Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Plumeria obtusa


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -6


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.

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

Plumeria obtusa; Singapore Plumeria, evergreen frangipani, white frangipani

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

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

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

y

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

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

y

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

3

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

y

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

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

n

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

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:

-6

Supporting data:

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

no evidence

1.03

no evidence

2.01

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/tax_search.pl?Plumeria+obtusa (03 October 2002)

Distributional range:
Native: Southern America: Belize; Cuba; Guatemala; Mexico - Yucatan; Puerto Rico

2.02

2.03

(1)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Apocynaceae/Plumeria_obtusa.html (2)http://www.jamesphoto.com/botany/plumeria_obtusa.htm (3)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-24.pdf

(1)USDA zones: 10-11 (2)requires a sheltered position and a fairly constant water supply (3)sea level to 2000 ft elevation.

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/tax_search.pl?Plumeria+obtusa (03 October 2002)

Distributional range:
Native: Southern America: Belize; Cuba; Guatemala; Mexico - Yucatan; Puerto Rico

2.05

(1) Ratnasabapathy, M.; Mossel, J. (1980) Some observations on seeds and seedlings of frangipani (Plumeria L., Apocynaceae). Planter, Malaysia, 1980, Vol.56, No.650, pp.183-188, 6 ref.
(2) Salimuzzaman Siddiqui; Siddiqui, B. S.; Akhtar Naeed; Sabira Begum (1990) Three pentacyclic triterpenoids from the leaves of Plumeria obtusa. Journal of Natural Products, 1990, Vol.53, No.5, pp.1332-1336, 16 ref.
(3) Ogata, D. Y.; Gardner, D. E. (1992) First report of Plumeria rust, caused by Coleosporium plumeriae, in Hawaii. Plant Disease, 1992, Vol.76, No.6, p.642, 1 ref.

(1) Malaysia, (2) Pakistan, (3) Hawaii

3.01

no evidence

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

no evidence

3.05

no evidence

4.01

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.369

no description of these traits

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

no evidence of animal poisonings

4.06

Ogata, D. Y.; Gardner, D. E. (1992) First report of Plumeria rust, caused by Coleosporium plumeriae, in Hawaii. Plant Disease, 1992, Vol.76, No.6, p.642, 1 ref.

AB: In Jan. 1991, C. plumeriae [C. domingense ] was identified on P. obtusa and several forms of P. rubra on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, USA, and has since been identified on the island of Kauai. P. obtusa shows tolerance to C. domingense in Hawaii, with only isolated pustules on leaves, whereas cultivars of P. rubra are severely attacked.

4.07

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.369

" The white latex is irritating to the skin of some people and can cause upset stomach if injested."

4.08

no evidence

4.09

(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Apocynaceae/Plumeria_obtusa.html (3)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-24.pdf (4)http://www.io.com/~jrm/plum002.html

(1)Exposure: Partial shade or partial sun to full sun (2)Full sun to light shade (3)requires full sun (4)plumeria require full sun to bloom

4.1

(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/plumeria.htm

(1)Soil Condition: Loamy, sandy, clay, acidic, neutral, alkaline, drought tolerant (2)They grow poorly in slow-draining soils such as clay, and do not tolerate standing water

4.11

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.369

small tree

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

tree. Apocynaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

tree

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Ratnasabapathy, M.; Mossel, J. (1980) Some observations on seeds and seedlings of frangipani (Plumeria L., Apocynaceae). Planter, Malaysia, 1980, Vol.56, No.650, pp.183-188, 6 ref.

AB: Recent research on the seed germination of P. rubra and P. obtusa is briefly summarized.

6.03

http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/facts/2000/hawaii_36.html

From the yellow and a red form of Plumeria rubra, and the white Plumeria obtusa - hundreds of hybrids were developed. [don't know if occurs naturally]

6.04

no evidence

6.05

Haber, W. A. (1984) Pollination by deceit in a mass-flowering tropical tree Plumeria rubra L. (Apocynaceae). Biotropica, 1984, Vol.16, No.4, pp.269-275, 39 ref.

AB: Flowers of P. rubra share many traits with hawkmoth-pollinated flowers, though nectaries are lacking. The pollen was recovered from the tongues of 17 of 50 hawkmoths collected during the main flowering period (April-June) in Costa Rica. Rates of visitation and fruit set were very low compared with other hawkmoth flowers of the deciduous forest. Hawkmoths in a flight cage avoided nectarless P. rubra flowers, but fed readily from these flowers when artificial nectar was added. Although no specific model for P. rubra was found in Costa Rica, the presentation of generilized scent and visual cues that mimic typical hawkmoth flowers may facilitate deceitful pollination of this species. [hawkmoth is quite specialized] [probably yes, P. obtusa have similar flower traits,( white flower, corolla tube, with strong fragrance) ]

6.06

no evidence

6.07

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-24.pdf

Seedlings take three years or more to produce flowers.

7.01

no evidence

7.02

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.369

"widely cultivated"

7.03

no evidence

7.04

http://www.theplumeriasociety.org/pcb/pcb_5-2.html

"Each seed will appear similar to a maple tree seed with a papery wing at one end and at the other, a plump swelling containing the plant embryo."

7.05

no evidence

7.06

no evidence

7.07

no evidence

7.08

no evidence of consumption

8.01

(1) Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.370; (2) http://www.theplumeriasociety.org/pcb/pcb_5-2.html (3)http://www.unibas.ch/bothebel/News/Frangipani.htm (4)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-24.pdf

(1) "fruit a pair of cylindrical pod to 20 cm long." (2) "A single seed pod may contain over 100 seeds on some cultivars while on others 25-30 seeds may be common." (3)trees rarely fruit in cultivation (4)20–60 winged seeds.Plumerias only occasionally produce seed. [probably not, with large fruits, need at least 10 pods per square meter to reach 1000 seeds which is unlikely]

8.02

(1)http://www.theplumeriasociety.org/pcb/pcb_5-2.html (2)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-24.pdf

(1)"Seeds generally sprout in 3 to 14 days. " (2)Dry seeds will keep for about three months in a plastic bag before beginning to lose viability.

8.03

no evidence that herbicides are used to control

8.04

no evidence

8.05

Ogata, D. Y.; Gardner, D. E. (1992) First report of Plumeria rust, caused by Coleosporium plumeriae, in Hawaii. Plant Disease, 1992, Vol.76, No.6, p.642, 1 ref.

AB: In Jan. 1991, C. plumeriae [C. domingense ] was identified on P. obtusa and several forms of P. rubra on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, USA, and has since been identified on the island of Kauai. P. obtusa shows tolerance to C. domingense in Hawaii, with only isolated pustules on leaves, whereas cultivars of P. rubra are severely attacked. [not known to kill the tree]


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This page updated 3 November 2005