Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Topobea parasitica


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 3 (high risk based on second screen)


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment
  Topobea parasitica  Family - Melastomaceae Answer Score
1.01 Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01) n 0
1.02 Has the species become naturalized where grown? n  
1.03 Does the species have weedy races? 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” 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
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) n 0
4.01 Produces spines, thorns or burrs n 0
4.02 Allelopathic n 0
4.03 Parasitic y 1
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 n -1
6.04 Self-compatible or apomictic y 1
6.05 Requires specialist pollinators n 0
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   0
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) y 1
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:   3
  Second screening   High risk

Supporting data:

  Notes Reference
1.01 No evidence  
1.02 No evidence  
1.03 No evidence  
2.01 Distribution- Brazil, Costa Rica, Guyana, Panama http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/Regions/Americas/programmes
/TropicalFruits/qryall3.asp?intIDSpecies=748
2.02    
2.03 Elevation range seems to extend over 1000 m - 3800 ft in Panama. http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast
2.04 Distribution- Brazil, Costa Rica, Guyana, Panama http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/Regions/Americas/programmes
/TropicalFruits/qryall3.asp?intIDSpecies=748
2.05 No evidence of this species being introduced outside of native range.  
3.01 No evidence of naturalization.  
3.02 No evidence  
3.03 No evidence  
3.04 No evidence  
3.05 No evidence  
4.01 No evidence  
4.02 No evidence  
4.03 Contrary to what might be deduced from its name, this is not a parasite but a semi-parasite. Its green leaves turn sunlight into energy, it only steals minerals from host plants. [this qualifies as parasitic] http://www.myristica.it/nov-2003/tresor_rainforest2.html
4.04 Don’t know  
4.05 Probably not - no such evidence in the genus Topobea.  
4.06 No evidence of associated pests or pathogens.  
4.07 Probably not -no such evidence in the genus Topobea.  
4.08 Probably not - herbaceous species that inhabits wet habitats.  
4.09 Probably yes - a montane cloud forest species. [No further evidence regarding light requirements]. Lumer, C. 2000. The reproductive biology of Blakea and Topobea (Melastomaceae) in Monteverde. Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest. Eds. Nadkarni, N and  Wheelwright, N. T. Oxford University Press. New York. Page 273.
4.1 No evidence regarding soil requirements.  
4.11 (1)A semiparasitic shrub (2)Rampant epiphyte.  (3)Tree 10-25 ft tall.  (4)Woody vine (1)http://www.myristica.it/foto/21BW24.html  (2)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01391706  (3)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01084195  (4)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01084127
4.12 No evidence.  
5.01 (1)A semiparasitic shrub (2)Rampant epiphyte.  (3)Tree 10-25 ft tall.  (4)Woody vine (1)http://www.myristica.it/foto/21BW24.html  (2)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01391706  (3)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01084195  (4)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=01084127
5.02    
5.03    
5.04    
6.01 Flowering and fruiting specimens collected from Costa Rica http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=00895664
6.02 Probably yes - (1)Specimens collected from Costa Rica were from reproducing populations. (2)"These species of Blakea and Topobea have flexible breeding systems. Because the plants are self compatible they can produce fruits with viable seeds without outcrossing." (1)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=00895664  (2)Lumer, C. 2000. The reproductive biology of Blakea and Topobea (Melastomaceae) in Monteverde. Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest. Eds. Nadkarni, N and  Wheelwright, N. T. Oxford University Press. New York. Page 273.
6.03 Probably not - no evidence of hybridization in the genera Topobea. The reproductive biology of a few Topobea species has been studied in the Monteverde cloud forests in Costa Rica, however there is no report of hybridization.  
6.04 Probably yes - Although the mating system of T. parasitica has not been studied, the reproductive biology of several closely related Topobea species has been studied in the Monteverde cloud forests in Costa Rica. According to this study "These species of Blakea and Topobea have flexible breeding systems. Because they are self compatible they can produce fruits with viable seeds without outcrossing."  
6.05  Probably not - [Pollination has not been studied in the particular species of Topobea parasitica however the reproductive biology of several other closely related species of Topobea has been studied in the Monteverde cloud forests in Costa Rica. According to this study the flowers of Topobea are pollinated by several species of bees.] Lumer, C. 2000. The reproductive biology of Blakea and Topobea (Melastomaceae) in Monteverde. Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest. Eds. Nadkarni, N and  Wheelwright, N. T. Oxford University Press. New York. Page 273.
6.06 No evidence of spread by vegetative means.  
6.07 An herbaceous species, propagated as an ornamental for its flowers, so probably < 4 years.  
7.01 Probably not - based on a web search this species does not seem to be very well known as a cultivated ornamental species as yet. No evidence of it being grown in heavily trafficked areas.  
7.02 Probably yes - attractive flowers - has ornamental value.  
7.03 Probably not - not know to occur or to be grown in or around seed crops.  
7.04 No evidence  
7.05 No evidence  
7.06 (1)Bird dispersed  (2)"The seeds of Blakea and Topobea are dispersed by several species of birds that eat the fruit, which contain several hundred seeds in a sticky matrix that sticks to the birds bills. Birds then wipe their beaks on a branch placing the seeds in position to germinate." (1)http://striweb.si.edu/esp/tesp/details.php?id=1457  (2)Lumer, C. 2000. The reproductive biology of Blakea and Topobea (Melastomaceae) in Monteverde. Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest. Eds. Nadkarni, N and  Wheelwright, N. T. Oxford University Press. New York. Page 273.
7.07 NO evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.  
7.08 Probably yes - bird dispersed.  
8.01 Probably yes - the wet seed cluster is 5 mm in diameter and an individual wet seed is less than 2 mm in length. http://pick4.pick.uga.edu/mp/20p?see=I_SP/0040
8.02 No evidence regarding seed bank formation or seed longevity.  
8.03 No evidence that the species is being controlled for.  
8.04 Don’t know.  
8.05 Don’t know.  

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This page created 26 December 2006