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

Delonix regia

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

y

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

n

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

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

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

n

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

n

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

4

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

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

y

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

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:

-1

Source

Notes

1.01

Du Puy,, D. J., P. B. Peterson & R. Rabevohitra. 1995. The genus Delonix (Leguminoceae: Caesalpinoideae: Caesalpinieae) in Madagascar. Kew Bulletin. 50 (3): 445 - 475.

'A specimen cultivated in Martinique, with golden yellow, unspotted flowers, was described by M. Stehle as D. regia var. flavida. This variant is not known in the wild and should be recognized only as a cultivar.'

1.02

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. http://www.coexploration.org/projects/heidi/nonnative.htm

'Endemic and rare in Madagascar, widely cultivated throughout the tropics as an ornamental; in Hawaii widely cultivated and sparingly naturalized in low elevation dry to mesic disturbed sites… '' Seeds commonly sprout beneath parent trees. Seeds are large with no apparent dispersal agent other than humans who intentionally plant it. Several other references have suggested that this species occasionally "escapes" cultivation. This tree has been planted literally in every part of the tropical and sub-tropical world, so if it naturalizes easily then we certainly would have found more evidence. Apparently not naturalized in Bermuda despite having been there a long time (almost everything else seems to be naturalized there). This seems to be a borderline case; the question could be answered either way.

1.03

Did not find any evidence on the species having weedy sub-species, cultivars or varieties.

2.01

Haller, J. M. 1982. Tree or flame. American forests. 88 (6): 48 -49

'…the royal poinciana has been widely planted as an ornamental in the worlds tropical and semitropical regions … .'

2.02

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.03

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

Altitude range is 0 -2000 m. It inhabits mostly dry to moist tropical forests.

2.04

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

'Endemic and rare in Madagascar, widely cultivated throughout the tropics as an ornamental; in Hawaii widely cultivated and sparingly naturalized in low elevation dry to mesic disturbed sites… ''

2.05

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

Introduced in many places throughout the tropics and the subtropics.

3.01

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

Questionable. See 1.02 above. 'Endemic and rare in Madagascar, widely cultivated throughout the tropics as an ornamental; in Hawaii widely cultivated and sparingly naturalized in low elevation dry to mesic disturbed sites… ''

3.02

Did not find any evidence of the species being a weed.

3.03

Did not find any evidence of the species being a weed.

3.04

Did not find any evidence of the species being a weed.

3.05

Did not find any evidence of the species having a congeneric weed.

4.01

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

The morphological description of the tree in this flora does not indicate the presence of any spines, burrs or thorns.

4.02

Chou, CH; Leu, LL. 1992. Allelopathic substances and interactions of Delonix regia (Boj) Raf. Journal of chemical ecology. v. 18 (12) p. 2285-2303

'The number of species and coverage of understory species were significantly lower in the area of the D. regia than that of the grassland, indicating the growth of understory species was suppressed by D. regia.' 'The findings of bioassays and the number and amount of responsible allelopathic compounds found in D. regia are well correlated, thus permitting the conclusion that the exclusion of understory plants under the canopy of D. regia trees was due primarily to the allelopathic effect of the fallen flower, leaves, and twigs of the D. regia.

4.03

Did not find evidence that this species is parasitic.

4.04

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

'The pods are edible and have good potential as a dietary protein source for humans and livestock (Webb et al., 1984; Grant et al., 1995). The leaves (with 39.5% protein) provide nutritious fodder and browse for livestock.'

4.05

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

'The pods are edible and have good potential as a dietary protein source for humans and livestock (Webb et al., 1984; Grant et al., 1995). The leaves (with 39.5% protein) provide nutritious fodder and browse for livestock.'

4.06

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2) http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

Du Puy,, D. J., P. B. Peterson & R. Rabevohitra. 1995. The genus Delonix (Leguminoceae: Caesalpinoideae: Caesalpinieae) in Madagascar. Kew Bulletin. 50 (3): 445 - 475.

The seeds of some species of the genus Delonix are eaten raw as a snack in Madagascar.

4.08

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

'Young plants of D. regia are fire-tender.' I interpreted fire-tender to be fire susceptible (?).

4.09

(1) Menninger, E. A. 1962. Flowering trees of the world. For tropics and warm climates. Hearthside Press Incorporated. New York. (2) CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

(1) 'It grows in almost any well drained soil and does particularly well near the sea, but will not tolerate shade from other trees.' (2) 'D. regia is a light-demander and under shady conditions it grows slowly.'

4.1

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

'D. regia has been planted up to an altitude of about 2000 m on alluvium, shale and limestone soils and on a wide range of other soil types.'

4.11

Du Puy,, D. J., P. B. Peterson & R. Rabevohitra. 1995. The genus Delonix (Leguminoceae: Caesalpinoideae: Caesalpinieae) in Madagascar. Kew Bulletin. 50 (3): 445 - 475.

The species is a tree about 5 - 20 m tall. Did not find any evidence on it having a smothering habit.

4.12

Did not find evidence on the species growing as monocultures in natural habitats.

5.01

5.02

5.03

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

It is a nitrogen-fixing species and the roots have mycorrhizas.

5.04

6.01

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

6.02

Grown from seeds

6.03

Did not find any evidence on this species naturally hybridizing.

6.04

Sareen, T. S. & S. Vasisht. 1982. Breeding systems of Delonix regia RAF in Improvement of forest biomass. Ed P.K. Khosla. Pragati press. New Delhi. Pgs 33 - 40.

'There was complete lack of fruit formation on deliberate selfing in W as well as Y type of trees indicating the presence of strong self incompatibility system in the species.'

6.05

Du Puy,, D. J., P. B. Peterson & R. Rabevohitra. 1995. The genus Delonix (Leguminoceae: Caesalpinoideae: Caesalpinieae) in Madagascar. Kew Bulletin. 50 (3): 445 - 475.

'The bright red and white flowers of D. regia are unique in the genus and are probably pollinated by sunbirds.'

6.06

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

'It is naturally regenerated by seed.' Did not find any evidence on the ability of the species to spread naturally by vegetative fragmentation.

6.07

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

The trees start flowering at 4-5 years old.

7.01

Du Puy,, D. J., P. B. Peterson & R. Rabevohitra. 1995. The genus Delonix (Leguminoceae: Caesalpinoideae: Caesalpinieae) in Madagascar. Kew Bulletin. 50 (3): 445 - 475.

The seeds of this species do not have any mechanism such as hooks and sticky coats and hence are less likely to be dispersed unintentionally by people.

7.02

Haller, J. M. 1982. Tree or flame. American forests. 88 (6): 48 -49

'The tree yields no edible fruit, no dye, no fiber or any other commercially exploitable product … For these deficiencies , however its beauty is ample compensation.' Also it is reported to be widely planted as a street, park and yard ornamental. It is likely to be dispersed intentionally by people due to its ornamental value.

7.03

(1) Du Puy,, D. J., P. B. Peterson & R. Rabevohitra. 1995. The genus Delonix (Leguminoceae: Caesalpinoideae: Caesalpinieae) in Madagascar. Kew Bulletin. 50 (3): 445 - 475. (2) Haller, J. M. 1982. Tree or flame. American forests. 88 (6): 48 -49 & 58

The seeds are relatively large (17-23 X 5-7 X 4-5 mm) colored in shades of black and brown and streaked with yellow. It is unlikely to be dispersed as a produce contaminant.

7.04

Du Puy,, D. J., P. B. Peterson & R. Rabevohitra. 1995. The genus Delonix (Leguminoceae: Caesalpinoideae: Caesalpinieae) in Madagascar. Kew Bulletin. 50 (3): 445 - 475.

'The pods of most Malagasy species … They appear to be tardily dehiscent or even indehiscent until after they have fallen to the ground.'

7.05

7.06

7.07

The seeds do not have any mechanism by which they can attach to animals and be dispersed in this way.

7.08

No information.

8.01

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

About 1600 - 3700 seeds per Kg (large seeds), making 1000 seeds per m2 unlikely

8.02

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

'D. regia seed is able to germinate at a wide range of soil pH values (4.9-10.6), but take a long time to germinate and may lie buried in the soil for 2-3 years without germinating.'

8.03

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_WG209

Cut stump application of 50% Garlon 3A.

8.04

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

'It tolerates severe pruning … .'

8.05

This species is not considered a weed and hence no biocontrol agent introduced for it.