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

Averrhoa carambola (starfruit, carambola)

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

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

y

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

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

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

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

n

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

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

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

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:

-1

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

'Cultivated and run wild in tropical India.' [No other references that the species has naturalized in regions where it has been introduced.]

Brandis, D. 1907. Indian Trees. Archibald Constable and Co Ltd.

1.03

No evidence

2.01

The carambola is classified as subtropical because mature trees can tolerate temperatures as low as 27° F for short periods of time with little damage.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/carambola.html

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness zones 10B to 11.(2)It suits the lowlands but will grow up to 1200 m altitude. (3)It thrives up to an elevation of 4,000 ft (1,200 m) in India

(1)Plant Master 5.5. CD ROM database. (2)http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=483 (3)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/carambola.html

2.04

(1) Native to the Malay region. (2)originated in Ceylon and the Moluccas

(1)Horticopia Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. CD-ROM database. (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/carambola.html

2.05

The carambola is believed to have originated in Ceylon and the Moluccas but it has been cultivated in southeast Asia and Malaysia for many centuries. It is commonly grown in the provinces of Fukien, Kuangtung and Kuangsi in southern China, in Taiwan and India. It is rather popular in the Philippines and Queensland, Australia, and moderately so in some of the South Pacific islands, particularly Tahiti, New Caledonia and Netherlands New Guinea, and in Guam and Hawaii.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/carambola.html#Description

3.01

'Cultivated and run wild in tropical India.' [No other references that the species has naturalized in regions where it has been introduced.]

Brandis, D. 1907. Indian Trees. Archibald Constable and Co Ltd.

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

Trunk has no thorns.

Horticopia Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. CD-ROM database.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

No information

4.05

No evidence

4.06

(1)This site lists 15 species of fungi to be associated with A. carambola. (2)The fruit is subject to fruit fly, fruit moths and fruit spotting bugs in those areas having these infestations. [Google search did not reveal that the above fungi are recognized pathogens.]

(1)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm (2)http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/carambola.html

4.07

(1) No evidence of the plant being allergic or toxic to healthy people (with no renal failure). (2) 'We observed six cases of patients in a dialysis programme who were apparently intoxicated by ingestion of star fruit. After ingestion of 2-3 fruits or 150-200 ml of the fruit juice, the six patients, who had previously been stable in a regular dialysis programme, developed a variety of symptoms ranging from insomnia and hiccups to agitation, mental confusion and (in one case) death. In preliminary investigations to characterize the hypothetical neurotoxin in the fruit, an extract, when injected intraperitoneally or intracerebroventricularly in rats, provoked persistent convulsions of the tonic-clonic type. It appears that star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) contains an excitatory neurotoxin. Patients with renal failure on conservative or dialysis treatment should be dissuaded from ingestion of the fruit.' (3)The purpose of this article is to report that patients with renal failure who ingest star fruit may dev

4.08

No information regarding fire ecology.

4.09

(1)Partial shade to full sun. (2)prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun (3)The tree needs full sun.

(1)Horticopia Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. CD-ROM database. (2)http://www.hortpix.com/pc624.htm (3)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/carambola.html

4.1

(1)Clay, sandy, loam, well drained soils. (2)pH tolerance acidic and slightly alkaline (3)It is often chlorotic on limestone

(1)Horticopia Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. CD-ROM database. (2)Plant Master 5.5. CD ROM database (3)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/carambola.html

4.11

No evidence - not a vine.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

A small tree up to 12 m tall.

http://www.ecoport.org/EP.exe$EntPage?ID=483

5.02

5.03

5.04

6.01

No evidence

6.02

Seeds lose viability in a few days after removal from fruit.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/carambola.html

6.03

Only one congener, A. bilimbi, and no reports of hybridization with A. carambola, despite intensive efforts to improve both species through breeding.

6.04

The flowers are self-incompatible.

http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/book/chap9/carambola.html

6.05

(1)The flowers are self-incompatible, and not wind pollinated; therefore, insects are necessary in the production of fruit (Knight 1965). Honey bees visit the flowers freely. Nand (1971 ) stated that honey bees, flies, and other insects are the chief pollinating agents of this completely cross-pollinated plant. (2)' Carambola flowers, which are distylous (pin and thrum flowers on separate trees), were visited by many Apis cerana and Trigona thoracica at Serdang, Malaysia. Both species preferred pin trees in the early morning, and thrum trees during the rest of day. ...In another orchard, an increase in the number of colonies from 2 to 4 resulted in a 2-fold increase in the year's fruit production. '

(1)http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/book/chap9/carambola.html (2) Phoon, A. C. G. 1984. Pollination and fruit production of carambola, Averrhoa carambola, in Malaysia. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Apiculture in Tropical Climates, Nairobi, Kenya, 5-9 November.129-133

6.06

Propagation: Cuttings, air-layering, or seeds. No evidence that it reproduces vegetatively in the wild.

http://www.floridagardener.com/pom/Carambola.htm

6.07

Seedlings have been known to bear in 3 years

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500347.html

7.01

Seeds are relatively large (1/4 to 1/2 inch long) and do not have any means of attachment.

7.02

(1)Attractive bloom and fruits. (2)Showy flowers. The fruits of the plant are much relished by people - hence more likely to be introduced intentionally.

(1)Horticopia Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. CD-ROM database. (2)Plant Master 5.5. CD ROM database

7.03

Seeds relatively large 1/4 - 1/2 inch long or none at all and loose viability in a few days after removal from fruit.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/carambola.html

7.04

7.05

7.06

(1)Fruit attracts birds, squirrels/mammals. (2bird damage can be a problem

(1)Plant Master 5.5. CD ROM database (2) Campbell, C. A. 1989.Storage and handling of Florida carambola. Proceedings of the Interamerican Society for Tropical Horticulture, , Vol.33, pp.79-82

7.07

ne means of attachment

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

There may be up to 12 flat, thin brown seeds 1/4 - 1/2 inch long or none at all.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/carambola.html

8.02

Seeds lose viability in a few days after removal from fruit.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/carambola.html

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

No information

8.05

Don’t know.