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

Aechmea blanchetiana (Baker) L.B. Smith; orange blanchetiana

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

n

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

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

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

n

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

y

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

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

y

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

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

n

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

0

Notes

Source

1.01

Two, lime and orange color varieties are listed.

http://www.volcano-orchid-farms.com/f_brom.html

1.02

No evidence

1.03

No evidence

2.01

It occurs along the Atlantic coast of Brazil growing terrestrially in the sand behind the dunes. It also grows into the surrounding rainforest as an epiphyte.

http://www.plant.id.au/guide_view.aspx?id=57

2.02

2.03

USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 [tropical epiphyte or due plant]

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

2.04

2.05

(1) Introduced to Australia (2) For sale in Japan (3) Florida

(1) http://www.plant.id.au/guide_view.aspx?id=57 (2) http://pineapple-net.jp/market_bromeliad.htm (3) http://www.nursery-report.com/Search/Default.asp

3.01

No evidence

3.02

Problems include scales and mosquitoes which may breedin the trapped water in the leaves. [these are planted deliberately, so not considered a weed]

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

3.03

No evidence

3.04

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

3.05

No evidence

4.01

Leaf margin: spiny

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know [probably susceptible since it is often an epiphyte]

4.05

No evidence

4.06

No evidence

4.07

No evidence

4.08

a bromeliad of moist environments

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

4.09

(1)Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun (2)prefers partial shade or partial sun

(1)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en (2)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

4.1

Soil tolerances: slightly alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

4.11

No evidence

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Bromeliaceae

5.02

Bromeliaceae

5.03

Bromeliaceae

5.04

perennial; herbaceous bromeliad

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

6.01

No evidence

6.02

Propagation is by division of the offsets or by seed

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

6.03

[reference to a potential hybrid, but no evidence of natural hybridization]

http://d3684183.u30.infinology.com/pictures/unknown/unknown27.htm

6.04

No information

6.05

In the wild this plant is pollinated by nectar feeding birds.

http://www.plant.id.au/guide_view.aspx?id=57

6.06

(1)Propagation is by division of the offsets or by seed (2)As the plant matures it will produce 5 to 7 pups. These can be removed to start new plants easily when they are about a third the size of the parent plant.

(1)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en (2)http://www.plant.id.au/guide_view.aspx?id=57

6.07

Don’t know

7.01

no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.02

(1) One of the most ornamental landscape Bromeliads … The floral display of Aechmea blanchetiana is both spectacular and long lasting. The buds appear in the new year and when mature the flower spike can get up to two meters tall. The thin heavily branched inflorescence is a combination of red and yellow. (2)Uses: mass planting; container or above-ground planter; groundcover; suitable for growing indoors

(1)http://www.plant.id.au/guide_view.aspx?id=57 (2)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DFOllc0gzjEJ:hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/AECBLAA.PDF+Aechmea+blanchetiana&hl=en

7.03

no evidence

7.04

'In Australia the Noisy Miners are happy to drink the nectar and in turn pollinate the small yellow day flowers. This will in time produce a small purple berry. '

http://www.plant.id.au/home/guide_view.aspx?id=57

7.05

No evidence that the species inhabits waterways.

7.06

'In Australia the Noisy Miners are happy to drink the nectar and in turn pollinate the small yellow day flowers. This will in time produce a small purple berry. '

http://www.plant.id.au/home/guide_view.aspx?id=57

7.07

No evidence that the propagules have any means of attachmentl

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

[Based on photos of inflorescences, relatively few berries and unlikely to exceed 1000 seeds per m2]

http://www.fcbs.org/images/BergCage/a_blanchetiana2_wb1.jpg

8.02

No evidence regarding seedbank.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

Don’t know

8.05

Don’t know