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

Phoenix roebelenii; pygmy date palm

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

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

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

y

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

y

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

y

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

n

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

4

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

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

Total score:

-5

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

no evidence

1.03

no evidence

2.01

(1)USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?28056 (02 October 2002) (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/phoe_roe.cfm

(1) Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China - Yunnan
Asia-Tropical: Laos [n.]; Vietnam [n.w.]
Other: widely cultivated
(2)native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, in particular Thailand and Burma

2.02

2.03

http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/phoe_roe.cfm

USDA Zones 9-11

2.04

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?28056 (02 October 2002)

Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China - Yunnan
Asia-Tropical: Laos [n.]; Vietnam [n.w.]
Other: widely cultivated

2.05

(1)USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?28056 (02 October 2002) (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/phoe_roe.cfm

(1)widely cultivated (2)This popular little palm is now grown around the world

3.01

no evidence

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

no evidence

3.05

no evidence

4.01

Meerow, A.W. (1992) Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Etrock information Systems, Inc.; Cooper City, Florida.153pp. p.70.

p.70. Lower leaves spine-like

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

no evidence

4.06

http://www.agnr.umd.edu/ipmnet/5-8art4.htm

Scale insects Found on older leaves - Spider mites - Palm weevils on P. reclinata cause bud injury

4.07

no evidence

4.08

unlikely (single trunked palm)

4.09

(1)Meerow, A.W. (1992) Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Etrock information Systems, Inc.; Cooper City, Florida.153pp. p.70. (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST441 (3)http://ohld.ag.utk.edu/ohld230/Phoenix/phoenix.htm

(1) "It doesn't hold very well in dimly light interiors." (2)Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade (3)Minimum Light Levels 300 f.c.

4.1

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p122. (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST441(3)http://www.farm-life.com/Roebelenii/pygmy.htm

(1)"Culture: fertile, well-drained soil." (2)Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; slightly alkaline; well-drained; Magnesium or potassium deficiency symptoms (chlorotic and spotted older fronds) often develop on the older leaves when grown in soils with a pH above 7.(3)Magnesium deficiency is almost always seen on Phoenix roebeleniis

4.11

Meerow, A.W. (1992) Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Etrock information Systems, Inc.; Cooper City, Florida.153pp. p.70.

solitary palm

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

Arecaceae; palm

5.03

no evidence

5.04

palm

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Meerow, A.W. (1992) Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Etrock information Systems, Inc.; Cooper City, Florida.153pp. p.70.

"Propagation: seeds germinatein 2-3 months."

6.03

(1)http://www.growit.com/plants/growers/CN/1806.htm (2)http://www.epalmtrees.com/pbank.html

(1)Phoenix hybrid (P. reclinata x P. roebelenii) [for sale] (2)Phoenix/Hybrid-Canariensis x Roebelenii [probably will hybridize naturally where co-occuring given same flowers and pollinators]

6.04

Meerow, A.W. (1992) Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Etrock information Systems, Inc.; Cooper City, Florida.153pp. p.70.

"separate male and female tree"

6.05

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST441

flowers white/cream/gray [typical palm, attracts bees]

6.06

http://yaqatar.com/greentalk/DwarfDatePalm.html

solitary trunk palm

6.07

(1)http://www.aridsolutions.com/portfolio.ivnu (2)http://www.texasriviera.com/greenthumbs/Proebelenii2.html

(1)Slow growing [estimate minimum 4 years from seed] (2)Three year old plant is only about 2 ft tall!

7.01

no evidence

7.02

Meerow, A.W. (1992) Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Etrock information Systems, Inc.; Cooper City, Florida.153pp. p.70.

"pygmy dae palm is one of the most widely used date palm in the U.S."

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p122. (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST441

(1)"Fruit: Dark red when mature, ovoid, 0.5 inch long." (2)Fruit covering: fleshy, Fruit color: red, black

7.07

no evidence

7.08

bird dispersed

8.01

http://www.texasriviera.com/greenthumbs/Proebelenii2.html

unlikely/borderline (based on photos of inflorescences and seeds 0.5-1 inch diameter)

8.02

(1)Meerow, A.W. (1992) Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Etrock information Systems, Inc.; Cooper City, Florida.153pp. p.70. (2)http://www.plantapalm.com/centralfl/Database/phoenix_roebelenii.htm

(1)"Propagation: seeds germinatein 2-3 months." (2)Most seeds germinated within 3-4 months.

8.03

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WG061

Phoenix species have been known to be injured by Roundup applications contacting their root system

8.04

don't know [leaves sometimes harvested for foliage]

8.05

no evidence