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

Dalbergia retusa (Dalbergia lineata, black rosewood, Nicaragua rosewood, cocobolo)

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

n

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

y

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

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

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

y

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

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

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

y

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

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

n

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

y

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

0

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

No evidence of naturalization

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Native to Panama. (2)Mexico and Central America (up to northern Columbia).

(1)http://www.si.edu/scmre/educationoutreach/dalbergia_retusa.htm (2)http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/wood/en/www/papdaret.htm

2.02

(1)Native to Panama. (2)Mexico and Central America (up to northern Columbia).

2.03

(7)moist to dry transition tropical forest

(1)http://www.si.edu/scmre/educationoutreach/dalbergia_retusa.htm (2)http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/wood/en/www/papdaret.htm (3)http://www.wetlands.org/RDB/Ramsar_Dir/Nicaragua/NI008D02.pdf (4)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast (5)http://www.echonet.org/tropicalag/aztext/azch4mul.htm (6)http://yumahardwoods.homestead.com/cocobolo.html (7)http://www.eco-index.org/search/results.cfm?ProjectID=209

2.04

(1)Native to Panama. (2)Mexico and Central America (up to northern Columbia).

(1)http://www.si.edu/scmre/educationoutreach/dalbergia_retusa.htm (2)http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/wood/en/www/papdaret.htm

2.05

Introduced to Africa (Tanzania)

http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80364e/80364E0h.htm

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

AB: A 3-5 kilometre wide section of the tropical central Queensland coast around Mackay, Australia, was surveyed during 1992-94. Naturalized exotic plants comprised 28% of the total flora, and included 311 species belonging to 64 families and 203 genera. Herbaceous life forms (66.8%) dominated the weed flora. Analysis of weed species occurrence indicated that 78% of species were infrequent or rare in their present distribution, thus reflecting secondary successional influences in disturbed habitats. Weed cover of >35% reduced native species richness in coastal Casuarina woodlands. Current land use practices encourage the naturalization of weeds and increase their potential to expand present vegetation cover to thresholds that will reduce native species diversity over the long term. A total of 56 species (18% of the total flora) was considered seriously invasive within the area. The most susceptible vegetation types to weed invasions were riparian forest (44 species), open forest (32 species) and beach scrub (

4.01

No evidence

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/english/dalbre.html

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know [but other Dalbergias are used as fodder]

4.05

No evidence

4.06

No evidence of assosiated pests.

4.07

(1) 'Toxicity: Can cause contact dermatitis from sand-papering of cocobolo hairbrushes; localized dermatitis from contact with knife-handles, bracelets, recorders and other finished articles made of cocobolo wood; nasal irritation in workers finishing and sanding cocobolo wood. The allergenic chemicals are S-4'-hydroxy-4-methoxy dalbergione, R-4-methoxy dalbergione and other quinones and phenols.' (2)Sawdust from this species has been associated with skin irritation similar to that caused by poison ivy in some individuals. [don't know extent of problem, will not occur when contacting live plants]

(1)http://www.si.edu/scmre/educationoutreach/dalbergia_retusa.htm (2)http://www.exotichardwoods-southamerica.com/cocobolo.htm

4.08

tree of poor form and wet envrinments [probably not a fire hazard]

4.09

(1) 'Shade tolerant and small gap tolerant. Slow growth in sun and shade. Growth in shade faster than in sun initially but not by years end.' (2)A great plant when grown as a houseplant! [indicates some shade tolerance]

(1)Carol K. Augspurger. 1984. light Requirements of Neotropical Tree Seedlings: A Comparative Study of Growth and Survival. Journal of Ecology. 72(3): 777 - 795. (2)http://www.driftwoodgardens.com/rosewooddalbergiaretusa.htm

4.1

can grow on degraded acid soils

Tilki, F. Fisher, R. F. 1998. Tropical leguminous species for acid soils: studies on plant form and growth in Costa Rica. Forest Ecology and Management. 108: 172-192.

4.11

Non-climbing

http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb/6.00/taxa/9923.shtml

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

A small to medium-sized tree 45 to 60 ft high with trunk diameters of 20 to 24 in. (Leguminoceae)

http://www.si.edu/scmre/educationoutreach/dalbergia_retusa.htm

5.03

'Cocobolo is leguminous, or nitrogen-fixing.'

http://tropicalhardwoods.com/htm/tropical_hardwoods/cocobolo.htm

5.04

A small to medium-sized tree 45 to 60 ft high

http://www.news.ai/build/woods.html

6.01

'Flowers are white, pea-like, produced from January to March.'

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/english/dalbre.html

6.02

(1) 'AB: The effect of temperature on Dalbergia retusa Hemsl. germination was studied in the laboratory. Seeds were disinfected and placed in Petri dishes for germination at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 deg C. Germination percentage and the hypocotyl-radicle length were measured after three and five days. The highest germination (85.6%) was obtained at 30 deg C. Lower temperatures did not favour germination. Some seeds were able to germinate at 40 and 45 deg C, a physiological adaptation to hot environments.' (2)Hypogeal germination.

(1)ET: Temperature and seed germination in Dalbergia retusa (Papilionaceae), an endangered tree.
FT: Temperatura y germinación de las semillas de Dalbergia retusa (Papilionaceae), árbol en peligro de extinción.
AU: García, E. G.; Stéfano, J. F. di
SO: Revista de Biología Tropical, 2000, Vol.48, No.1, pp.43-45, 7 ref. (2)Light Requirements of Neotropical Tree Seedlings: A Comparative Study of Growth and Survival. Carol K. Augspurger. 1984. Journal of Ecology. 72(3): 777 - 795.

6.03

No evidence

6.04

'In Dalbergia retusa and Myrospermum frutescens abortion of flowers and fruits following self pollination occurs for up to 10 to 20 days respectively, and is probably indicative of inbreeding depression. '

Bawa, K.S. and Webb, C. J. 1984. Flower, fruit and seed abortion in tropical forest trees: implications for the evolution of paternal and maternal reproductive patterns. Ecology 72(5): 736 - 751.

6.05

Pollinated by medium to large sized bees.

Bawa, K.S. and Webb, C. J. 1984. Flower, fruit and seed abortion in tropical forest trees: implications for the evolution of paternal and maternal reproductive patterns. Ecology 72(5): 736 - 751.

6.06

No evidence of vegetative spread in the wild.

6.07

(1)Grows to 3 m in 18 months [similar growth rate to other Dalbergias] (2)It is twice the weight of Walnut, and is so dense it does not absorb water (it will not float!) [denser wood than other Dalbergias, implying slower growth] (3)Slow growth in sun and shade.

(1)http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80364e/80364E0h.htm (2)http://www.bobsbokkens.com/wood.html (3)Carol K. Augspurger. 1984. light Requirements of Neotropical Tree Seedlings: A Comparative Study of Growth and Survival. Journal of Ecology. 72(3): 777 - 795.

7.01

Probably not - winged wind dispersed fruit/seed, not typically grown as a roadside amenity plant

Bawa, K.S. and Webb, C. J. 1984. Flower, fruit and seed abortion in tropical forest trees: implications for the evolution of paternal and maternal reproductive patterns. Ecology 72(5): 736 - 751.

7.02

(1) 'Uses: Highly favored in the cutlery trade for handles, inlay work, brush backs and small tool handles, musical and scientific instruments, jewelry boxes, chessmen, butts of billiard cues, and other specialty items.'
(2) Grown in plantation

(1) http://www.si.edu/scmre/educationoutreach/dalbergia_retusa.htm
(2) Gutiérrez L., M.; Fonseca G., W. (2002) ET: Growth of native species in plantation, Horizontes Forest Experiment Station. [Crecimiento de especies nativas en plantación, Estación Experimental Forestal Horizontes.] Memoria del taller-seminario: especies forestales nativas, Heredia, Costa Rica, 4-5 April 2002, 2002, pp.58-62, 3 ref.

7.03

winged wind dispersed fruit/seed. [no relevant products]

Bawa, K.S. and Webb, C. J. 1984. Flower, fruit and seed abortion in tropical forest trees: implications for the evolution of paternal and maternal reproductive patterns. Ecology 72(5): 736 - 751.

7.04

(1) 'The fruits, maturing from March to May, are flattened pods with 1-3 seeds whose outlines in the pod are very clear; they are dispersed by wind.' (2) ;Seeds with intact fruits are dispersed by wind in Dalbergia retusa… '

(1)http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/english/dalbre.html (2) Bawa, K.S. and Webb, C. J. 1984. Flowrer, fruit and seed abortion in tropical forest trees: implications for the evolution of paternal and maternal reproductive patterns. 72(5): 736 - 751.

7.05

'The fruits, maturing from March to May, are flattened pods with 1-3 seeds whose outlines in the pod are very clear; they are dispersed by wind.'

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/english/dalbre.html

7.06

'The fruits, maturing from March to May, are flattened pods with 1-3 seeds whose outlines in the pod are very clear; they are dispersed by wind.'

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/english/dalbre.html

7.07

'The fruits, maturing from March to May, are flattened pods with 1-3 seeds whose outlines in the pod are very clear; they are dispersed by wind.'

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/english/dalbre.html

7.08

'The fruits, maturing from March to May, are flattened pods with 1-3 seeds whose outlines in the pod are very clear; they are dispersed by wind.'

http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/english/dalbre.html

8.01

(1)Mean dry weight of seed without dispersal appendange is 121 mg. (2)The pod is indehiscent, with winged mostly one seeded samara. [relatively large legume seed, one per pod. ]

(1) Light Requirements of Neotropical Tree Seedlings: A Comparative Study of Growth and Survival. Carol K. Augspurger. 1984. Journal of Ecology. 72(3): 777 - 795. (2) Bawa, K.S. and Webb, C. J. 1984. Flowrer, fruit and seed abortion in tropical forest trees: implications for the evolution of paternal and maternal reproductive patterns. 72(5): 736 - 751.

8.02

(1) The effect of temperature on Dalbergia retusa Hemsl. germination was studied in the laboratory. Seeds were disinfected and placed in Petri dishes for germination at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 deg C. Germination percentage and the hypocotyl-radicle length were measured after three and five days. The highest germination (85.6%) was obtained at 30 deg C. Lower temperatures did not favour germination. Some seeds were able to germinate at 40 and 45 deg C, a physiological adaptation to hot environments. [germinationn affected by temperature, but easy to germinate] (2)easy to germinate [other Dahlbergia spp. also lack seed bank]

(1)García, E. G.; Stéfano, J. F. di (2000) Temperature and seed germination in Dalbergia retusa (Papilionaceae), an endangered tree. [FT: Temperatura y germinación de las semillas de Dalbergia retusa (Papilionaceae), árbol en peligro de extinción.] Revista de Biología Tropical, 2000, Vol.48, No.1, pp.43-45, 7 ref. (2)http://www.biesanz.com/tree.htm [assumed to lack seed bank like other Dalhbergias]

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

I sucessfully moved a 12' tall tree, didn't appear to slow it down at all. In fact, the roots keep sprouting up from where I moved it.

http://www.biesanz.com/tree.htm

8.05

Don’t know