Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Schefflera taiwaniana


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Evaluate, score: 1


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Schefflera taiwaniana . Family - Araliaceae

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

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)

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

n

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

0

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)

y

2

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

y

1

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

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)

n

-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)

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

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:

1

Supporting data:

Notes

References

1.01

No evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

Native to Taiwan.

Daehler, C. Curtis and Baker, Ray. 2006. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 86: 3- 18.

2.02

2.03

No evidence regarding the species environmental range.

2.04

Native to Taiwan.

Daehler, C. Curtis and Baker, Ray. 2006. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 86: 3- 18.

2.05

No evidence.

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

Schefflera actinophyla is considered an environmental weed.

(1)http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/hortweeds/species/schact.htm (2)http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SCAC2

4.01

No evidence of such triatis.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know.

4.05

No evidence

4.06

No evidence regarding associated pests or pathogens.

4.07

No evidence

4.08

Probably not - an evergreen species.

http://transcoder.usablenet.com:8080/tt/http://www.rhs.org.uk/publications/pubs/garden0505/oasis.asp

4.09

(1) 'Farther down the shady path are hardy Schefflera taiwaniana (seemingly too tender to survive outdoors, it turns heads), variegated creeping Jacob's ladder and thumb-size bog plants.' (2)Moist and partially shaded, he hopes to include Liquidambar for autumn colour, bamboos, Trachycarpus wagnerianus (a small palm long cultivated in Japan), rare Fatsia polycarpa and recently introduced evergreen Schefflera taiwaniana.

(1)http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw02052006/fg2.html (2)http://transcoder.usablenet.com:8080/tt/http://www.rhs.org.uk/publications/pubs/garden0505/oasis.asp

4.1

No evidence regarding soil requirements.

4.11

An evergreen shrub.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

5.02

5.03

Probably not - belongs to Araliaceae family.

5.04

6.01

6.02

Epiphytic seedlings found growing around the initial plantings at Lyon Arboretum.

Daehler, C. Curtis and Baker, Ray. 2006. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 86: 3- 18.

6.03

Don’t know. [Although no evidence of hybridization in the genus Stromanthe}.

6.04

6.05

6.06

No evidence of spread by vegetative means.

6.07

4 to 5 years.

Ray Baker. Pers. Comm. Lyon Arboretum. 3860 Manoa Road. Honolulu. Hawaii. 96822. Phone (808)988-0456.

7.01

No evidence that the species is grown in heavily trafficked areas.

7.02

Probabaly yes - it is an ornamentally desirable plant.

(1)http://www.crug-farm.co.uk/plantlist.asp?id=2358 (2)http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/586858/ (3)http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw02052006/fg2.html (4)http://www.msn.co.uk/womens/diarmuidatchelsea/Default.asp?Ath=f

7.03

Probably not - no evidence that the species around seed crop fields.

7.04

Probably bird dispersed.

Daehler, C.Curtis. and Baker, Ray. 2006. New records of naturalized and naturalizing plants around Lyon Arboretum, Manoa Valley, Oahu. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 87: 3-18

7.05

Probably not - no evidence that the species inhabits waterways.

7.06

Probably yes - ' … Epiphytic seedlings were found in the vicinity of the planted specimens, indicating that the species is being spread by birds, and suitable microhabitats are available for establishment.'

Daehler, C.Curtis. and Baker, Ray. 2006. New records of naturalized and naturalizing plants around Lyon Arboretum, Manoa Valley, Oahu. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 87: 3-18

7.07

Probably not - no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.08

Probably yes - bird dispersed.

Daehler, C.Curtis. and Baker, Ray. 2006. New records of naturalized and naturalizing plants around Lyon Arboretum, Manoa Valley, Oahu. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 87: 3-18

8.01

No evidence seed size and number.

8.02

No evidence regarding seed bank.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

No evidence.

8.05

Don’t know.


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