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 parramattensis (syn. Racosperma parramattensis (Tind.)Pedley ); Parrmatta green wattle, Sydney green wattle, South Wales wattle

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

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

n

3.04

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

n=0

n

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

y

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

y

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

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

3

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

y

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

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:

9

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

Naturalized in Hawaii (Oahu ahd Molokai)

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. University fo Hawaii Press. Honolulu

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Distribution: New South Wales. (2)Native to Australia

(1)http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-parramattensis.html (2)http://users.bigpond.net.au/macarthuraps/local_native_plants_for_the_maca.htm

2.02

2.03

(1)Cultivation: Very frost hardy, fast growing tree in most situations. Special horticultural attributes: Frost hardy will tolerate frosts to -7 C (2)Distribution: in New South Wales on the central coast and tablelands, extending to the south coast and southern tablelands and the central western slopes in eucalypt forest and woodlands, often on heavier soils.

(1)http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-parramattensis.html (2)http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/cgi-bin/euctax.pl?/PlantNet/wattle=&name=Acacia+parramattensis

2.04

(1)Distribution: New South Wales. (2)Native to Australia

(1)http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-parramattensis.html (2)http://users.bigpond.net.au/macarthuraps/local_native_plants_for_the_maca.htm

2.05

(1)Introduced to Sri Lanka (2) Chile (3) Subtropica China

3.01

Naturalized in Hawaii (Oahu ahd Molokai)

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. University fo Hawaii Press. Honolulu

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

on the list of "Invasive Species of Concern" [no information]

http://www.hear.org/oisc/pdfs/oisc20022003strategicactionplan-illustrated-screen.pdf

3.05

A. mearnsii is a serious pest along river banks in South Africa.

New, T.R. 1984. A Biology of Acacias. Oxford University Press. New York.

4.01

No evidence

http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb/6.00/taxa/16284.shtml

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know

4.05

No evidence

4.06

(1) The fungus Uromycladium notabile was found to be associated with A. parramattensis.
(2) Uromycladium notabile is a specialist attacks several Acacia sspecies, and was considered of economic importance.

(1) http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm
(2) http://www.forestresearch.co.nz/PDF/Path15UromycladiumrustsofAcacia.pdf

4.07

No evidence

4.08

(1)Ability to tolerate low intensity fires. [a large shrub/small tree; could be a fire hazard if high densities]

4.09

(1)Habitat; Open Forests (2)open sunny position

(1)http://www.organicmatters.com.au/acacia-parram.htm (2)http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/tree_replacement_small.htm

4.1

(1)This wattle grows to about 8m high, in woodland on dry shallow sandy or clay soils. (2)Will grow in most soils and conditions

(1)http://users.bigpond.net.au/folcnp/flowering/Acacia%20parramattensis.htm (2)http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/tree_replacement_small.htm

4.11

Not climbing

http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb/6.00/taxa/16284.shtml

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Medium-sized tree to 16 m with dark green bipinnate leaves and fine leaflets.

http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-parramattensis.html

5.02

5.03

on a list of nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs

http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/nftlist.htm

5.04

6.01

In their natural habitat, species in the "Black Wattle" group such as Acacia parramattensis are subject to attack by borers. Without this control, this and other species have become weeds overseas.

http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/weeds.html

6.02

Propagation: From scarified seed or boiling water treatment [legume seeds showing dormancy]

http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-parramattensis.html

6.03

No evidence

6.04

No evidence

6.05

Picture of flowers indicates generalist insect syndrome

http://www.anbg.gov.au/images/photo_cd/301610241330/008.html

6.06

Propagation by seed.

http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-parramattensis.html

6.07

Quick Growing [minimum estimate for a fast growing large shrub / small tree]

http://www.organicmatters.com.au/acacia-parram.htm

7.01

Legume: linear, 60--110 mm long, 3.5--7.5 mm wide, clothed with fine appressed hairs; seeds longitudinal in pod, funicle short, arilate.

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/cgi-bin/euctax.pl?/PlantNet/wattle=&name=Acacia+parramattensis

7.02

Fang, GuiGan; Wang, JingXia; Liu, GuangLiang (1995) Kraft pulping properties of Acacia spp. introduced from Australia. Chemistry and Industry of Forest Products, 1995, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 50-56, 10 ref.

7.03

Legume: linear, 60--110 mm long, 3.5--7.5 mm wide, clothed with fine appressed hairs; seeds longitudinal in pod, funicle short, arilate.

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/cgi-bin/euctax.pl?/PlantNet/wattle=&name=Acacia+parramattensis

7.04

(1) ''The seeds are dispersed mostly by being ejected from the legume when it opens, usually under the influence of the hot sun. In some cases the seeds may remain hanging by their red or orange-colored funicles from the open legume, the colored funicle and aril acting as a bird attractant. The birds disperse the seed while its passage through the bird's gut may assist in germination. Emus and Mallee Fowl are also known Acacia seed dispersers.' (2)Bird attracting.

(1)http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/PlantNet/wattle/dispers.html (2)http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/tree_replacement_small.htm

7.05

no evidence

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/PlantNet/wattle/dispers.html

7.06

(1) ''The seeds are dispersed mostly by being ejected from the legume when it opens, usually under the influence of the hot sun. In some cases the seeds may remain hanging by their red or orange-colored funicles from the open legume, the colored funicle and aril acting as a bird attractant. The birds disperse the seed while its passage through the bird's gut may assist in germination. Emus and Mallee Fowl are also known Acacia seed dispersers.' (2)Bird attracting. (3)Attracts birds

(1)http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/PlantNet/wattle/dispers.html (2)http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/tree_replacement_small.htm (3)http://www.cboc.org.au/birdscaping.html

7.07

Legume: linear, 60--110 mm long, 3.5--7.5 mm wide, clothed with fine appressed hairs; seeds longitudinal in pod, funicle short, arilate. [no evidence of means of external attachement]

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/cgi-bin/euctax.pl?/PlantNet/wattle=&name=Acacia+parramattensis

7.08

hard seed coat

http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-parramattensis.html

8.01

seeds 4-8 mm long, 3-6 mm wide [but don't know how many per pode]

Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. University fo Hawaii Press. Honolulu

8.02

Propagation: From scarified seed or boiling water treatment [legume seeds showing dormancy]

http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-parramattensis.html

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

(1) Fire is a common source of change for the plant species of Mediterranean-type ecosystems, but little is known about the comparative effects of different fire intensities. Accordingly, 9 species of small trees (Acacia binervia, Acacia implexa, Acacia parramattensis, Casuarina littoralis [Allocasuarina littoralis], Casuarina torulosa [Allocasuarina torulosa], Hakea sericea, Jacksonia scoparia, Leptospermum trinervium, Persoonia linearis) were studied 1 yr after each of 2 low-intensity prescribed fires and a high-intensity wildfire at a dry sclerophyllous forest site in the outer western region of the Sydney metropolitan area, Australia. All of the species except H. sericea proved to be at least partly tolerant of the low-intensity fires (40-80% of their stems surviving the fires), but only C. torulosa, L. trinervium and P. linearis were tolerant of the high-intensity fire (20-30% stem survival).
(2) "Burns carried out in the following Autumn produced large numbers of regenerating Acacia parramattensis and

(2) http://www.nccnsw.org.au/bushland/reference/mbrw/mbrw06.html

8.05

Don’t know