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.