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

Polyscias filicifolia (Aralia ming, fernleaf aralia)

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

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

1

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

y

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

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

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

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

y

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

n

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

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

0

Source

Notes

1.01

Given the history of cultivation and the unusual leaf form and colors, this could be a highly domesticated plant, although it is recognized as a natural species by TROPICOS (Polyscias filicifolia (C. Moore ex E. Fourn.) L.H. Bailey)

1.02

No evidence of naturalization.

1.03

No evidence

2.01

Native to Southeast Asia (and Pacific islands?)

www.rhapisgardens.com/ming-aralias/

2.02

precise origin unknown

2.03

Fussy about too much or too little water (Polyscias) [unlikely to have broad range]

http://www.westernturf.com/shrub.html

2.04

Native to Southeast Asia (and Pacific islands?)

www.rhapisgardens.com/ming-aralias/

2.05

(1)Polyscias are are actively cultivated. The genus is tropical, with some 80 species from the Pacific islands and Southeast Asia. In warm climates they are grown outdoors; magnificent cultivated specimens are found on Caribbean islands. (2)Cultivated in Florida

(1)www.rhapisgardens.com/ming-aralias/ (2)http://ifas.ufl.edu/%7Eapkweb/folnotes/aralia.htm

3.01

No evidence of naturalization.

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

Polyscias sambucifolia, native to Australia, may be considered a weed in Tasmania (rated H, significant weed)

Randall, R. 2001. Garden thugs, a national list of invasive and potentially invasive garden plants. Plant Protection Quarterly 16:138-171.

4.01

Fern-like foliage, no thorns

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

No information

4.05

Not poisonous

http://agrolink.moa.my/doa/english/garden/ag_polys.html

4.06

(1)Fusarium semitectum was found to be associated with P. filicifolia. But a web search did not find this species to be a recognized pest. (2)Other common problems:Xanthomonas leaf spot, Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), Mealybugs

(1)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm (2)http://ifas.ufl.edu/%7Eapkweb/folnotes/aralia.htm

4.07

Not poisonous

http://agrolink.moa.my/doa/english/garden/ag_polys.html

4.08

Fine foliage is possibly flamable, but unlikely due to mesic habitats

4.09

Grows best in partial to dark shade or an indirect light.

http://westendnursery.com/plants/araliaming.shtml

4.1

A soil rich in peat is preferred, although other soils are acceptable

http://westendnursery.com/plants/araliaming.shtml

4.11

No evidence - not a vine.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Shrub in Araliaceae.

http://agrolink.moa.my/doa/english/garden/ag_polys.html

5.02

Shrub in Araliaceae.

5.03

Shrub in Araliaceae.

5.04

Shrub in Araliaceae.

6.01

No evidence

6.02

[no evidence of viable seeds, it is a domesticated, sterile plant?] (1)These plants can be increased by stem cuttings, root cuttings, suckers, and air layering (2)The best method is to use root cuttings or air-layering. Seeds may be planted in autumn, but germination is uncertain (3)The Ming Aralia can be propagated using stem cuttings, root cuttings, suckers, and air layering.

(1)http://www.botany.com/polyscias.html (2)http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/aralia.html (3)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Araliaceae/Polyscias_fruticosa.html

6.03

'Polyscias originate from the region between Solomon Islands and Samoa and have been cultivated so extensively that like the garden crotons there are many varieties possibly hybrids and their classification has become most intricate.'

Corner, E. J. H. 1988. Wayside trees of Malaysia . Vol 1. The Malayan natural society. Kaula Lumpur.

6.04

No information regarding reproduction.

6.05

unlikely, open flowers with visible nectar (Polyscias)

6.06

it is a small vertical shrub , with very little lateral spread, and no natural opportuniy for fragmentation

6.07

R. Criley, UH Department of Horticulture, personal communication

7.01

Fruit a drupe

7.02

Probably yes because: (1)Ideal for parks and gardens (2)Used for Bonsai

(1)http://agrolink.moa.my/doa/english/garden/ag_polys.html (2)http://ohld.ag.utk.edu/ohld230/Polyscias/polyscias.htm

7.03

Fruit a drupe(Polyscias)

7.04

Fruit a drupe(Polyscias)

7.05

Fruit a drupe(Polyscias)

7.06

Fruit a drupe(Polyscias)

7.07

No means of attachment

7.08

bird-dispersed.

8.01

Fruit a few-seeded drupe (Polyscias)

8.02

No information.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

It is greatly improved by trimming and training: the tips are trimmed in order to encourage more rapid branching and thicken the trunk.

http://westendnursery.com/plants/araliaming.shtml

8.05

Don’t know.