Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Syngonium auritum


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: 1 (low risk based on second screen)


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

Syngonium auritum (L.) Schott. Family - Araceae. Common Names(s) - five-fingers. Synonym(s) - Arum auritum L.

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

n

0

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

n

-2

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.03

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

n=0

n

0

3.04

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

n=0

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

2

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

y

1

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

y

1

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

0

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

n

0

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

n

-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

y

-1

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

6.07

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

See left

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

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-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

n

-1

8.02

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

y=1, n=-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:

1

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)This species is known from Jamaica, Cuba and Hispaniola in the West Indies.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

2.02

2.03

(1)USDA Hardiness Zone: 11 to 11

(1)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?36052 [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

2.04

(1)This species is known from Jamaica, Cuba and Hispaniola in the West Indies.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

2.05

(1)Syngonium auritum (L.) Schott was reported by Liogier and Martorell (Fl. Puerto Rico, Syst. Synop. 2000) as occurring in shady forests at low elevations. However, we have not been able to locate a specimen to verify this record, nor have we collected it in naturalized conditions. The species has been collected however, persisting on an abandoned farm in Utuado: Bo. Don Alonso, Acevedo-Rdgz. 13410 (MAPR, US). (2)Syngonium auritum (L.) Schott, of Gr. Ant., is occasionally cult. for ornament in CR; it is distinguished by its trisect to 5-foliolate leaf-blades and spathe-blade ca. twice as the staminate spadix region. Several native spp. are also frequently cult. as ornamentals, especially S. hoffmannii, S. podophyllum, and S. wendlandii. (3)Cultivated on Wake Atoll (4)Locations: Foster Botanical Garden Harold L. Lyon Arboretum Wahiawa Botanical Garden Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden

(1)Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. and M. T. Strong. 2005. Monocots and Gymnosperms of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, volume 52: 1-415. (2)http://www.inbio.ac.cr/papers/manual_plantas/1pistia.htm [Accessed 05 Jan 2009] (3)Levenson, J.B. 2008. INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WAKE ATOLL. 15th Civil Engineering Squadron, Environmental Planning Element. Hickam Air Force Base, Hawai’i. (4)Imada, C.T., G. W. Staples, and D. R. Herbst. 2005. Annotated Checklist of Cultivated Plants of Hawai‘i. http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/HBS/botany/cultivatedplants/?pg=search&str=Syngonium&fld=&lngID=-1683055448. [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

3.01

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinames.htm [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

3.02

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinames.htm [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

3.03

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinames.htm [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

3.04

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinames.htm [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

3.05

(1)Syngonium podophyllum…Ecological threat: FLEPPC Category I – Invasive exotics that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. (2)Syngonium podophyllum AMERICAN EVERGREEN Not native to Florida Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council: Category I designation This plant is an invasive exotic that is altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. This species should never be planted (many with this designation are prohibited by law), and generally should be removed whenever possible.

(1)http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/node/440 [Accessed 05 Jan 2009] (2)http://www.wildflphoto.com/species.php?k=p&id=374 [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

4.01

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_118b-3.html [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

4.02

(1)No evidence

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

4.03

(1)No evidence

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

4.04

(1)Plant Characteristics: poisonous, spreading [probably unpalatable, but no evidence found]

(1)http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_118b-3.html [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

4.05

(1)Plant Characteristics: poisonous, spreading,

(1)http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_118b-3.html [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

4.06

(1)Major Pests: Aphids, Mealybugs, Mites, Scale, Snails and Slugs, Thrips, Whiteflies...Diseases: Erwinia or Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas Blight, Black Cane Rot,Cephalosporium Leaf Spot,Myrothecium Leaf Spot, Rhizoctonia Blight and Leaf Spot

(1)http://www.agristarts.com/syn_trifolium.htm [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

4.07

(1)Plant Characteristics: poisonous, spreading,

(1)http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_118b-3.html [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

4.08

(1)Unlikely, given habitat in wet forests

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

4.09

(1)Light Conditions : Partial Shade (2)Light: 1500-3000 foot-candles (70%-80% shade)

(1)http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_118b-3.html [Accessed 05 Jan 2009] (2)http://www.agristarts.com/syn_trifolium.htm [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

4.10

(1)It thrives in almost any soil.

(1)Rauch, F.D. and P. R. Weissich. 2000. Plants for Tropical Landscapes: A Gardener's Guide. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.

4.11

(1)Evergreen trailer or climber that is sparsely branched.

(1)http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_118b-3.html [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

4.12

(1)No evidence

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

5.01

(1)All species of Syngonium are climbers and generally hemiepiphytic.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

5.02

(1)Araceae

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

5.03

(1)Araceae

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

5.04

(1)No evidence

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

6.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

6.02

(1)Each fruit of Syngonium contains 50-100 or more seeds. These are generally somewhat ovoid or cylindroid, usually 5-10 mm long and 3-6 mm in diameter, with both ends rounded.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

6.03

Unknown

6.04

(1)Flowers of Syngonium are markedly protogynous, becoming receptive 1-2 days before the staminate flowers shed pollen. (2)Self-pollination capacity. NO

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651. (2)CHOUTEAU, M., M. GIBERNAU and D. BARABÉ. 2008. Relationships between floral characters, pollination mechanisms, life forms, and habitats in Araceae. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 156: 29–42.

6.05

(1)Though no pollinators have been reported in the literature for Syngonium species, there seems to be little doubt that the genus has the same type of pollination syndrome already known for Philodendron, Dieffenbachia (Croat 1978) and Xanthosoma, which are known to be pollinated by large awkward scarab beetles of the subfamilies Rutelinae and Dynastiniae.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

6.06

(1)Propagation is relatively easy by stem cuttings

(1)Hume, E.P. 1949. Some Ornamental Vines for the Tropics. Puerto Rico Federal Experiment Station, Mayaguez. Circular 31: 1-72.

6.07

Unknown

7.01

(1)No means of external attachment

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

7.02

(1)ornamental

(1)http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_118b-3.html [Accessed 05 Jan 2009]

7.03

(1)No evidence

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

7.04

(1)In most cases, however, the fruits seem better suited for mammal dispersal (presumably monkeys) because they are not very colorful, yet they are fragrant.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

7.05

(1)In most cases, however, the fruits seem better suited for mammal dispersal (presumably monkeys) because they are not very colorful, yet they are fragrant.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

7.06

Possibly (1)Birdsey (1955) reported that only two species, namely S. wendlandii and S. mauroanum, had syncarps that matured white, but I found this to be true also for S. triphyllum. In such cases the fruits could be pecked open by birds.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

7.07

(1)No means of external attachment

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

7.08

(1)In most cases, however, the fruits seem better suited for mammal dispersal (presumably monkeys) because they are not very colorful, yet they are fragrant.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

8.01

(1)Each fruit of Syngonium contains 50-100 or more seeds. These are generally somewhat ovoid or cylindroid, usually 5-10 mm long and 3-6 mm in diameter, with both ends rounded.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

8.02

(1)Germination of the fruits is prompt and viability of the seed is lost promptly if they are allowed to dry out.

(1)Croat, T.B. 1981. A Revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 68(4): 565-651.

8.03

Unknown

8.04

Unknown

8.05

Unknown


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