Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Taliparti elatum


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: 5 (low risk based on second screen)


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.

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

Hibiscus elatus (syn. of Talipariti elatum); blue mahoe, Cuban bast [Fryxell, P. A. (2001) Talipariti (Malvaceae), a segregate from Hibiscus . Contributions from the University of Michigan Herbarium, 2001, Vol.23, pp.225-270]

Answer

1.01

synonyms: Crescentia pinnata Jacq.; Kigelia pinnata (Jacq.) DC.

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

y

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

3.04

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

n=0

3.05

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

n=0

y

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

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

n

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

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

y

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

y

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

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

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

n

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

y

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:

5

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

no evidence

1.02

"widely planted and naturalized from southern Florida to Mexico, Peru, and Brazil, and throughout the West Indies. "

http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets/Chudnoff/TropAmerican/htmlDocs_tropamerican/Hibiscuselatus.html

1.03

no evidence

2.01

Review of natural distribution
H. elatus is native to Cuba and Jamaica but has been widely planted on both islands and has naturalized in southern Florida (USA), Mexico, Peru, Brazil and throughout the West Indies.
Natural latitude range: Approximate limits north to south: 26N to 15S
Vegetation types: mixed forests; moist forests; mountain forests
List of countries with natural populations: Caribbean (as a whole), Cuba, Jamaica

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

2.02

2.03

Natural latitude range
Approximate limits north to south: 26N to 15S
Climate
H. elatus can grow at altitudes varying from zero to 1200 m and an annual rainfall ranging from 1500 mm to 3800 mm per annum. It will survive on alluvial plains receiving an annual rainfall of 1000 mm or less.
Descriptors
- Altitude range: 0 - 1200 m
- Mean annual rainfall: 1500 - 3800 mm
- Rainfall regime: bimodal
- Dry season duration: 2 - 3 months
- Mean annual temperature: 20 - 25C (2)Native habitat is Marsh Forest (3)mountainous terrain (4)Native to upland parts of Cuba.[seems to inhabit a variety of areas] (5)> 1500 mm rainfall [wet/mesic habitats] (6)Resistant to salt spray

(1)CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/cpd/ma/ma-carib.htm (3)http://www.mountain-portal.co.uk/text/state/ma5.htm (4)http://www.globalecotechnics.com/tropicventuresmahoe.html (5)http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/Hibiscuselatus.pdf (6)Little et al. 1974. Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. USDA Handbook 449.

2.04

Natural latitude range
Approximate limits north to south: 26N to 15S

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

2.05

Location of introductions:
Plantations have been established in Grenada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Peru and Brazil. It has been little used as an agroforestry species.

CAB International, (2001) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

3.01

"widely planted and naturalized from southern Florida to Mexico, Peru, and Brazil, and throughout the West Indies. "

http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets/Chudnoff/TropAmerican/htmlDocs_tropamerican/Hibiscuselatus.html

3.02

no evidence

3.03

(1)listed as Principle weed of Jamaica [native to Jamaica and it is the National tree threre!] (2)In Jamaica - common but mostly as a result of planting [contradicts the first reference] (3)not an invasive plant of Jamaica

(1)Geographic Atlas of World Weeds, Holm, Pancho, Herberger, Pluncknett (2)Adams, C.D. 1970. Flowering plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona. (3)http://www.jamaicachm.org.jm/aliens_i_pl.htm

3.04

(1) "Species that has been able to regenerate and compete in forests stands and is likely to become common or abundant within the next century" [in Puerto Rico, as described in Francis & Liogier (1991)]] (2)Described as a valuable and environmentally friendly tree in Puerto Rico's forests, as part of sustainable forestry program

(1)http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/w-inv4.rtf (2)http://www.ecotechnics.edu/lc.html

3.05

H. abelmoschus was listed as a common weed in Indonesia; H. articulatus was listed as a common weed in Angola; H. aspera was listed as a common weed in Gahna, Ivory Coast; H. cannabinus was listed as a serious weed in Zimbabwe, and common weed in Cambodia.

Bacon, P., P.J. Terry, N. Waltham, & P.Castro S. (1997) An Electronic Atlas of World Weed and Invasive Plants. Version 1.0, 1997. A database based on the original work "A Geographical Atlas of World Weeds" by Holm et al 1979.

4.01

no description of these traits

CAB International, (2001) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

no evidence

4.06

(1) Protection
Francis and Weaver (1988) reported that H. elatus is relatively free of pests and diseases with only occasional reports of damage. In Jamaica, leaf spots caused by species of Septoria and Pestalotia heterocornis were observed (Leather, 1967) while in Cuba, bacterial spot was observed on the leaves (Rodriguez and Hinojosa, 1986). Garcia et al. (1990) reported Anomis illita to be an important defoliator of this species. It is also a host to the cotton stainer, Desdercus spp. (Callan, 1943).
Pests recorded
Insect pests:
Anomis illita [a specialist pest also attck Urena lobata, a fiber crop
(2)] Desdercus
Fungus diseases:
Pestalotia heterocornis [no economic importance]
Septoria
Bacterial diseases:
Pseudomonas cichorii [generalist]
(2) An annotated list is presented of 22 insect species that are injurious in Para State, Brazil, to Urena lobata, a malvaceous fibre crop; most of the insects were collected in the regions of Belem and Braganca. In decreasing order of injuriousness, the main pests were

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
(2) Silva, A. de B.; Magalhaes, B. (1981) Insects injurious to mallow (Urena lobata L.) in the State of Para.(Foreign Title: Insetos nocivos a cultura da malva (Urena lobata L.) no Estado do Para.) Boletim de Pesquisa, EMBRAPA, CPATU, 1981, No. 21, pp. 12 , 3 ref.

4.07

If boiled with Cissus sicyoides it can be used to treat colds (2)The wood smells peppery when worked and causes sneezing

CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/BotDermM/MALV.html

4.08

"Marsh forest was once dominated by species of Symphonia, Terminalia, Hibiscus elatus, Grias cauliflora (the only West Indian representative of Lecythidaceae), and the endemic morass royal palm Roystonea princeps. " [probably not, wet habitat]

http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/cpd/ma/ma-carib.htm

4.09

capable of regenerating in the shade of a closed canopy forest

http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/Hibiscuselatus.pdf

4.1

(1)Soil and physiography
H. elatus grows on a wide range of soil conditions and altitudes. The best growth occurs near mountain bases and on the lower mountain slopes. It does performs poorly on shallow soils over bedrock, very poorly drained soils and severely eroded or nutrient-depleted sites. It is intolerant of exposed conditions (such as exposed ridges).
Descriptors
- Soil texture: light; medium; heavy
- Soil drainage: free
- Soil reaction: acid; neutral; alkaline
- Special soil tolerances:
- Soil types: alluvial soils; clay soils; limestone soils; sandy soils; tropical soils; volcanic soils (2)Moderate Salt tolerant

(1)CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.green-seeds.com/PDF/landscape_pt.pdf

4.11

no evidence

4.12

no evidence

5.01

an evergreen medium sized tree

5.02

tree; Malvaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

an evergreen medium sized tree

6.01

produce viable seeds in native habitat

http://www.unesco.org/mab/capacity/mys/99/Sanchez/Sanchez.pdf

6.02

"Ease of germination results in successful plantation establishment"

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

6.03

The timber tree Hibiscus elatus Sw. has been reported tohybridize with the shrubby Hibiscus pernambucensis Arruda inJamaica (Adams 1971).'

http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:fNbg6cV08RsJ:
www.rngr.net/Reforestation/Publications/TTSM/ch2+HIbiscus+elatus+hybrids&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

6.04

no evidence

6.05

"In the morning when I open my flowers, they’ll have a bright yellow-orange coloration. At the end of the day, the flowers will change color to an orange-red. In the tropical rainforest, my flowers are visited and pollinated by bats. The bats come over to drink the sweet nectar that I produce for them. Here at this facility, I receive visits from many hummingbirds. Early in the morning, hummingbirds can be observed fighting for the chance to drink the sweet nectar from my flowers." [bat and bird pollinated]

http://www.laparks.org/dos/forest/pdf/hibiscusElatus_elysianPK.pdf

6.06

a single trunked tree

http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/Hibiscuselatus.pdf

6.07

Four year old plant are about 5 meters tall [don't know if large enough to flower - max height is 25 m]

http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/Hibiscuselatus.pdf

7.01

no evidence

7.02

"one species (T. elatum , formerly H. elatus ) has been the subject of plantings on a small scale for timber production"

Fryxell, P. A. (2001) Talipariti (Malvaceae), a segregate from Hibiscus . Contributions from the University of Michigan Herbarium, 2001, Vol.23, pp.225-270, 106 ref.

7.03

no evidence

7.04

(1) Fruits are grey-green hairy capsules, 2.5 to 3 cm long and contain numerous blackish-brown seeds.
(2) When the capsule opens, the seeds are ejected and dispersed throughout the area. [no other means of dispersal known]

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
(2) http://www.laparks.org/dos/forest/pdf/hibiscusElatus_elysianPK.pdf

7.05

seeds simply drop beneath the mother tree

http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/Hibiscuselatus.pdf

7.06

Fruits are grey-green hairy capsules, 2.5 to 3 cm long and contain numerous blackish-brown seeds. [no bird dispersal syndrome]

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

7.07

no evidence

7.08

no evidence of ingestion

8.01

(1) In the West Indies seeds ripen in March and April when the capsules are picked and laid in the sun to dry. Seed weight in Jamaica averages 1.8 to 1.9 g/100 seeds but is slightly less in Puerto Rico.
(2) AB: A note on this seed orchard in Cuba, started in 1979 and by 1987 reduced to 156 trees of 40 clones. These trees are now of mean height 10.8 m, with crown mean diameter 9.02 m. The total annual seed yield was >200 kg in 1987 (compared with 9 kg in 1981).
[200 kg/156 trees with crown mean diameter 9.02 m = 1372 seeds per square meter crown]

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
(2) Sotolongo, P. Seed orchard of Hibiscus elatus : production of genetically improved seed. [El huerto semillero de Hibiscus elatus (majagua). Producción de semilla mejorada genéticamente.] Revista Forestal Baracoa, 1989, Vol.19, No.2, pp.109-111, 2 ref.

8.02

(1) Seed storage orthodox
(2)The seeds of H. elatus presents innate dormancy imposed by hard covers."; "in G. ulmifolia and H. elatus; therefore they belong to the category of orthodox seeds This allows that the seeds can stay by the way time in the forest soil without deterioration of their cellular structure

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
(2) http://www.unesco.org/mab/capacity/mys/99/Sanchez/Sanchez.pdf

8.03

no evidence that it is being controlled

8.04

epicormic sprouting ability

Ashton, P. M. S., J. S. Lowe, et al. (1990). Some evidence for the cause of epicormic sprouting in blue mahoe (Hibiscus elatus Sw.) in the moist limestone region of Puerto Rico (West Indies). Journal Of Tropical Forest Science 3(2): 123-130.

8.05

no evidence


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