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

Punica granatum; pomegranate

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

y

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

1

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

y

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

n

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

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

y

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

y

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

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

y

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

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

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

y

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

y

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

Source

Notes

1.01

(1)CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.tau.ac.il/lifesci/botany/judaism.htm

(1)There are numerous cultivars which have been selected for their medicinal, fruit and ornamental qualities. (2)domesticated in the "Fertile Crescent", presently the area stretching from Iraq, through Turkey-Syria-Lebanon, Israel to Egypt. these crops have thus been cultivated since ancient times. e.g. A group of three pomegranates (Punica granatum Linnaeus), in the mosaic floor of the ancient synagogue of Heftsibah-Bet Alfa, dated from the 6th century BC.

1.02

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

It has naturalized in the Mediterranean region.

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.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?pomegranate (11 December 2003)

(1) Distributional range: [MEDITERRANEAN]
Native:
ASIA-TEMPERATE
Soviet Middle Asia: Tajikistan; Turkmenistan
Western Asia: Afghanistan; Iran; Iraq; Turkey
Caucasus: Armenia; Azerbaijan; Georgia; Russian Federation - Dagestan
ASIA-TROPICAL
Indian Subcontinent: Pakistan
Other: cultivated & naturalized elsewhere
(2) Natural latitude range: Approximate limits north to south: 40N to 26N

2.02

2.03

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

Natural latitude range: Approximate limits north to south: 40N to 26N Hardiness Range 7B to 10A
Climate descriptor
- Altitude range: 500 - 2000 m
- Mean annual rainfall: 500 - 2500 mm
- Rainfall regime: summer; winter; bimodal; uniform
- Dry season duration: 2 - 6 months
- Mean annual temperature: 25 - 38C
- Mean maximum temperature of hottest month: 34 - 44C
- Mean minimum temperature of coldest month: 4 - 12C
- Absolute minimum temperature: > -10C

2.04

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database].
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?pomegranate (11 December 2003)

Distributional range: [MEDITERRANEAN]
Native:
ASIA-TEMPERATE
Soviet Middle Asia: Tajikistan; Turkmenistan
Western Asia: Afghanistan; Iran; Iraq; Turkey
Caucasus: Armenia; Azerbaijan; Georgia; Russian Federation - Dagestan
ASIA-TROPICAL
Indian Subcontinent: Pakistan
Other: cultivated & naturalized elsewhere
[NO EVIDENCE OF NATURALIZATION IN TROPICS OR SUBTROPICS]

2.05

USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

USA: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Utah, Virgin Islands

3.01

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

It has naturalized in the Mediterranean region.

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.389

"often spiny stems"

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Palatable Browse Animal: Low

4.05

no evidence

4.06

Kanmiya, K.; Sonobe, R. (2002) Records of two citrus pest whiteflies in Japan with special reference to their mating sounds (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Applied Entomology and Zoology, 2002, Vol.37, No.3, pp.487-495, 18 ref.

AB: A serious citrus pest, the ash whitefly, Siphoninus phillyreae , was first recorded in Honshu and Kyushu, Japan. The favoured host plant is pomegranate (Punica granatum ) from early summer to autumn. The adults migrate to a hedge plant (Photinia glabra ) or rarely to a citrus plant (Citrus natsudaidai ) before pomegranates shed their leaves in winter. Another citrus pest, the woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus , was found from Nansei Islands to north of Tokunoshima Island, Japan. The distribution of these two pests and diagnostic features were detailed. Substrate-borne vibratory sounds produced during mating were elucidated, including new findings of male and female communication by reciprocal sound signals. It is suggested that the species-specific bioacoustic signals preserve useful information for the whitefly biosystematics of economic importance.

4.07

no evidence

4.08

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/files/Fire/SafePlantFireRating.pdf

low flammability rating

4.09

(1) USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
(2) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (3)http://www.tropilab.com/pomegrate.html (4)http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pomegranate.html

(1) Shade Tolerance: Intermediate
(2) Exposure: Partial shade or partial sun to full sun (3)full sun / light shade (4)Pomegranates should be placed in the sunniest, warmest part of the yard or orchard for the best fruit, although they will grow and flower in part shade.

4.1

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

- Soil texture: light; medium; heavy
- Soil drainage: free
- Soil reaction: neutral; alkaline
- Special soil tolerances: shallow; infertile

4.11

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

a deciduous shrub or small, bushy tree

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

tree; Puniaceae

5.03

USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Nitrogen Fixation: None

5.04

tree

6.01

no evidence

6.02

CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/lppi/htm/sp310.htm

It can be propagated by cuttings, air-layering, seeds and seedlings. (2)Primary method of propagation: cutting
Alternate propagation method(s): seed

6.03

http://www.aaronscanna-amaryllis.com/pomegranate/index.shtml

no evidence 'New hybrids are now available to be grown in the U.S., and now growing pomegranates by home owners is possible in areas other than the deep south, where growing was previously restricted.' [No evidence that hybridization occurs naturally].

6.04

(1)Pollination and fruit set studies in pomegranate.
AU: Karale, A. R.; Supe, V. S.; Kaulgud, S. N.; Kale, P. N.
AA: Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri 413722, Maharashtra, India.
SO: Journal of Maharashtra Agricultural Universities, 1993, Vol.18, No.3, pp.364-366, 8 ref. (2)http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pomegranate.html

(1) "Fruit set was 79% and 43.3% for intact open and self-pollinated flowers or 26.4% and 66.2% for the same after emasculation. The pomegranate, which is normally thought of as a cross-pollinated crop, is capable of both open and self-pollination. " (2) The pomegranate is self-pollinated as well as cross-pollinated by insects.

6.05

(1)http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/book/chap5/pom.html (2)http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pomegranate.html

(1) 'Pollination Requirements: Little is known about the pollination of pomegranates. Knuth (1908*, p. 440) stated that beetles belonging to the genera Cetonia and Trichodes effect both cross- as well as self-pollination, while devouring the flowers. The ability of the plant to self-pollinate or its need for transfer of pollen either within its own flower, between flowers, or between plants is unknown. Kihara (1958) reported the discovery of a "seedless" pomegranate in which the pollen was sterile but the fruit developed. It had only half (307) of the normal number of developed embryos. These were not viable seeds; however, the size of the fruit was normal.
Pollinators: Where no nectar is produced, only pollen-collecting insects would be of value to the blossom. If beetles contribute to the pollination of this plant, as Knuth (p. 440, 1908*) indicated, the visitation by pollen- collecting bees would appear to be much more valuable. No information is available on the degree of benefit such flowers may

6.06

USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Vegetative Spread Rate: None

6.07

(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pomegranate.html

(1)Fruits begin forming about 4 years after planting (2) The pomegranate may begin to bear in 1 year after planting out, but 2-1/2 to 3 years is more common. Under suitable conditions the fruit should mature some 5 to 7 months after bloom.

7.01

no evidence

7.02

widely cultivated in many countries of the world for its fruit

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.389

Fruit a red globose berry 5-13 cm in diameter with many seeds embaded in a red jelly

7.07

no evidence

7.08

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/webb/BOT201/Dispersal/BOT311-00/anthogymnolcycle4.htm

bird-dispersed

8.01

(1) USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
(2) Viswanath, P.; Al-Bakri, A. N.; Nadaf, S. K. (1999) Correlations and variability in fruit characters of pomegranate ED: Faroda, A. S.; Joshi, N. L.; Kathju, S.; Amal Kar. Recent advances in management of arid ecosystem. Proceedings of a symposium held in India, March 1997., 1999, pp.361-364, 8 ref.

(1) Seed per Pound: 2400 [numberous seeds in each fruit]
(2) AB: Fruit weight ranged from 141.5 to 543 g, while total seed weight ranged from 99.4 to 301.8 g. [525-1595 seeds/fruit]

8.02

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

Stand establishment using direct sowing [no indication of dormancy]

8.03

no evidence

8.04

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pomegranate.html

There is a strong tendency to sucker from the base. [implies regrowth after cutting to base]

8.05

no evidence