Brownea macrophylla Linden Family - Fabaceae. Common Names(s) - Panama flame, rouge puff. Synonym(s) - Brownea macbrideana Standl.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

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

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

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?

y=-2, ?=-1, n=0

y

-2

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

0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

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

n=0

n

0

3.05

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

n=0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

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

-1

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

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

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-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

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

-8

Notes

Source

1.01

(1)No evidence

(1)National Research Council. 2002. Tropical Legumes: Resources for the Future. Books for Business, New York - Hong Kong.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Panama and northern South America. In Panama, known only from tropical moist forest in the Canal Zone, Panama and Darien.

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

2.02

(1)Panama and northern South America. In Panama, known only from tropical moist forest in the Canal Zone, Panama and Darien.

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

2.03

(1)Climate: Zones 10, 11...Native to the moist lowlands of tropical America, these are not commonly grown in the United States, except in hothouses. Will not tolerate dry soil. (2)Hardiness: USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

(1)http://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/brownea/brownea_0452.php [Accessed 17 Nov 2009] (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/100162/ [Accessed 17 Nov 2009]

2.04

(1)Panama and northern South America. In Panama, known only from tropical moist forest in the Canal Zone, Panama and Darien.

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

2.05

(1)widely if not commonly cultivated for its large compact clusters of seasonal red-orange flowers that adorn the branches and make it one of the most attractive tropical flowering trees, though the shape of the tree is not that pleasing. (2)slow-growing nature of the species may partially explain the relative scarcity of these plants in tropical regions of the United States

(1)Whistler, A.W. 2000. Tropical Ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, OR (2)Riffle, R. L. 1998. The Tropical Look. An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscape Plants. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

3.01

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinameb.htm [Accessed 17 Nov 2009]

3.02

(1)Non-Invasive Alternative Plant [Brownea macrophylla encouraged as a non-invasive alternative to Bauhinia monandra]

(1)http://www.growmeinstead.com.au/plant/panama-flame-tree.aspx [Accessed 17 Nov 2009]

3.03

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinameb.htm [Accessed 17 Nov 2009]

3.04

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinameb.htm [Accessed 17 Nov 2009]

3.05

(1)Brownea coccinea listed as a weed, but no indication of impacts or control of species.

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/brownea_coccinea/

4.01

(1)No spines, thorns or burrs

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

4.02

(1)A viny tree (it prefers to rest its branches on neighboring trees) of the dense Colombian forest known as the roughe-puff. [no evidence]

(1)National Research Council. 2002. Tropical Legumes: Resources for the Future. Books for Business, New York - Hong Kong.

4.03

(1)Small tree, to 7(10) m tall; young branchlets, petioles, rachises, and petiolules tomentulose. [no evidence]

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

4.04

(1)Table. 2. leaves and flowers consumed by the White-footed Tamarin (Saguinus leucopus)

(1)Cuartas-Calle, C. A. 2001. DISTRIBUCIÓN PARCIAL DEL TITÍ GRIS (SAGUINUS LEUCOPUS, CALLITRICHIDAE) EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA. Neotropical Primates 9(3): 107-111.

4.05

(1)No evidence

4.06

Unknown

4.07

(1)No evidence or mention of toxicity in cultivation

(1)Riffle, R. L. 1998. The Tropical Look. An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscape Plants. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

4.08

(1)A viny tree (it prefers to rest its branches on neighboring trees) of the dense Colombian forest known as the roughe-puff. [unlikely, given wet forest habitat] (2)At blooming time, Brownea macrophylla is one of the most striking features of the foothill belt in the Sambu Valley. In the semidarkness of the dense tropical forest, its erect stems, entirely covered by the red blossoms, and showing for an instant between the trunks of the larger trees, strike the eye of the traveler almost as would lightning. (3)They require shade, protection from drying winds, and fertile, moist soils in order to thrive.

(1)National Research Council. 2002. Tropical Legumes: Resources for the Future. Books for Business, New York - Hong Kong. (2)Pittier, H. 1909. New or noteworthy plants from Colombia and Central America. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. (3)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI

4.09

(1)A viny tree (it prefers to rest its branches on neighboring trees) of the dense Colombian forest known as the roughe-puff. (2)At blooming time, Brownea macrophylla is one of the most striking features of the foothill belt in the Sambu Valley. In the semidarkness of the dense tropical forest, its erect stems, entirely covered by the red blossoms, and showing for an instant between the trunks of the larger trees, strike the eye of the traveler almost as would lightning. (3)They require shade, protection from drying winds, and fertile, moist soils in order to thrive. (4)All species are understorey trees or shrubs of lowland rain forests, occurring from sea level to ca. 1000 m altitude.

(1)National Research Council. 2002. Tropical Legumes: Resources for the Future. Books for Business, New York - Hong Kong. (2)Pittier, H. 1909. New or noteworthy plants from Colombia and Central America. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. (3)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI (4)Klitgaard, B. B. 1991. Ecuadorian Brownea and Browneopsis (Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae) : Taxonomy, palynology , and morphology. Nord. J. Bat. 11 (4): 433-449.

4.10

(1)it grows well in sun to partial shade, and prefers moist, acid soil. (2)Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

(1)http://www.montosogardens.com/brownea_macrophylla.htm [Accessed 17 Nov 2009] (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/100162/ [Accessed 17 Nov 2009]

4.11

(1)Small tree, to 7(10) m tall; young branchlets, petioles, rachises, and petiolules tomentulose. (2)A viny tree (it prefers to rest its branches on neighboring trees) of the dense Colombian forest known as the roughe-puff. [not a true vine, however]

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. (2)National Research Council. 2002. Tropical Legumes: Resources for the Future. Books for Business, New York - Hong Kong.

4.12

(1)Rare, known only from one area along the shore of Bat Cove [no evidence from native range, or cultivation]

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

5.01

(1)Terrestrial

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

5.02

(1)Fabaceae

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

5.03

(1)Fabaceae

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

5.04

(1)Small tree, to 7(10) m tall; young branchlets, petioles, rachises, and petiolules tomentulose.

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

6.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

6.02

(1)Propagate by scarified seeds.

(1)Whistler, A.W. 2000. Tropical Ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, OR

6.03

(1)in some sources Brownea crawfordii is hybrid Brownea grandiceps x macrophylla [Unknown if natural hybrids occur]

(1)http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Brownea_crawfordii.htm [Accessed 17 Nov 2009]

6.04

Unknown

6.05

(1)Brownea species are readily recognized by their large, red, almost globose flower heads, with tubular, nectiferous flowers adapted for hummingbird pollination. (2)The pods, rarely formed in Hawaii, are flat, woody, and dehiscent at maturity. [probably due to specialist pollinator requirements]

(1)Klitgaard, B. B. 1991. Ecuadorian Brownea and Browneopsis (Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae) : Taxonomy, palynology , and morphology. Nord. J. Bat. 11 (4): 433-449. (2)Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI

6.06

(1)Propagate by scarified seeds [no evidence of vegetative spread]

(1)Whistler, A.W. 2000. Tropical Ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, OR

6.07

(1)slow-growing nature of the species may partially explain the relative scarcity of these plants in tropical regions of the United States [slow growth rate, probably 4+ years to reproductive maturity]

(1)Riffle, R. L. 1998. The Tropical Look. An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscape Plants. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

7.01

(1)Legumes flat, slightly turgid, oblong, peaked, to 20 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, brownish-tomentulose when immature, with heavy ridges along both edges; seeds flat, rectangular, 3.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, black. [no means of external attachment]

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

7.02

(1)widely if not commonly cultivated for its large compact clusters of seasonal red-orange flowers that adorn the branches and make it one of the most attractive tropical flowering trees, though the shape of the tree is not that pleasing. (2)The species Brownea coccinea, B. grandiceps, and B. macrophylla are widely used as ornamentals (also in greenhouses of the temperate zone), and B. coccinea, B. grandiceps, B. macrophylla, and B. multijuga are used medicinally by indigenous people of northern South America to treat diseases having to do with the blood (birth control, womens' diseases, and wound healing) (Klitgaard in press).

(1)Whistler, A.W. 2000. Tropical Ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, OR (2)Klitgaard, B. B. 1991. Ecuadorian Brownea and Browneopsis (Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae) : Taxonomy, palynology , and morphology. Nord. J. Bat. 11 (4): 433-449.

7.03

(1)Legumes flat, slightly turgid, oblong, peaked, to 20 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, brownish-tomentulose when immature, with heavy ridges along both edges; seeds flat, rectangular, 3.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, black. [no evidence, and unlikely given large seed size]

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

7.04

(1)Legumes flat, slightly turgid, oblong, peaked, to 20 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, brownish-tomentulose when immature, with heavy ridges along both edges; seeds flat, rectangular, 3.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, black. (2)Mature pods 21-40 X 6-8 cm; seeds 30-42 x 25-35 x 5-15 mm...Dispersal and germination. Seeds germinate under the mother trees [this description is for B. grandiceps. The morphological similarity of B. macrophylla's seed pods suggests similar dispersal pattern...Mature pods 7-17 x 3-3.5 cm; seeds 30-41 X 26-35 x 5-15 mm.]

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. (2)Klitgaard, B. B. 1991. Ecuadorian Brownea and Browneopsis (Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae) : Taxonomy, palynology , and morphology. Nord. J. Bat. 11 (4): 433-449.

7.05

(1)B. macrophylla grows in the understorey of terra firme, virzea, and igapa rain forests. [although large seed pods may be able to float, natural distribution suggests species not adapted to water dispersal]

(1)Klitgaard, B. B. 1991. Ecuadorian Brownea and Browneopsis (Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae) : Taxonomy, palynology , and morphology. Nord. J. Bat. 11 (4): 433-449.

7.06

(1)Legumes flat, slightly turgid, oblong, peaked, to 20 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, brownish-tomentulose when immature, with heavy ridges along both edges; seeds flat, rectangular, 3.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, black. [not fleshy-fruited]

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

7.07

(1)Legumes flat, slightly turgid, oblong, peaked, to 20 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, brownish-tomentulose when immature, with heavy ridges along both edges; seeds flat, rectangular, 3.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, black. [no means of external attachment] (2)Mature pods 21-40 X 6-8 cm; seeds 30-42 x 25-35 x 5-15 mm...Dispersal and germination. Seeds germinate under the mother trees [this description is for B. grandiceps. The morphological similarity of B. macrophylla's seed pods suggests similar dispersal pattern...Mature pods 7-17 x 3-3.5 cm; seeds 30-41 X 26-35 x 5-15 mm.]

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. (2)Klitgaard, B. B. 1991. Ecuadorian Brownea and Browneopsis (Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae) : Taxonomy, palynology , and morphology. Nord. J. Bat. 11 (4): 433-449.

7.08

(1)Legumes flat, slightly turgid, oblong, peaked, to 20 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, brownish-tomentulose when immature, with heavy ridges along both edges; seeds flat, rectangular, 3.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, black. [no evidence that seeds would be ingested] (2)Mature pods 21-40 X 6-8 cm; seeds 30-42 x 25-35 x 5-15 mm...Dispersal and germination. Seeds germinate under the mother trees [this description is for B. grandiceps. The morphological similarity of B. macrophylla's seed pods suggests similar dispersal pattern...Mature pods 7-17 x 3-3.5 cm; seeds 30-41 X 26-35 x 5-15 mm.]

(1)Croat, T. B. 1978. Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. (2)Klitgaard, B. B. 1991. Ecuadorian Brownea and Browneopsis (Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae) : Taxonomy, palynology , and morphology. Nord. J. Bat. 11 (4): 433-449.

8.01

(1)Tree, height (6-)10-25 m…Mature pods 7-17 x 3-3.5 cm; seeds 30-41 X 26-35 x 5-15 mm. [no evidence, and probably not, given fairly large seed size]

(1)Klitgaard, B. B. 1991. Ecuadorian Brownea and Browneopsis (Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae) : Taxonomy, palynology , and morphology. Nord. J. Bat. 11 (4): 433-449.

8.02

(1)…although many genera of Fabaceae have physical dormancy, seeds in some members of several others, including…Brownea,…have permeable seed coats (Corner, 1951). [no spp. mentioned, but suggests that Brownea spp. may not produce long lasting seed banks]

(1)Baskin, C.C. and J.M. Baskin 1998. Seeds. Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.

8.03

Unknown [not being controlled anywhere]

8.04

(1)Propagate by scarified seeds [unknown if tree will coppice when cut]

(1)Whistler, A.W. 2000. Tropical Ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, OR

8.05

Unknown