Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzelius. Family - Apocynaceae. Common Names(s) - Poison devil's pepper. Synonym(s) - Rauvolfia stuhlmannii K.Schum.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

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

y

1

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

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

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

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

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

6.07

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

See left

2

0

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

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

1

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

11

Notes

Source

1.01

(1)No evidence

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Native : Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Uganda (2)widespread in tropical Africa from Senegal to Sudan and South to Angola

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008] (2)Aluka.http://www.aluka.org/action/showCompilationPage?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.COMPILATION.PLANT-NAME-SPECIES.RAUVOLFIA.VOMITORIA [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

2.02

Native range well within tropics.

2.03

(1)Ecology: Along roadsides; in scrub vegetation and secondary forests; altitude 0-1600 m [elevational distribution >1000 m]

(1)van Dilst, F. J. H. and A. J. M. Leeuwenberg. 1991. Rauvolfia L. in Africa and Madagascar Series of Revisions of Apocynaceae XXXIII. Bulletin du Jardin botanique national de Belgique / Bulletin van de National Plantentuin van België 61(1/2): pp. 21-69.

2.04

(1)Native : Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Uganda (2)widespread in tropical Africa from Senegal to Sudan and South to Angola

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008] (2)Aluka.http://www.aluka.org/action/showCompilationPage?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.COMPILATION.PLANT-NAME-SPECIES.RAUVOLFIA.VOMITORIA [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

2.05

(1)S Guangdong, S Guangxi, S Yunnan [China] (2)native to tropical Africa, reported as naturalized in Puerto Rico by M. Vives. (3)...Three species have been introduced. The three are: R. serpentina Benth., an Indian shrub from 0.5 to 3 feet high, R. vomitoria Afzel., to 20 feet high from Africa...The first two are being grown experimentally for the medicine they yield...:

(1)Ping-tao, L., A. J. M. Leeuwenberg and D. J. Middleton. 1995. APOCYNACEAE. Flora of China 16: 143–188. (2)Liogier, A.H. and L. F. Martorell. 2000. Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: A Systematic Synopsis. Universidad de Puerto Rico. San Juan, PR. (3)Neal, M.C 1965. In Gardens of Hawaii. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.

3.01

(1)A native to tropical Africa, reported as naturalized in Puerto Rico by M. Vives. (2)An incipient population of Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzelius (APOCYNACEAE) (poison devil's pepper or swizzle stick) is present in North Kohala, Hawaii island, within an area of about 2000-3000 acres...It was first noticed by field workers about ten years ago, and became a concern within the past year as its spread became uncontrollable. Its source is unknown, but it is possibly from an historic medicinal garden. The tree is spreading rapidly, and has invaded pastures, gulches and closed-canopy alien and mixed alien-ohia forest in North Kohala. The current distribution is from about 600 ft to 1600 ft elevation, from Makapala to 'Iole in North Kohala.

(1)Liogier, A.H. and L. F. Martorell. 2000. Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: A Systematic Synopsis. Universidad de Puerto Rico. San Juan, PR. (2)Melora K. Purell (pers. comm 09 Aug 2008). Coordinator Kohala Watershed Partnership P.O. Box 437182 Kamuela, HI 96743 808/333-0976 Coordinator@kohalawatershed.org

3.02

R. vomitoria, as a pioneer species, has the attributes of a disturbance weed (1)Ecology: Along roadsides; in scrub vegetation and secondary forests; altitude 0-1600 m (2)When fallow periods are reduced to two to four years, the number of species present is also reduced, and only thicket is formed before the onset of the next farming period. Weed species, of both woody and herbaceous kinds, predominate, accompanied by oil palms, Combretum spp. and Trema guineensis. Rauvolfia vomitoria is one of the last species to disappear when the regime is prolonged

(1)van Dilst, F. J. H. and A. J. M. Leeuwenberg. 1991. Rauvolfia L. in Africa and Madagascar Series of Revisions of Apocynaceae XXXIII. Bulletin du Jardin botanique national de Belgique / Bulletin van de National Plantentuin van België 61(1/2): pp. 21-69. (2)Steentoft, M. 1988. Flowering Plants in West Africa. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, United Kingdom.

3.03

R. vomitoria is demonstrating the potential to become a serious agricultural or horticultural weed (1)PalatinoAloha kakou, An incipient population of Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzelius (APOCYNACEAE) (poison devil's pepper or swizzle stick) is present in North Kohala, Hawaii island, within an area of about 2000-3000 acres. This tree is native to central tropical Africa, and in its home range it is endangered. The plant is a nitrogen-fixer, and contains medicinal alkaloids (World Agroforestry Centre database at http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768). It is cultivated in China and Puerto Rico. Its home range is from Liberia to Cameroon (up to 8 deg N lat), and it has been collected from sea level to 5800 feet (MBG Herbarium database). It has not yet been officially recorded in Hawaii or elsew

(1)Melora K. Purell (pers. comm 09 Aug 2008). Coordinator Kohala Watershed Partnership P.O. Box 437182 Kamuela, HI 96743 808/333-0976 Coordinator@kohalawatershed.org

3.04

R. vomitoria is demonstrating the potential to become a serious agricultural or horticultural weed (1)PalatinoAloha kakou, An incipient population of Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzelius (APOCYNACEAE) (poison devil's pepper or swizzle stick) is present in North Kohala, Hawaii island, within an area of about 2000-3000 acres. This tree is native to central tropical Africa, and in its home range it is endangered. The plant is a nitrogen-fixer, and contains medicinal alkaloids (World Agroforestry Centre database at http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768). It is cultivated in China and Puerto Rico. Its home range is from Liberia to Cameroon (up to 8 deg N lat), and it has been collected from sea level to 5800 feet (MBG Herbarium database). It has not yet been officially recorded in Hawaii or elsewhere in the Pacific as far as I can tell: (Please confirm). It was first noticed by field workers about ten years ago, and became a concern within the past year as its spread became uncontrollable. Its source is unknown, but it is possibly from an historic medicinal garden. The tree is spreading rapidly, and has invaded pastures, gulches and closed-canopy alien and mixed alien-ohia forest in North Kohala. The current distribution is from about 600 ft to 1600 ft elevation, from Makapala to 'Iole in North Kohala. The plant has been positively identified by Dr. Greg Koob, State Biologist for NRCS, and I am preparing an herbarium specimen and will send it to Bishop Museum. The photos attached here were taken on Friday, 8/8/08, on a site visit with James Leary (UH-Manoa); David Clausnitzer, Lori Metz, and Matt Wung (all NRCS-Waimea field office); Sophia Schweitzer and Rick Gordon (Kohala Preserve Conservation Trust: KPCT). They share my deep concern and call to action. Currently the only control for this invasive tree has been limited mechanical control: mowing and cutting. (Workers have reported "feeling woozy" after cutting the trees - the alkaloids may be the cause?) The tree responds vigorously after cutting, with numerous new stems arising from the cut stump. (It reminds me of the vigorous sprouting of strawberry guava after cuttting.) It grows very quickly. After mowing, re-sprouts reach a height of 3-4 feet within two months. Trees aged 5-8 years are 30 feet tall, and covered in fruit. One grove of fruiting trees in the photo below had a flock of 100+ mynah birds consuming the fruit. In its home range, the seeds are bird-dispersed. In the disturbed areas and gulches in this part of North Kohala, the tree is growing under the canopies of eucalyptus, strawberry guava, common guava, kukui, albizia and 'ohia. It is extremely shade tolerant, and even under dense canopies, its growth rate exceeds all of those trees, and it is forming thickets in the understory. The seeds appear to germinate quickly, but the seed life is unknown. Its spread has not yet reached the native forest mauka of it current infestation, and it has not yet been detected in the adjacent Kohala State Forest Reserve or the Pu'u O Umi Natural Area Reserve, although species-specific surveys have not been conducted. PalatinoMy opinion is that Rauvolfia vomitoria represents a severe threat to both agriculture and natural areas in Hawaii, and this population is a prime target for a coordinated rapid response. I would like to call upon all of you and your respective agencies to act quickly to contain this infestation, and eradicate this population before it spreads any further. The landowners are supportive of control, but do not have the personnel or resources to combat this alone.

(1)Melora K. Purell (pers. comm 09 Aug 2008). Coordinator Kohala Watershed Partnership P.O. Box 437182 Kamuela, HI 96743 808/333-0976 Coordinator@kohalawatershed.org

3.05

Several species of Rauvolfia listed as weeds, but no information or evidence of impacts was found (1)Rauvolfia cubana listed among the Invasive alien plant species in China [no evidence or description of impacts] (2)The large-scale of R. tetraphylla plants in some areas, and their spreading as weeds in India, and more recently in Australia, should also afford ideal opportunity for a detailed field study of variation in this species. (3)Naturalized plants that have already become invasive on the Campus are mainly trees such as Prosopis juliflora, Cassia siamea, Cassia javanica and Polyalthia longifolia. Amongst the shrubs, Antigonon leptopus, Cereus peruvianus and Rauvolfia tetraphylla (see photo) are invasive. Of these, the former two species have been identified as invasive in GNP too, where their spread is apparently favoured by shade (Raman et al, 1995). Rauvolfia tetraphylla, a shrub that bears attractive red berries, has similarly invaded parts of the Campus taking advantage of the shade. Parthenium hysterophorus is generally considered an invasive. (4)Rauvolfia ligustrina listed as an agricultural weed [no evidence or desciption of impacts] (5)Rauvolfia salicifolia listed as an agricultural weed [no evidence or desciption of impacts]

(1)Weber, E., Sun, S.-G. and Li, B. 2008. Invasive alien plants in China: diversity and ecological insights. Biological Invasions, preprint Monday, 21 January, 2008. doi: 10.1007/s10530-008-9216-3. (2)Rao, A.S. 1956. A Revision of Rauvolfia With Particular Reference to the American Species. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 43(3): 253-354. (3)Anonymous. 2006. Rapid Assessment of Biodiversity on the Campus of Indian Institute of Technology - Madras. Report of the Study Commissioned by Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Submitted by Care Earth. Thillaiganganagar, Chennai. (4)http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/rauvolfia_ligustrina/ [Accessed 16 Sep 2008] (5)http://www.hear.org/gcw/

4.01

(1)No evidence

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

4.02

(1)Several other species associated with and growing under Rauvolfia vomitoria.

(1)Clayton, W.D. 1958. Secondary Vegetation and the Transition to Savanna Near Ibadan, Nigeria. The Journal of Ecology 46(2): 217-238.

4.03

(1)No evidence

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

4.04

Not a preferred browse species due to presence of alkaloids, although apparently can be eaten by goats [see Reference 4] (1)Not a preferred browse species (2)Although no direct evidence of detoxification is available for colobines, the capacity of Colobus satanas to exploit the leaves of Rauvolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) despite the presence of a number of potentially toxic indole alkaloids can be explained by rumen detoxification. [may require specialized digestion to become palatable] (3)McKey et al. (1981) found that black colobus (Colobus satanas) can consume appreciable quantities of the alkaloid-rich leaves of Rauvolfia vomitoria that would be lethal to non-adapted folivores. (4)Data from chemical analyses of 44 spp. are presented. DM was in the range 31.4-34.2%. Mean CP content was higher for trees, shrubs and herbs than for grasses and varied from 10.07% in Mangifera indica to 37.87% in Albizia ferruginea. CF varied from 9.3% in Rauvolfia vomitoria to 40.7% in A. ferruginea.

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008] (2)Davies, A.G. and J. F. 1994. OatesColobine Monkeys: Their Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, UK. (3)McKey, D.B., Gartlan, J.S., Waterman, P.G. & Choo, C.M. 1981. Food selection by black colobus monkeys (Colobus satanas) in relation to plant chemistry. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 16, 115–146. (4)Mecha, I and T.A. Adegbola. 1980. Chemical composition of some southern Nigeria forage eaten by goats. Pp 303-306 in H. N. Houerou (ed.). Browse in Africa. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; International Livestock Centre for Africa.

4.05

Toxic to non-adapted folivores (1)McKey et al. (1981) found that black colobus (Colobus satanas) can consume appreciable quantities of the alkaloid-rich leaves of Rauvolfia vomitoria that would be lethal to non-adapted folivores.

(1)McKey, D.B., Gartlan, J.S., Waterman, P.G. & Choo, C.M. 1981. Food selection by black colobus monkeys (Colobus satanas) in relation to plant chemistry. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 16, 115–146.

4.06

(1)The tree is a wild host of the pathogen causing ‘collar crack’ of cacao. Despite these reports it is used as a shade bearer for young cacao trees and as a support for vanilla in Gabon. (2)Abstract During the period February to July 1992 the incidence of attacks by insect pests on ten cultivated browse species was studied at Obio Akpa, located in humid southeastern Nigeria. Two of the browse speciesGliricidia sepium andLeucaena leucocephala were exotic and eightAlchornia cordifolia, Baphia nitida, Rauvolfia vomitoria, Diallum guineensis, Ficus capensis, Glyphaea brevis, Homalium aylmeri andManniophytum fulvum indigenous. Forty insect pests were collected and 33 identified. Those identified belonged to either the order Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Lepidoptera or Orthoptera. Some of the insects were browse-specific, while others attacked several browse species. None of the browse species was free from insect attacks.

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008] (2)Orok, E.J., M. U. Ekpo and A. Larbi. 1995. Insect pests of some exotic and indigenous browse species in southeastern Nigeria. Agroforestry Systems 29(1): 37-45.

4.07

(1)Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. 2,6-Dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone, a known contact allergen, has been reported to occur in this species (2)Cultivated for medicine. All parts are poisonous. The roots and leaves are reported to have emetic and cathartic properties, and the bark is used as a remedy for fever and indigestion.

(1)BoDD: The Botanical Dermatology Database. http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/BotDermA/APOC-3.html. [Accessed 11 Sep 2008] (2)Ping-tao, L., A. J. M. Leeuwenberg and D. J. Middleton. 1995. APOCYNACEAE. Flora of China 16: 143–188.

4.08

No evidence, and unlikely given native rainforest habitat (1)lowland rain forest

(1)Friis, I,. Kaj Vollesen and Kongelige Danske. 1998. Flora of the Sudan-Uganda Border Area East of the Nile: catalogue of vascular plants. Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Denmark.

4.09

(1)In the disturbed areas and gulches in this part of North Kohala, the tree is growing under the canopies of eucalyptus, strawberry guava, common guava, kukui, albizia and 'ohia. It is extremely shade tolerant, and even under dense canopies, its growth rate exceeds all of those trees, and it is forming thickets in the understory.

(1)Melora K. Purell (pers. comm 09 Aug 2008). Coordinator Kohala Watershed Partnership P.O. Box 437182 Kamuela, HI 96743 808/333-0976 Coordinator@kohalawatershed.org

4.10

(1)The highly weathered, intensely leached, ferrallitic tropical soils area derived from sedimentary rocks which are mainly unconsolidated sandstone. Consequently, the soils have kaolinite as their predominant clay mineral, contain little weatherable mineral reserves, have a low nutrient status and a low cation exchange capacity. (2)Rauvolfia vomitoria appears in successional vegetation on clayey, sandy and poorly drained and swampy soils in Nigeria.

(1)Aweto, A.O. 1981. Succession and Soil Fertility Restoration in South-Western Nigeria: I. Succession. The Journal of Ecology 69(2): 601-607. (2)Clayton, W.D. 1958. Secondary Vegetation and the Transition to Savanna Near Ibadan, Nigeria. The Journal of Ecology 46(2): 217-238.

4.11

(1)Rauvolfia vomitoria is a shrub or small tree up to 8 m.

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

4.12

(1)After repeated cycles of cultivation a change may be detected in the composition of the farm regrowth and the pollarded saplings. It is not so rich in species, and many of the plants so characteristic of tall thicket such as Funtumia spp. Are much reduced in frequency, while others, notably Rauvolfia vomitoria and members of the Sapindales have become prominent. [intensive and repeated cultivation results in formation of Rauvolfia thickets]...Unlike the thicket it is never impenetrable, and sometimes it is quite easy to walk through [secondary forest being contrasted to Rauvolfia and other thickets]...The most usual vegetation at the edge of the grassland, however, is not Ficus fallow, but a mixture of savanna species with those of Rauvolfia thicket, interspersed with patches of Imperata...It appears that once Imperata had become established, and provided the grass is regularly fired, it can invade adjacent Rauvolfia thicket. Otherwise the relatively dense Rauvolfia thicket offers few opportunities for the establishment of Imperata, which is intolerant of shade.

(1)Clayton, W.D. 1958. Secondary Vegetation and the Transition to Savanna Near Ibadan, Nigeria. The Journal of Ecology 46(2): 217-238.

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

Apocynaceae

5.03

(1)Nitrogen fixing: Forms root nodules with vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza.

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

5.04

A woody tree

6.01

(1)No evidence

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008] (2)Aluka.http://www.aluka.org/action/showCompilationPage?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.COMPILATION.PLANT-NAME-SPECIES.RAUVOLFIA.VOMITORIA [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

6.02

(1)The fruits are one or a pair of globose or ellipsoid drupes about 12 mm in length [Genus description] Fruits (Apr.-Aug.) red, globose, about 6 mm diam. [Species description]. (2)Fruits bright orange or red, usually 1 mericarp developing, globose, ovoid or ellipsoid, 8–14 mm long, up to 9 mm in diameter; seeds ellipsoid, 6–8 mm long.

(1)Keay, R. W. J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Clarendon Press, Oxford, UK. (2)Aluka.http://www.aluka.org/action/showCompilationPage?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.COMPILATION.PLANT-NAME-SPECIES.RAUVOLFIA.VOMITORIA [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

6.03

Unknown (1)Hybridization suspected within species of genus

(1)Rao, A.S. 1956. A Revision of Rauvolfia With Particular Reference to the American Species. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 43(3): 253-354.

6.04

Functionally gynodioeciouse, but unknown whether individuals are self-compatible (1)Functional dioecy has been reported in Rauvolfia sellowii and functional gynodioecy in R. vomitoria...In functionally dioecious and gynodioecious species of both Rauvolfia and Carissa, the female plants have normal appearing but sterile anthers, and the style is shorter than in the flowers of pollen-producing male plants.

(1)Simoes, A.O., T. Livshultz, E. Conti, and M. E. Endress. 2007. Phylogeny and systematics of the Rauvolfioideae (Apocynaceae) based on molecular and morphological evidence. Ann. Missouri Bot.Gard. 94: 268–297.

6.05

(1)The sweet-scented flowers are frequented by bees.

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

6.06

Although this species can resprout from cuttings, no evidence was found to indicate that it spreads vegetatively or by root suckering (1) Natural stump regrowth is possible in this species. (2)Some medicinal plants, e.g., Rauvolfia vomitoria…can be exploited continuously because of their ability to regenerate themselves.

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008] (2)Balick, M.J., E. Elisabetsky, S. A. Laird. 1996. Medicinal Resources of the Tropical Forest: Biodiversity and Its Importance to Human Health. Columbia University Press. New York.

6.07

(1)While the most often recorded trees in near-primary forests were regenerating trees and shrubs characteristic of mature rain forest (Oubanguia alata, Gilbertiodendron demonstrans), secondary forests were dominated by oil palms (Elaeis guineensis, which, at least partly, indicate agricultural activities) or by gap species and other fast growing pioneers such as Pycnanthus, Rauvolfia, or Musanga spp. (2)"...very early reproduction was recorded...in Rauvolfia vomitoria (flowers at 2 years on a 2 m tall tree)..."

(1)Waltert, M., K. Serge Bobo, N. Moses Sainge, H. Fermon and M. Mu Hlenberg. 2005. From forest to farmland: habitat effects on Afrotropical bird diversity. Ecological Applications 15(4): 1351–1366. (2)Swaine, M.D. and John B. Hall. 1983. Early Succession on Cleared Forest Land in Ghana. The Journal of Ecology 71(2 (Jul): 601-627.

7.01

No evidence, and no means of external attachment (1)The fruits are one or a pair of globose or ellipsoid drupes about 12 mm in length [Genus description] Fruits (Apr.-Aug.) red, globose, about 6 mm diam. [Species description].

(1)Keay, R. W. J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Clarendon Press, Oxford, UK.

7.02

(1)Ornamental: Widely planted as an ornamental and avenue tree.

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

7.03

No evidence, and unlikely given relatively large fruit (1)The fruits are one or a pair of globose or ellipsoid drupes about 12 mm in length [Genus description] Fruits (Apr.-Aug.) red, globose, about 6 mm diam. [Species description].

(1)Keay, R. W. J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Clarendon Press, Oxford, UK.

7.04

(1)The fruits are one or a pair of globose or ellipsoid drupes about 12 mm in length [Genus description] Fruits (Apr.-Aug.) red, globose, about 6 mm diam. [Species description].

(1)Keay, R. W. J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Clarendon Press, Oxford, UK.

7.05

(1)Many species, not only in America but also in Africa and Asia, have a distribution following rivers and streams. The stones of Rauvolfia are hard and can withstand considerable buffeting in water currents. It may well be that birds and water currents together are responsible for the wide dispersal of the genus. (2)List of riparian forests plant species of Benin [includes R. vomitoria] (3)R. vomitoria...banks of seasonal river...in riverine vegetation

(1)Rao, A.S. 1956. A Revision of Rauvolfia With Particular Reference to the American Species. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 43(3): 253-354. (2)Natta, A.K. 2003. Ecological assessment of riparian forests in Benin: Phytodiversity, phytosociology, and spatial distribution of tree species. PhD Dissertation. Wageningen University. Netherlands. (3)Friis, I,. Kaj Vollesen and Kongelige Danske. 1998. Flora of the Sudan-Uganda Border Area East of the Nile: catalogue of vascular plants. Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Denmark.

7.06

(1)Fruits are fleshy and red in colour...Fruit dispersal is by birds.

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008]

7.07

No means of external attachment

7.08

(1)Fruits are fleshy and red in colour...Fruit dispersal is by birds. (2)List of seeds dispersed by primates in the Dja Reserve, Cameroon...The unknown column represents the assemblage of arboreal monkeys, and the data are derived from faeces deposited in seed traps and faeces found opportunistically on the forest floor. [includes R. vomitoria]

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008] (2)Poulsen, J.R., C. J. Clark and T. B. Smith. 2001. Seed Dispersal by a Diurnal Primate Community in the Dja Reserve, Cameroon. Journal of Tropical Ecology 17(6): 787-808.

8.01

Unknown

8.02

Unknown

8.03

Unknown [no information on herbicide use or effectiveness]

8.04

(1) Natural stump regrowth is possible in this species. (2)Some medicinal plants, e.g., Rauvolfia vomitoria…can be exploited continuously because of their ability to regenerate themselves.

(1)AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1768 [Accessed 11 Sep 2008] (2)Balick, M.J., E. Elisabetsky, S. A. Laird. 1996. Medicinal Resources of the Tropical Forest: Biodiversity and Its Importance to Human Health. Columbia University Press. New York.

8.05

Unknown