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

Acacia crassicarpa (northern wattle, red wattle, lancewood)

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

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

n

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

n

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

y

3.03

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

n=0

n

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

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

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

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

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

y

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

n

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

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

4

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

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

y

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

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:

7

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

Spreading rapidly in inland Mangaia on open and disturbed areas. Not showing any tendency to invade the native makatea forest [Cook Islands disturbance weed]

http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/PBS/cookislands/details.asp?cols=
5&sp=%3Ci%3EAcacia+crassicarpa%3C%2Fi%3E&nav=%3Fcols%
3D5%26EBG%3DAcacia+crassicarpa%26country%3DxCKx%
26nameset%3Dall%26disp%3Dmain%26lang%3DTraName

1.03

No evidence

2.01

The natural occurrence of A. crassicarpa is in southern New Guinea, north Queensland and on islands in Torres Strait. In its natural habitat the species is found in warm to hot, humid and sub-humid climates in the lowland tropics

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

2.02

2.03

(1)Approximate limits north to south: 8°S to 20°S. The altitudinal range in New Guinea is mainly 20-80 m while in north Queensland it is from near sea level to 150 m with minor occurrences at 700 m above sea level. (2)vigour on poorly drained (3)coastal salt spray (4)Best suited to coastal areas, Found in eucalypt forests in north Queensland as a pioneer and understorey species

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.(2)http://www.ffp.csiro.au/tigr/atrnews/atrnews6.htm#crassicarpa (3)http://ecocrop.fao.org/ (4)http://www.forests.qld.gov.au/qts/treetext.html

2.04

The natural occurrence of A. crassicarpa is in southern New Guinea, north Queensland and on islands in Torres Strait.

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

2.05

(1)Introduced to several countries. (2)ATSC made the first research seed collections of A. crassicarpa in north Queensland in 1981. By 1990 the ATSC had sent out over 500 research seedlots,[very short planting history]

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.ffp.csiro.au/tigr/atrnews/atrnews6.htm#crassicarpa

3.01

Spreading rapidly in inland Mangaia on open and disturbed areas. Not showing any tendency to invade the native makatea forest [Cook Islands disturbance weed]

http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/PBS/cookislands/details.asp?cols=
5&sp=%3Ci%3EAcacia+crassicarpa%3C%2Fi%3E&nav=%3Fcols%
3D5%26EBG%3DAcacia+crassicarpa%26country%3DxCKx%
26nameset%3Dall%26disp%3Dmain%26lang%3DTraName

3.02

Spreading rapidly in inland Mangaia on open and disturbed areas. Not showing any tendency to invade the native makatea forest [Cook Islands disturbance weed]

http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/PBS/cookislands/details.asp?cols=
5&sp=%3Ci%3EAcacia+crassicarpa%3C%2Fi%3E&nav=%3Fcols%
3D5%26EBG%3DAcacia+crassicarpa%26country%3DxCKx%
26nameset%3Dall%26disp%3Dmain%26lang%3DTraName

3.03

No evidence

3.04

"Several Acacia species are invasive on other Pacific islands, notably A. aulacocarpa (brown salwood, brush ironbark wattle, hickory wattle), A. crassicarpa (northern wattle, Papua New Guinea red wattle) and A. curassavica (redwood). " [not adequately documented; see 3.02 above]

http://www.hear.org/pier/reports/preport.htm

3.05

A. dealbata and A. harpophylla are listed as principal weeds in Australia. A. hebeciadoides is listed a principal weed in Tanzania and A. gerrardi is listed as a principal weed in Zimbabwe.

Holms et al. 1997. An electronic atlas of weeds and invasive species. Version 1.0.

4.01

No evidence

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

4.02

'By comparing the effects of 5% aqueous extracts of nine Acacia species (A. auricumiformis, A. leptocarpa, A. crassicarpa …) on radicle growth of chinese cabbage, alfa alfa and lettuce, we demonstrated that most litter extracts of the aforementioned Acacia species did exhibit inhibitio. ...We conclude that phytotoxicity of Acacia species varies with test speceis and the inhibition is usually higher in leaves than in litter.' [lab only]

Journal of Chemical Ecology. 1998. 24(12): 2131 - 2150

4.03

No evidence

4.04

not a fodder

http://ecocrop.fao.org/

4.05

No evidence

4.06

(1) Pests recorded
Insect pests:
Platypus [1]
Sinoxylon
Fungus diseases:
Botryodiplodia theobromae [2]
Capnodis [3]
Corticium salmonicolor [4]
Glomerella cingulata [5]
----------------
Footnotes:
1. Ambrosia stem boring beetles.
2. causes basal stem canker
3. sooty mould
4. pink disease
5. causes foliar blight
None of the above were found to be recognized pests.
(2) Atelocauda digitata (a specialist rust fungus causing witch bloom on several Acacia species including A. koa) was recorded on Acacia crassicarpa [not a treatening disease]

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2) http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

No evidence

4.08

(1)Tolerates fire.[an evergreeen shrubby tree; might be fire hazard at high density]

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

4.09

(1)A. crassicarpa is a fast-growing, light-demanding tree (2)Found in eucalypt forests in north Queensland as a pioneer and understorey species

(1)CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.forests.qld.gov.au/qts/treetext.html

4.1

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

4.11

Probably not - not a vine.

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

4.12

No evidence

5.01

5.02

5.03

It is a nitrogen-fixing tree that produces abundant natural root nodulation.

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

5.04

6.01

In its natural habitat the main flowering period is April to June during the first dry and relatively cool months of the year

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

6.02

The recommended temperature for optimum germination is 25°C or 30°C; seedlings germinate after five days and all viable seeds germinate by day 25

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

6.03

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

6.04

The mating system of A. crassicarpa is predominantly outcrossing as it has very high estimates for outcrossing rates with little evidence of selfing

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

6.05

Pollination in species of Acacia is normally by insects and a single pod of A. crassicarpa may contain up to 16 seeds.

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

6.06

A. crassicarpa is usually propagated from seed. No evidence of spread by vegetative means in the wild.

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

6.07

A. crassicarpa becomes reproductively active at 4-5 years of age

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

7.01

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

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

7.02

it is valued as a for its wood for the purposes of industrial forestry.

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

7.03

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

7.04

Pods are resinous, dull brown, oblong to narrowly oblong, straight, woody, usually flat, 3-12 cm long, 1-4.5 cm wide, dehiscing along the ventral suture…' This suggests that dispersal is probably by gravity. No evidence of seeds being winged.

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

7.05

Inhabits moist lowland gallery forests [possibly pods are dispersed by water]

http://www.forests.qld.gov.au/qts/treetext.html

7.06

(1)Pods are resinous, dull brown, oblong to narrowly oblong, straight, woody, usually flat, 3-12 cm long, 1-4.5 cm wide, dehiscing along the ventral suture…' (2)seed does not readily separate from the pod

(1) CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.ffp.csiro.au/tigr/atscmain/whatwedo/publications/opmanual/collection.pdf

7.07

seed does not readily separate from the pod [no means of attachement]

http://www.ffp.csiro.au/tigr/atscmain/whatwedo/publications/opmanual/collection.pdf

7.08

hard seed coat, resinous pods presumed consumption by large mammals

http://www.ffp.csiro.au/tigr/atscmain/whatwedo/publications/opmanual/collection.pdf

8.01

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

8.02

(2) AB: Studies were conducted in 1998 to improve germination in two acacia species, namely, Acacia crassicarpa and A. mangium at the National Pulses Research Centre, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, India. Mature pods were collected from seven-year-old trees and seeds were extracted by manual shelling and sown after inundating them with hot (80 deg C) and cold (26 deg C) water, in polypots filled with nursery mixture. Germination and related attributes were evaluated. The results revealed that inundating seeds of both species with hot water enhanced germination and related attributes. Germination increased by five folds in A. crassicarpa and six folds in A. mangium. Inundating seeds with cold water showed a poor germination of only 15%. The germination indices, namely, germination value, germination energy and germination relative index, were also high in see

(2) Swaminathan, C. Swarnapiria, R. (2001) Improving germination in two Australian acacias. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 2001, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 364-368, 15 ref.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

In Papua New Guinea A. crassicarpa has been noted as a vigorous coloniser of degraded soils following slash-and-burn cultivation

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

8.05

Atelocauda digitata (a specialist rust fungi causing witch bloom on several Acacia species including A. koa) was recorded on Acacia crassicarpa

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm