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

Antigonon leptopus (Mexican creeper)

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

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

y

3.04

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

n=0

y

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

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

n

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

n

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

y

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

y

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

n

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

2

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

y

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

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

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:

19

Source

Notes

1.01

Did not find any evidence that this species is a cultivar.

1.02

Sparingly naturalized in disturbed areas in Hawaii. (2) It is considered a minor environmental weed on Christmas Island. '…rampant on sea and inland cliffs and in previously mined areas …where it may be hampering the annual migration of crabs and interfering with natural regeneration.'

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2) Swarbrick J. T. and Hart R. 2000. ;Environmental weeds of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) and their management. Plant Protection Quaterly vol 16(2):54-57

1060 (2) 56

1.03

Did not find any evidence that the species has weedy sub-species, varieties or cultivars.

2.01

It is native to Mexico and is considered pantropic.

Aluri, R. S. J., V. R. Kanaka, P. Victor & A. Naidu. 2001.Floral ecology, breeding system and pollination in Antigonon leptopus L. (Polygonaceae). Plant species biology. Vol 16: 159-164.

2.02

Native to Mexico and introduced in tropical parts of Asia and Africa, and also in Hawaii.

(1) Aluri, R. S. J., V. R. Kanaka, P. Victor & A. Naidu. 2001.Floral ecology, breeding system and pollination in Antigonon leptopus L. (Polygonaceae). Plant species biology. Vol 16: 159-164. (2) Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

2.03

Hardy from USDA Zone 9 to USDA Zone 10

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/2050.html

2.04

It is native to Mexico and is naturalized in (1) Hawaii and the (2) Christmas Island.

(1) Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2) Swarbrick J. T. and Hart R. 2000. ;Environmental weeds of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) and their management. Plant Protection Quaterly vol 16(2):54-57

(1)1060 (2)56

2.05

Has been introduced to Hawaii, Guam, Christmas islands, India, Philippines

(1)Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2) Cronk, Q. C. B. & J. L. Fuller. 1995. Plant invaders. Chapman and Hall. London. (3) Swarbrick, J. T. & R. Hart. 2001. Environmental weeds of Christmas island (Indiam Ocean)and their management.Plant protection quaterly. V16 (2): 54-57. (4) Oommachan M. 1977. The flora of Bhopal. J. K. Jain brothers. Bhopal. India. (5) Merrill, E. D. 1925. An enumeration of Philippine flowering plants. Vol 1.Manila bureau of printing.

(1)1061 (2)139 (3) Abstract (4)330 (5)125

3.01

It is native to Mexico and is naturalized in (1) Hawaii and the (2) Christmas Island.

(1) Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2) Swarbrick J. T. and Hart R. 2000. ;Environmental weeds of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) and their management. Plant Protection Quaterly vol 16(2):54-57

(1)1060 (2)56

3.02

Aluri, R. S. J., V. R. Kanaka, P. Victor & A. Naidu. 2001.Floral ecology, breeding system and pollination in Antigonon leptopus L. (Polygonaceae). Plant species biology. Vol 16: 159-164.

159

3.03

'It is considered to be a serious pest for many cultivated plants in anthropogenic habitats in India.'

Aluri, R. S. J., V. R. Kanaka, P. Victor & A. Naidu. 2001.Floral ecology, breeding system and pollination in Antigonon leptopus L. (Polygonaceae). Plant species biology. Vol 16: 159-164.

159

3.04

It is considered a minor environmental weed on Christmas Island. '…rampant on sea and inland cliffs and in previously mined areas …where it may be hampering the annual migration of crabs and interfering with natural regeneration.' 3)Category II environmental weed Florida

Swarbrick J. T. and Hart R. 2000. ;Environmental weeds of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) and their management. Plant Protection Quaterly vol 16(2):54-57 3)http://www.fleppc.org/99list.htm

56

3.05

Did not find any evidence of a congeneric weed.

4.01

Does not produces spines, thorns or burrs.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

1060

4.02

Did not find any evidence of it being allelopathic.

4.03

Did not find any evidence that the species is parasitic.

4.04

Browsed by deer

http://www.npsot.org/plant_lists/deer_resistant.html

4.05

Did not find any evidence of its toxicity

4.06

Did not come across any reference to it being a host for economically important pests.

4.07

Did not find any evidence of it being toxic to humans. The tubers are edible and are valued in the native area for the nutlike flavor.

Menninger, E. A. 1970. Flowering vines of the world. Hearthside pres incorporated. New York.

279

4.08

Don’t know. Grows over other plants but normally drops dying leaves quickly

4.09

(1) 'From Mexico comes a sun loving vine with …' (2)Requires full sun to half sun.3) Full sun

(1)Neil, M. C. 1965. In gardens of Hawaii. Bishop museum press. (2) Plant master 5.5 CDRom. 3)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_MG097

329

4.1

Sand, loam and rocky -unparticular of soil type. pH neutral 2) Favors limestone (basic) soils

Plant Master 5.5 CDROM 2)http://www.hear.org/pier/anlep.htm

4.11

(1)It is a climbing plant. -'Whether herbaceous or woody, in tropical areas it becomes rampant and vigorous covering tree, buildings, banks or fields.' (2)Smothering vine

(1) Menninger, E. A. 1970. Flowering vines of the world. Hearthside pres incorporated. New York. (2)http://www.hear.org/pier/anlep.htm

279

4.12

no reports of dense monocultures

Menninger, E. A. 1970. Flowering vines of the world. Hearthside pres incorporated. New York.

279

5.01

5.02

5.03

5.04

'Climbing vine from an enlarged tuber-like root.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

1060

6.01

Did not find evidence on reproductive failure in the native habitat.

6.02

No evidence of nonviability of seeds.

6.03

No information

6.04

'…the flowers have a staminate phase on the first day and pistillate phase on the second day; they are completely protandrous.' 'The floral sexual behavior precludes selfing within the same flower.' A few pistillate flowers might be open when the staminate flowers. This temporal dioecy in the mating system is suggested to facilitate cross pollination when pollinators are present and self pollination when pollinators are absent. However during their experiment the authors observed that both self and cross pollination were obligately dependent on pollinator activity.

Aluri, R. S. J., V. R. Kanaka, P. Victor & A. Naidu. 2001.Floral ecology, breeding system and pollination in Antigonon leptopus L. (Polygonaceae). Plant species biology. Vol 16: 159-164.

160 & 163

6.05

A variety of insects like bees and thrips are known to pollinate it.

Aluri, R. S. J., V. R. Kanaka, P. Victor & A. Naidu. 2001.Floral ecology, breeding system and pollination in Antigonon leptopus L. (Polygonaceae). Plant species biology. Vol 16: 159-164.

161

6.06

'Antigonon leptopus is also capable of thriving by vegetative reproduction. The dual reproductive behavior exhibited by A. leptopus is an adaptation for its survival as a successful weed in tropical latitudes'

Aluri, R. S. J., V. R. Kanaka, P. Victor & A. Naidu. 2001.Floral ecology, breeding system and pollination in Antigonon leptopus L. (Polygonaceae). Plant species biology. Vol 16: 159-164.

Abstract

6.07

R. Criley UH Department of Horticulture, personal communication

7.01

The propagules do not have any means of attaching and hence less likely to be dispersed unintentionally.

7.02

The species is an attractive ornamental vine and hence it is likely to be intentionally dispersed.

7.03

'It is considered to be a serious pest for many cultivated plants in anthropogenic habitats in India.' Also the seeds are small and hence it is likely to be introduced as a produce contaminant.

Aluri, R. S. J., V. R. Kanaka, P. Victor & A. Naidu. 2001.Floral ecology, breeding system and pollination in Antigonon leptopus L. (Polygonaceae). Plant species biology. Vol 16: 159-164.

159

7.04

achene contains small, angled seeds but not clear if they have adapations for wind dispersal.

7.05

'Seeds float on water, which helps transport them to new locations.'

http://www.hear.org/pier/anlep.htm

7.06

'Fruits and seeds are eaten and spread by domestic and wild animals (birds, pigs).'

http://www.hear.org/pier/anlep.htm

7.07

Did not find any reference on seed dispersal

7.08

'Fruits and seeds are eaten and spread by domestic and wild animals (birds, pigs).'

http://www.hear.org/pier/anlep.htm

8.01

"Prolific seed producer" but few seeds per fruit

http://www.hear.org/pier/anlep.htm

8.02

Don’t know.

8.03

Did not find any reference on control measures for this species.

8.04

Geophyte-- Cutting alone is ineffective. Underground tubers must be removed or plants will re-sprout.

http://www.hear.org/pier/anlep.htm

8.05

No evidence.