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

Pongamia pinnata (Millettia pinnata; Derris indica; Pongamia glabra; Indian beech, pongam oil tree)

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

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

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

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

y

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

y

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

5

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

y

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

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

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

6

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

It probably originated from India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand and is naturalized from Pakistan and Sri Lanka throughout south-east Asia China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia to north-eastern Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Mauritius and Fiji.

http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781

1.03

No evidence

2.01

It is native to humid and sub-tropic environments and is common along waterways or seashores, with its roots in fresh or saltwater. It occurs naturally in lowland forest on limestone and rocky coral outcrops on the coast, along the edges of mangrove forest and along tidal streams and rivers.

2.02

2.03

(1)It grows along river-banks and close to the sea in tidal estuaries in Bangladesh, tolerating a wide range of climates and soils. Approximate limits north to south: 30°N to 20°S. Altitude range: 0 - 1200 m (2)This species grows to elevations of 1200 m, but in the Himalayan foothills is not found above 600 m (GOI 1983). The natural distribution of pongam is along coasts and river banks in India and Burma. Native to the Asian subcontinent, this species has been introduced to humid tropical lowlands in the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, the Seychelles, the United States (Little undated), and Indonesia. [this is a LOWLAND species, although some planted specimen may occur above 1000 m] (3)USDA zones 10B through 11

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/FACTSH/P_pinnata.html (3)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PONPINA.pdf

2.04

It is indigenous to India, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia.

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

2.05

(1)introduced to several countries. It has also been successfully introduced in many African countries, Australia and New Zealand. (2)It is planted in the humid tropical lowlands around the world, and has been introduced in Egypt and the United States (Florida and Hawaii).

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781

3.01

It probably originated from India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand and is naturalized from Pakistan and Sri Lanka throughout south-east Asia China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia to north-eastern Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Mauritius and Fiji.

http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781

3.02

No evidence

3.03

(1)Spontaneous seedlings and root suckers are produced and may cause serious weed problems. [reference relates to agroforestry, so it is considered a weed of forestry] (2)Listed as moderately invasive species. [Did not find it listed as a weed].

(1)http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781 (2)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/invasive/di2.htm

3.04

(1)little, if any, potential at this time (2)Controlled Landscape plant -- should not be planted within 500 feet of native habita in Miami-Dade county. [not on FLEPPC list of invasive wildland plants]

(1)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PONPINA.pdf (2)http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/urbanhort/publications/Miami-Dade-County-Invasive-Plants.pdf

3.05

No evidence

4.01

no thorns

http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

(1)listed as a fodder tree (2)oliage is browsed by livestock

(1)http://www.agroforester.com/overstory/overstory91.html (2)http://cpreec.org/edu/treele3.htm

4.05

listed as a fodder tree

http://www.agroforester.com/overstory/overstory91.html

4.06

(1)Pests recorded
Insect pests:
Ascotis selenaria imparata
Coccus
Cyclopelta siccifolia
Lithocolletis virgulata
Fungus diseases:
Aspergillus fumigatus [A web search did not show any of the above to be recognized, specific pests.]
(2)This website lists 23 species of fungi to be associated with P. pinnata. (3)Some of the important pests are Parnara mathias, Gracillaria sp., Indarbela quadrinotata, Myllocerus curvicornis, and Acrocercops sp

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm (3)http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/FACTSH/P_pinnata.html

4.07

No evidence

4.08

possible if dried -- multi-branched trunk with closely spaced stems

4.09

(1)It is a shade bearer and can grow under the shade of other trees, it is, however, not a shade demander and grows well even with full overhead light.
(2)grown in full sun or partial shade

(1)http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781 (2)full sun

4.1

(1)It grows along river-banks and close to the sea in tidal estuaries in Bangladesh, tolerating a wide range of climates and soils. (2)Soil tolerance, sand, clay and loam. pH tolerance acidic to slightly alkaline.

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)

4.11

No evidence - not a vine.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

5.02

5.03

(1)P. pinnata is a leguminous, nearly evergreen medium-size tree, with short bole and spreading crown. (2)Pongamia pinnata is one of the few nitrogen fixing trees (NFTS) to produce seeds containing 30-40% oil.

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/FACTSH/P_pinnata.html

5.04

6.01

(1)In India, seed ripens from February to May. (2)Natural reproduction is profuse by seed and common by root suckers

(1)http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781 (2)http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/FACTSH/P_pinnata.html

6.02

Natural reproduction is profuse by seed and common by root suckers

http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/FACTSH/P_pinnata.html

6.03

No information

6.04

No information

6.05

Apis mellifera and of Megachile cephalotes foraging on the flowers

Abrol, D. P.; Kapil, R. P. 1987. Nectar dilution pattern of bees in semi-arid environments. Current Science 13: 681

6.06

(1)Ability to sucker. (2)Spontaneous seedlings and root suckers are produced and may cause serious weed problems (3)Natural reproduction is profuse by seed and common by root suckers

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781 (3)http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/FACTSH/P_pinnata.html

6.07

Pod production starts 5-7 years after sowing.

http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781

7.01

Propagules do not have any means of attachment.

http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781

7.02

Probably yes - It has ornamental value it is often planted as a roadside and shade tree, having handsome scented flowers, and is easily raised from seed and cuttings.

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

7.03

Seeds relatively large - 1.5-2.5 x 1.2-2 x 0.8 cm

http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781

7.04

Pods do not open naturally, and must decay before seeds can germinate. [Seeds do not have any adaptation for wind dispersal].

http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781

7.05

(1)the pod features represent the syndromes associated with water dispersal [possible, since it commonly grows along riverbanks and seaside]

(1)Arathi , H. S. , K. N. Ganeshaiah , R. Uma Shaanker and S. G. Hegde 1999Seed abortion in Pongamia pinnata (Fabaceae) American Journal of Botany.86: 659-662

7.06

does not attract wildlife

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PONPINA.pdf

7.07

does not attract wildlife

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PONPINA.pdf

7.08

8.01

Seed compressed ovoid or elliptical, bean-like, 1.5-2.5 x 1.2-2 x 0.8 cm, with a brittle coat long, flattened, dark brown, oily. There are 1500-1700 seeds/kg. (2) posd are generallysingle-seeded

(1)http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=1781 (2) Arathi , H. S. , K. N. Ganeshaiah , R. Uma Shaanker and S. G. Hegde 1999Seed abortion in Pongamia pinnata (Fabaceae)American Journal of Botany.86: 659-662

8.02

(1)Seeds, which require no treatment before sowing, remain viable for about a year when stored in air-tight containers. [lab conditions]
(2)Seeds, remaining viable for sometime, require no special scarification. [time and conditions not given]

(1)http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/FACTSH/P_pinnata.html (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pongamia_pinnata.html#Uses

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

No information [probably resprouts/coppices but no direct evidence]

8.05

Don’t know.