Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -4


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment
  Polyalthia longifolia var pendula (debdar, mast tree, Indian fir, cemetery tree) 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) n 0
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 y  
3.01 Naturalized beyond native range         y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05 n -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) n 0
3.05 Congeneric weed                                                          y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2) n 0
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 n 0
4.06 Host for recognized pests and pathogens n 0
4.07 Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans n 0
4.08 Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems n 0
4.09 Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle n 0
4.1 Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)    
4.11 Climbing or smothering growth habit n 0
4.12 Forms dense thickets n 0
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 n 0
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 n -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) y 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 n -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    
8.04 Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire    
8.05 Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)    
  Total score:   -4

Supporting data:

Notes

Reference

1.01

No evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)"Though it is said to be indigenous to southern India and Sri Lanka, it is cultivated all over India as an avenue tree, in gardens and near temples." (2)Origin - Ceylon and Tanjore.

(1)Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005. (2)Worthington, T. B. 1959. Ceylon Trees. The Colombo Apothecaries Co. Ltd. Colombo.

2.02

Introduced to (1)Florida (2)Hawaii.

(1)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2567/index.html (2)Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii.

2.03

(1)"Hardiness:
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)" (2)Altitude range: 0 - 200 m

(1)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2567/index.html (2)Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005.

2.04

"Though it is said to be indigenous to southern India and Sri Lanka, it is cultivated all over India as an avenue tree, in gardens and near temples."

Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005.

2.05

Introduced to (1)Florida (2)Hawaii (3)Widely planted in India even in northern part of India as an avenue tree.

(1)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2567/index.html (2)Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. (3)Worthington, T. B. 1959. Ceylon Trees. The Colombo Apothecaries Co. Ltd. Colombo. Pg 81

3.01

No evidence

Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005.

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence of such structures.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know

4.05

No evidence

4.06

"Corticium salmonicolor (damping off) fungus pink disease, reported in India
Diorchidium polyalthiae fungus
Diplodia polyalthicola fungus a pathogen of P. longifolia ornamental trees in India
Gibberella intricans fungus leaf spot: noted on P. longifol

Reproduced from the Forestry Compendium. © CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005.

4.07

No evidence

4.08

Probably not - an evergreen tree, not known to be a dry habitat species, not known to be grown in groups or occur in thickets.

 

4.09

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2567/index.html

4.1

No evidence regarding soil requirements.

4.11

Not a climber.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

A tree over 40 ft tall.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2567/index.html

5.02

5.03

5.04

6.01

No evidence

Worthington, T. B. 1959. Ceylon Trees. The Colombo Apothecaries Co. Ltd. Colombo. Pg 81

6.02

"Gardening: Propagated by seed. The seeds should be planted soon after ripening of the fruit as they do not keep well."

Worthington, T. B. 1959. Ceylon Trees. The Colombo Apothecaries Co. Ltd. Colombo. Pg 81

6.03

Don’t know. [Hybridization has been researched in other members of the genus Polyalthia but did not find any reference of hybridization in P. longifolia]. "Abstract: Aspects of floral ontogeny, breeding systems, and hybridization potential for selected m

Rogstad, Steven H.
The biosystematics and evolution of the Polyalthia hypoleuca species complex (Annonaceae) of Malesia. III. Floral ontogeny and breeding systems
American Journal of Botany 81 (2) : 145-154 1994

6.04

6.05

Given morphology of the flowers - does not appear to require specialist pollinators.

See photo in (1)McCann, C. 1959. 100 beautiful trees of India. D. B. Taraporewala and Sons Co.Private Ltd. Pg 81 (2)Plates 1199, 1200 in Bose et al. 1998. Trees of the World. Vol 1. Regional Plant Resource Center. Bhubaneshwar. Orissa, India. Pg 370.

6.06

No evidence of spread by vegetative means.

6.07

The tree is slow growing. [Probably takes over 4 years to reach maturity as it is reported to be slow growing].

McCann, C. 1959. 100 beautiful trees of India. D. B. Taraporewala and Sons Co.Private Ltd. Pg 81

7.01

A very popular avenue tree and widely planted as such in India. [grown in heavily trafficked areas]

Bose et al. 1998. Trees of the World. Vol 1. Regional Plant Resource Center. Bhubaneshwar. Orissa, India. Pg 370.

7.02

"Beautiful lofty evergreen found in India used as a ornamental street tree. " [Seeds available online for purchase]

http://www.banana-tree.com/Product_Detail~category~14~Product_ID~19013.cfm

7.03

Probably not - no evidence that the species occurs or is grown in or around seed crop fields.

 

7.04

No evidence of adaptation to wind dispersal.

7.05

No evidence.

7.06

"Birds and other animals are foud of these fruits and seeds scattered uder the tree, if left undistuebed oftern germinate in large number." [Fruit are ovoid berries, yellowish to almost black when ripe, 2 cm long; each containing single seed.- very likely

Bose et al. 1998. Trees of the World. Vol 1. Regional Plant Resource Center. Bhubaneshwar. Orissa, India. Pg 370.

7.07

No evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.08

"When the fruit is ripe the tree is visited by a large numbers of bats which feed on them. Next morning the ground is scattered with the seeds - remains of the banquet!"

McCann, C. 1959. 100 beautiful trees of India. D. B. Taraporewala and Sons Co.Private Ltd. Pg 81

8.01

(1)The seeds are the size if a jellybean. (2)Fruit egg shaped about 3/4 inch long, rounded at both ends, smooth turning almost black when ripe, several arranged at the end of a common stalk." [The seeds seem to be probably large - given a single seed in

(1)http://www.banana-tree.com/Product_Detail~category~14~Product_ID~19013.cfm (2)McCann, C. 1959. 100 beautiful trees of India. D. B. Taraporewala and Sons Co.Private Ltd. Pg 81

8.02

[Probably not] - "Gardening: Propagated by seed. The seeds should be planted soon after ripening of the fruit as they do not keep well."

Worthington, T. B. 1959. Ceylon Trees. The Colombo Apothecaries Co. Ltd. Colombo.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

Don’t know.

8.05

Don’t know.


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This page created 24 December 2006