the ground. To protect the roots during the winter, scatter a bit of mulch over the crown. Recovery will be rapid the following spring.

(1)http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Odontonema%20cuspidatum.pdf (2)http://mariesgarden.com/fom/October/Odontonema.htm [Accessed 25 Oct 2008]

8.05

unknown


Need more info? Have questions? Comments? Information to contribute? Contact PIER!


[ Return to PIER homepage ] [Risk assessment page]


This page created 13 December 2008