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

Pittosporum undulatum (Australian cheesewood)

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

y

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

y

3.02

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

n=0

y

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

y

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

y

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

y

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

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

8.02

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

y=1, n=-1

y

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

n

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

7

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

(1) Ramos, J. A. (1996) Introduction of exotic tree species as a threat to the Azores bullfinch population. Journal of Applied Ecology, 1996, Vol.33, No.4, pp.710-722
(2) Goodland, T. and J.R. Healey (1997) The control of the Australian tree Pittosporum undulatum in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, LL57 2UW, U.K. Contact email afs097@bangor.ac.uk (http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~afs101/iwpt/welcome.shtml)
(3) Manders, P. T.; Richardson, D. M. (1992) Colonization of Cape fynbos communities by forest species. Forest Ecology and Management, 1992, Vol.48, No.3-4, pp.277-293, 26 ref.

naturalized in (1) Azores (2) Jamaica (3) South Africa

1.03

no evidence

2.01

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

native range [Australia] New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

2.02

2.03

(1) Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd.(2) Plant Master 5.5. California Edition.1999. Acacia Software, Westlake Village, California.

(1)USDA Hardiness Zone 9A-11(2) USDA Zones 9-10; New USDA Temp Zones 9b-11a

2.04

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

native range [Australia] New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

2.05

(1) USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
(2) Ramos, J. A. (1996) Introduction of exotic tree species as a threat to the Azores bullfinch population. Journal of Applied Ecology, 1996, Vol.33, No.4, pp.710-722
(3) Goodland, T. and J.R. Healey (1997) The control of the Australian tree Pittosporum undulatum in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, LL57 2UW, U.K. Contact email afs097@bangor.ac.uk (http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~afs101/iwpt/welcome.shtml)
(4) Manders, P. T.; Richardson, D. M. (1992) Colonization of Cape fynbos communities by forest species. Forest Ecology and Management, 1992, Vol.48, No.3-4, pp.277-293, 26 ref.
(5) Lee, R. A.; Cure, J. R.; Pérez, M. M. (2000). Biodiversidad y abundancia relativa de insectos y ácaros en árboles utilizados como cercas vivas en la Sabana de Bogotá. ET: Biodiversity and relative abundance of insects and s

(1) California, Hawaii (2) Azores (3) Jamaica (4) South Africa (5) Colombia

3.01

naturalized in (1) Azores (2) Jamaica (3) South Africa

3.02

Rose, S. 1997. Influence of suburban edges on invasion of Pittosporum undulatum into the bushland of northern Sydney, Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 22:89-99.

weedy in urban habitats within its native range

3.03

no evidence

3.04

Rose-Stefan (1998) Integrating management of Pittosporum undulatum with other environmental weeds in Sydney's urban bushland. Pacific-Conservation-Biology. Jan., 1998; 3 (4) 350-365 (abstract)

"A few locally native species, Pittosporum undulatum in particular, have emerged as environmental weeds."

3.05

Rose-Stefan (1998). Integrating management of Pittosporum undulatum with other environmental weeds in Sydney's urban bushland. Pacific-Conservation-Biology. Jan., 1998; 3 (4) 350-365 (abstract)

"A few locally native species, Pittosporum undulatum in particular, have emerged as environmental weeds."

4.01

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.819

4.02

Tunbridge-Amanda; Simmons-Dianne; Adams-Robyn (2000) Allelopathic effects of sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum Vent. on the germination of selected native plant species.Victorian-Naturalist-Blackburn. [print] April, 2000; 117 (2): 44-50

The successful invasion of Pittosporum undulatum, and displacement of native understorey plant species has been partially attributed to allelopathic effects. This study examined the effects of Pittosporum leaf-extract on the germination of Acacia spp., Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana, Leptospermum continentale, Kunzea ericoides, Poa morrisii, Triticum sp., Ozothamnus ferrugineus, and Pittosporum undulatum. No germination was recorded for the latter two species for either treated or untreated seeds. Only Poa morrisii showed suppression of germination, while treatment with leaf-extract increased germination in Eucalyptus. The allelopathic effects recorded for the other species examined are insufficient to explain the decline in native species cover and diversity under Pittosporum canopies. The most likely explanation for the successful invasion of Pittosporum is the species' competitive ability rather than any allelopathic effect.

4.03

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.819

4.04

Oliveira-M-Alexandra-S-P; Borba-Alfredo-E-S (1999) Estudo do valor nutritivo do incenso (Pittosporum undulatum Vent) e da sua influencia sobre a fermentacao no rumen.
Study of the nutritional value of Pittosporum undulatum Vent and its effect on digestion in the rumen.
Revista-de-Ciencias-Agrarias. [print] Out.-Dez., 1999; 22 (4): 28-36

"Pittosporum undulatum Vent., 1800 is a traditional shrubby livestock forage material of the Azores that is used on certain islands during periods of low grazing land productivity, such as November, December, and January." "So it is possible to say that Pittosporum undulatum is a poor forage material that nevertheless can serve as a bulk-providing complement for feeding bovine cattle, as is traditionally done in the Azores during the periods of scarcity of forage material."

4.05

no evidence

4.06

abstract "P. nicotianae and P. palmivora were found to be the causal agents of a root and collar rot of Pittosporum ralphii, P. tenuifolium, P. tobira and P. undulatum in nurseries of ornamental plants in Liguria and Sicily, Italy. The Phytophthora spp. were identified on the basis of their morphological and cultural characteristics and the electrophoretic pattern in polyacrylamide gel of total mycelial proteins. In pathogenicity tests, both species were pathogenic to plants of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum ), tomato, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ) and pittosporum. The symptoms on pittosporum were the same as those observed on naturally-infected plants in the nurseries. "

4.07

no evidence

4.08

(1) Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd. (2) Gleadow, R. M.; Ashton, D. H. (1981). Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the forests of central Victoria. I. Invasion patterns and plant morphology. Australian Journal of Botany, 1981, Vol.29, No.6, pp.705-720, 26 ref

(1) low flammability (2) Controlled burning removed 80% of the P. undulatum present in one stand and prevented reinvasion.

4.09

Gleadow, R. M. (1982). Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the forests of central Victoria. III. Effcets of Temperature and light on Growth and Drought Resistance. Australian Journal of Botany, 1982, Vol.30, No.2, pp.347-357. (abstract)

"P. undulatum seedlings were very drought-tolerant when grown at moderately low temperatures and in deep shade"

4.1

(1) Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd. (2) Plant Master 5.5. California Edition.1999. Acacia Software, Westlake Village, California.

(1) Sandy, loamy, well drained; acidic-alkaline (2) sandy, clay, loam, rocky, unparticular; neutral-basic; tolerant alkaline

4.11

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.819

tree

4.12

Gleadow, R. M.; Ashton, D. H. (1981). Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the forests of central Victoria. I. Invasion patterns and plant morphology. Australian Journal of Botany, 1981, Vol.29, No.6, pp.705-720, 26 ref.

P. undulatum associates with Eucalyptus forest and other understory shrubs; no evidence of monoculture.

5.01

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.819

tree

5.02

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.819

tree

5.03

no evidence

5.04

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.819

6.01

Rose-Stefan (1998) Integrating management of Pittosporum undulatum with other environmental weeds in Sydney's urban bushland. Pacific-Conservation-Biology. Jan., 1998; 3 (4) 350-365 (abstract)

"A few locally native species, Pittosporum undulatum in particular, have emerged as environmental weeds."

6.02

Gleadow, R. M. (1982). Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the forests of central Victoria. II. Dispersal, germination and establishment. Australian Journal of Botany, 1982, Vol.30, No.2, pp.185-198, 32 ref.

abstract "Germination and seedling growth were studied in the greenhouse.Seedlings transplanted into the field survived better under canopies of P. undulatum than under eucalypts."

6.03

6.04

Tanner, E. V. J. (1982). Species diversity and reproductive mechanisms in Jamaican trees. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 1982, Vol.18, No.3, pp.263-278

6.05

Tanner, E. V. J. (1982). Species diversity and reproductive mechanisms in Jamaican trees. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 1982, Vol.18, No.3, pp.263-278

"Little is known about the insect pollinators in this habitat, except that honeybees are known to visit the tree species Clusia havetioides, Cyrilla racemiflora, Eugenia virgultosa, Schefflera sciadophyllum, Vaccinium meridionale and Pittosporum undulatum"

6.06

no evidence

6.07

Dr R. Criley, Dept. of Horticulture, University of Hawaii Manoa

7.01

no evidence

7.02

Gleadow, R. M. (1981). Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the forests of central Victoria. I. Invasion Patterns and Plant Morphology. Australian Journal of Botany, 1981, Vol.29, No.2, pp.705-720. (P.705)

"P. undulatum has been prized for its perfumed crean flowers, orange berries and fast-growing leafy canopies"

7.03

no evidence

7.04

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.819

fruit: woody capsule 10-15mm

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Gleadow, R. M. (1982). Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the forests of central Victoria. II. Dispersal, germination and establishment. Australian Journal of Botany, 1982, Vol.30, No.2, pp.185-198

"Results suggest that the main agent of dispersal is the European blackbird (Turdus merula ) "

7.07

no evidence

7.08

Gleadow, R. M. (1982). Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the forests of central Victoria. II. Dispersal, germination and establishment. Australian Journal of Botany, 1982, Vol.30, No.2, pp.185-198, 32 ref. P.191

"The germination of P. undulatumseed was unaffected afetr passing through the digestive tract of a silvereye or blackbird"

8.01

about 25 seed per fruit. Fruit density unknown

8.02

Gleadow, R. M. (1982). Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the forests of central Victoria. II. Dispersal, germination and establishment. Australian Journal of Botany, 1982, Vol.30, No.2, pp.185-198, 32 ref. P.197

"After 16 months' storage, at moderate humidities and two temperature, 80% of the seed was still viable. This suggests that seed falling in spring in the field could germinate the followijg year, given suitable conditions."

8.03

Goodland, T. and J.R. Healey (1997) The control of the Australian tree Pittosporum undulatum in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, LL57 2UW, U.K. Contact email afs097@bangor.ac.uk (http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~afs101/iwpt/welcome.shtml)

Clearly Tordon can kill P. undulatum. Since starting the project we have found out that Tordon was used to kill P. undulatum in Hawaii (Tunison 1992) and, more interestingly, that two other herbicides have been effective.
 A mixture of 2,4,5-T and diesel applied to stumps cut just above ground level was very effective at Jonkershoek in South Africa (Richardson & Brink 1985).
 Concentrated Roundup (glyphosate 360 g l-1) has been effective when applied to cut stumps in Australia (I.K. Stephenson, quoted in Narayan (1993)).
 In the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia, P. undulatum is killed by drilling stems and filling with undiluted glyphosate using a Velpar gun. The holes should be 8-15 mm diameter, about 50 mm deep, 4-6 cms apart and 20-50 cm above ground level and below the lowest living branch. It is essential that holes are placed vertically below any main branches, otherwise they may not be killed (Gillespie 1991). Given that holes drilled 4-6 cm apart in Australia were presumably wholly e

8.04

Gleadow, R. M.; Ashton, D. H. (1981). Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the forests of central Victoria. I. Invasion patterns and plant morphology. Australian Journal of Botany, 1981, Vol.29, No.6, pp.705-720, 26 ref

"Controlled burning removed 80% of the P. undulatum present in one stand and prevented reinvasion. "

8.05