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 fasciata (Lindl.) Baker (urn plant, silver vase plant, Aechmea) ; Billbergia fasciata

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

y

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

6

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

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

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

n

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

n

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:

2

Notes

Source

1.01

It is the symbol of the Brazilian Bromeliad Society and one of the Bromeliads which is in cultivation since more that 150 years [but the cultivated form still appears nearly identitical to the wild form shown in the photo; no evidence for human alteration of the species' natural life history]

http://www.charlies-web.com/other_pics/txx13.html

1.02

No evidence

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Origin: Brazil (2)Aechmea fasciata is an epiphytic Bromeliad from Brazil.

(1)http://www.plantfacts.com/Family/Bromeliaceae/Aechmea.fasciata.shtml (2)http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week002.shtml

2.02

2.03

(1)10B - 11 (2)USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8° C (25° F), USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1°C (30° F), USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C (35° F), USDA Zone 11: above 4.5° (40° F) [an epiphyte of tropical rainforests]

(1)http://www.horticopia.com/hortpix/html/pc225.htm (2)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/64307/

2.04

(1)Origin: Brazil (2)Aechmea fasciata is an epiphytic Bromeliad from Brazil.

(1)http://www.plantfacts.com/Family/Bromeliaceae/Aechmea.fasciata.shtml (2)http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week002.shtml

2.05

(1)One of the most widely grown houseplants in the bromeliad family. Cultivated in Europe since 1826 (2)Introduced to California, Florida and Alabama in the U.S.

http://anwyl.com/photopages/aechmea/aechmea_fasciata.htm

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:a0ndDbA5xxsJ:hort.ifas.
ufl.edu/shrubs/AECFASA.PDF+Aechmea+fasciata&hl=en

3.05

No evidence

4.01

p.273 " Leaf tip widely rounded but with a 4 mm long spine; margins with small brown to 4mm long spines."

Rauh, W. (1979) Bromeliads for home, garden and greenhouse. Blandford Press Ltd. Poole, Dorset, U.K. 431 pp.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know [probably not, an epiphyte]

4.05

No evidence

4.06

Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:a0ndDbA5xxsJ:hort.ifas.
ufl.edu/shrubs/AECFASA.PDF+Aechmea+fasciata&hl=en

4.07

No evidence

4.08

an evergreen bromeliad.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:a0ndDbA5xxsJ:hort.ifas.
ufl.edu/shrubs/AECFASA.PDF+Aechmea+fasciata&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:a0ndDbA5xxsJ:hort.ifas.
ufl.edu/shrubs/AECFASA.PDF+Aechmea+fasciata&hl=en (2)http://www.horticopia.com/hortpix/html/pc225.htm

4.1

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

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:a0ndDbA5xxsJ:hort.ifas.
ufl.edu/shrubs/AECFASA.PDF+Aechmea+fasciata&hl=en

4.11

No evidence

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Bromeliaceae

5.02

Bromeliaceae

5.03

Bromeliaceae

5.04

(1)Growth Habits: Up to 2 feet tall clustering rosettes (2)perennial; herbaceous bromeliad (3)The rosettes of all bromeliads die after flowering. They are therefore disposable plants, which may be placed in any position because while they are flowering the foliage is already dying

(1)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Bromeliaceae/Aechmea_fasciata.html (2)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:a0ndDbA5xxsJ:hort.ifas.
ufl.edu/shrubs/AECFASA.PDF+Aechmea+fasciata&hl=en (3)http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/1053.htm

6.01

(1)Most Bromeliads will flower naturally when they reach maturity (2)Flowering occurs from early spring into late summer.

(1)http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week002.shtml (2)http://www.flowers-power.com/indoor/aechmea_fasciata.html

6.02

The propagation is either by seeds or pup.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Bromeliaceae/Aechmea_fasciata.html

6.03

(1)A new and distinct Aechema hybrid cultivar obtained by crossing (Aechmea Fasciata X Aechema serrata) with Aechema serrata, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized as to novelty by the unique combination of the spineless habit of the leaves, and a large, upright, heavily-branched inflorescence bright rose in color, which stays in color for several months. (2) A new plant variety of the Bromeliaceae family was developed as an inter-specific cross between Aechmea dichlamydea Baker var. trinitensis L. B. Smith and A. fasciata (Lindley) Baker var. fasciata and generally resembles the parent varieties but has leaves that lack the bars of the var. fasciata and have leaf sheaths that are wider, the scape bracts being less compactly positioned than those of the var. fasciata thus providing a more open inflorescence while the sepals exceed the floral bracts and provide a more attractive inflorescence. In contract to the var. trinitensis the leaf scales are whitish and translucent and the spiked a

(1)TI: Aechmea hybrid 'Eileen'. AU:DeLeon, N SO:Plant patent - United States patent and Trademark Office. Mar 17, 1992. (7833) 2 p. plates (2)TI: Bromeliaceae plant. AU: Bullis, HR Jr SO: Plant patent - United States Patent and Trademark Office. Aug 8, 1989. (6979) 7 p. plates

6.04

AB: " Aechmea fasciata was inter-compatible and, in part, self-compatible. The self-incompatibility index of A. fasciata decreased from 28% to 4% toward the end of the flowering period. Homomorphic gametophytic self-incompatibility is proposed for A. chantinii and for Tillandsia cyanea."

TI: Flower biology of six cultivars of the Bromeliaceae II. Pollination and fertilization. AU: Vervaeke,-I [Author,-Reprint-Author]; Delen,-R [Author]; Wouters,-J [Author]; Deroose,-R [Author]; De-Proft,-M-P [Author] SO: Selbyana-. 2003; 4(1): 87-94.

6.05

p.263 "In their native habitat the strong nectar of the flowers attracts hummingbirds who thus pollinate the plants" [chracteristics of the genus]

Rauh, W. (1979) Bromeliads for home, garden and greenhouse. Blandford Press Ltd. Poole, Dorset, U.K. 431 pp.

6.06

(1)Propagation:- Offsets. after flowering many shoot(new plants) may be produced, these can be removed and potted into their own pots. (2)Propagation: After flowering, Bromeliads produce side shoots (offsets), which may be removed while young and rooted for additional plants.

(1)http://www.plantfacts.com/Family/Bromeliaceae/Aechmea.fasciata.shtml (2)http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week002.shtml

6.07

Seeds are much slower and they might take 6 to 8 years to bloom. Pups take much less time from over a year to 3 years.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Bromeliaceae/Aechmea_fasciata.html

7.01

No evidence

7.02

This exotic plant has green and white marbled foliage and pink blossoms. Makes a stunning gift for any occasion.

http://www.nextag.com/buyer/outpdir.jsp?nxtg=4dc845_EC54659
EC5ED008C&node=2700023+2702400&search=aechmea+fasciata

7.03

Potted plants are commonly given as gifts (product), which may accidentally distribute seeds, but most of these never produce mature seeds]

7.04

p.263 "The inferior ovary develops to form a ripe, pulpy, frequently brilliantly colored berry" [chracteristics of the genus]

Rauh, W. (1979) Bromeliads for home, garden and greenhouse. Blandford Press Ltd. Poole, Dorset, U.K. 431 pp.

7.05

No evidence

7.06

p.263 "The inferior ovary develops to form a ripe, pulpy, frequently brilliantly colored berry" [chracteristics of the genus]

Rauh, W. (1979) Bromeliads for home, garden and greenhouse. Blandford Press Ltd. Poole, Dorset, U.K. 431 pp.

7.07

p.102 "Seeds of Bromelioideae reportedly lack appendages, and the outer integument simply degenerate to augment the gelatinous pulp that fills much of the often tough husk of the ripe berry. Seeds in some cases possess unique qualities thet seem likely to encourage transport or adhesion to substrates, perhaps in the second instance acting like the viscin threads of some mistletoes."

Benzing, D.H. (2000) Bromeliaceae: Profile of an adaptive radiation. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, U.K. 690pp.

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

(1)Fruit shape: no fruitFruit length: no fruitFruit cover: no fruitFruit color: not applicableFruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy (2)[based on photos from this genus, too few berries to produce 1000 seeds per m2]

(1)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:a0ndDbA5xxsJ:hort.ifas.
ufl.edu/shrubs/AECFASA.PDF+Aechmea+fasciata&hl=en (2)http://fcbs.org/images/BergCage/a_penduliflora1_wb.jpg

8.02

"Germination after 8 to 10 days " [no indication of dormancy]

http://www.kulturberichte.de/E_topfpflanzenkulturen/aechmea/Eaechmea.htm

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

Don’t know [unlikely; a slow growing thick-leaved plant and a weak-rooted epiphye]

8.05

Don’t know