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

Duranta erecta (pigeonberry, golden dew drop) Syn: Duranta plumeiri, D. repens

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

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

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

n

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

y

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

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

y

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

y

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

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

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

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

y

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

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:

13

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1)Naturalizing in Hawai‘i. '...widely cultivated and naturalized in the tropics.' (2)One naturalized species D. erecta (=D. repens and D. plumieri) is recorded from Australia. (3)Naturalized to Florida [questionably native in sourthern tip] (4)It occurs in disturbed areas in southern Florida where it is generally believed to have been introduced

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/duere.htm (2)Munir-Ahmad-Abid. 1995. A taxonomic revision of the genus Duranta L. (Verbenaceae) in Australia. Journal-of-the-Adelaide-Botanic-Gardens. 16 (0) 1-16. (3)http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu/gardening_guide5.htm (4)http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=ref_contents&viewsrc=lists/contents.cfm

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1) Native range: Tropical America, widely cultivated and naturalized in the tropics (2)'Golden dewdrop is native to scrub and open woodlands in the West Indies and Central and South America.'

(1) http://www.hear.org/pier/duere.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm

2.02

2.03

(1)USDA Zones 9 - 11. (2)Golden dew drop grows wild mostly in dry coastal areas from sea level to over 100 m in elevation. As an ornamental, it can be grown in moderate shade at elevations up to 1,300 m (3)With the exception of ornamental specimens >2000 m, most collections were made <1000 m. (4)Common or roadside banks and in thickets 450-5500 feet

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm (2)http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cache:dHDqxQEkn5cC:
www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%2520erecta.pdf+Duranta+erecta&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (3)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast (4) Adams, C.D. 1970. Flowering plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona

2.04

(1) Native range: Tropical America, widely cultivated and naturalized in the tropics (2)'Golden dewdrop is native to scrub and open woodlands in the West Indies and Central and South America.'

(1) http://www.hear.org/pier/duere.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm

2.05

Introduced to various pacific islands and Australia.

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

3.01

(1)Naturalizing in Hawai‘i. '...widely cultivated and naturalized in the tropics.' (2)One naturalized species D. erecta (=D. repens and D. plumieri) is recorded from Australia. (3)Naturalized to Florida [questionably native in sourthern tip] (4)It occurs in disturbed areas in southern Florida where it is generally believed to have been introduced

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/duere.htm (2)Munir-Ahmad-Abid. 1995. A taxonomic revision of the genus Duranta L. (Verbenaceae) in Australia. Journal-of-the-Adelaide-Botanic-Gardens. 16 (0) 1-16. (3)http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu/gardening_guide5.htm (4)http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=ref_contents&viewsrc=lists/contents.cfm

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

(1)on a list of environmental weeds but "White and new purple flowered cultivars do not appear a problem" [what other flower colors exist? They all seem to be white or purple or some combination of these colors] (2)Listed as an important invasive plant in China defined as "caused obvious changes in a natural ecosystem or landscape, or has caused damages to a local natural or artificial ecosystem." [answer is YES based on this reference and ref #5] (3)some varieties invasive [southeast USA] (4)Listed as a POTENTIAL environment weeds of the Ipswich District (Australia) (5)"A large paddock had recently been cleared on the north side of the road near the Eureka turnoff. Much of the piled branches were from stands of Duranta (Duranta repens)." [evidence that it is being controlled in Australia]

(1)http://www.graftoncity.nsw.gov.au/engineering/Weeds-Replacements.pdf (2)http://monkey.ioz.ac.cn/bwg-cciced/english/cesis/invasive.htm (3)http://www.keiththibodeaux.com/Garden/plantlist.htm (4)http://conservation.ipswich.qld.gov.au/conservation/garden_escapees.htm (5)http://www.bigscrubrainforest.org.au/weed_bus.htm

3.05

No evidence

4.01

Some bushes are quite spiny, and some have no spines at all.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm

4.02

AB: "Three new triterpenoid-type saponins were isolated from leaves of Duranta repens [D. erecta ] using plant growth inhibiting activity against seedlings of Brassica juncea var. cernua as a guide for fractionation" [lab only]

Hiradate, S.; Yada, H.; Ishii, T.; Nakajima, N.; Ohnishi-Kameyama, M.; Sugie, H.; Zungsontiporn, S.; Fujii, Y. (1999) Three plant growth inhibiting saponins from Duranta repens . Phytochemistry, 1999, Vol.52, No.7, pp.1223-1228, 13 ref.

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know.

4.05

Although it is toxic to humans - did not find any evidence for it being toxic to animals.

4.06

(1)The species is subject of attack by scale, mealy bugs, caterpillars, and nematodes. (2)No serious insect or disease problems. (3)Phyllachora fusicarpa in Haiti was found to be associated with D. erecta. (4)The aphid -Aphis punicae infestations were found on D. erecta.
(5) AB: Adults of the coffee pest Hypothenemus hampei were found sheltering in seeds of Eugenia uniflora, Duranta repens, Crotalaria juncea and Lantana camara in the field in India. No evidence for breeding in these seeds was found. [H. hampei is a serious pest of coffee, but the citation above indicates a huge host range]

(1)http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cache:dHDqxQEkn5cC:
www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%2520erecta.pdf+Duranta+erecta&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (2)http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/codea/A507.shtml (3)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm (4) El-Nagar, S.; Ismail, I. I.; Attia, A. A. 1982. Aspects of seasonal occurrence and life-cycle of Aphis punicae (Pass.) in Egypt. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique d'Égypte. No.64, pp.155-159.
(5) Vijayalakshmi, C. K.; Rahiman, P. A.; Reddy, A. G. S. (1994) A note on the alternate shelters of coffee berry borer beetles. Journal of Coffee Research, 1994, Vol.24, No.1, pp.47-48, 2 ref.

4.07

(1)The attractive fruits are poisonous to humans. Do not use this shrub in children's' play areas.
(2) Poisonous Plant Parts - Not for Human Consumption (3) 'Golden dewdrop is a poisonous plant and has caused deaths of children. Saponins in the fruits and foliage cause gastroenteric irritation, drowsiness, fever, nausea, vomiting, and convulsions. Dermatitis sometimes occurs from handling the plants,'

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm (2)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/LB198501267.html (3)http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cache:dHDqxQEkn5cC:
www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%2520erecta.pdf+Duranta+erecta&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

4.08

Probably yes -(1)Inhabits mostly dry to disturbed moist habitats. (2) In native range inhabits scrub and open woodlands. It usually forms a multi-stemmed clump with branches that droop and trail. [fire risk]

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/duere.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm

4.09

(1) Light: Does best in full sun. Tolerates partial shade.
(2) " it is moderately intolerantof shade and does not compete well with taller vegetation" (3)Requires full sun (4)Sunny to partially shaded places (5)Light requirments: hight, medium

(1) http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm
(2) http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%20erecta.pdf (3)http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu/gardening_guide5.htm (4)Whistler, W.A. 1990. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press. (5)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EH159

4.1

(1)Tolerates wide range of soils. (2)Grows in rather poor soils.

(1)http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/codea/A507.shtml (2)http://www.barbadine.com/pages/grevillea_banksii.htm

4.11

Golden dewdrop is a sprawling, sometimes vinelike shrub or small tree that can get up to 18' tall and just as wide. No evidence of it smothering other species.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm

4.12

No evidence

5.01

A 4 to 6 ;m tall shrub in Verbenaceae

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

5.02

Verbenaceae

5.03

Verbenaceae

5.04

No evidence

6.01

In natural stands in Puerto Rico, golden dewdrop flowers and fruits in spring and summer.

http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cache:dHDqxQEkn5cC:
www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%2520erecta.pdf+Duranta+erecta&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

6.02

'Set to germinate on moist filter paper without any pretreatment, 29 percent of the seeds germinated beginning 128 days after sowing.'

http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cache:dHDqxQEkn5cC:
www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%2520erecta.pdf+Duranta+erecta&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

6.03

Don’t know.

6.04

6.05

(1) AB: "Plants such as Antigonon leptopus, Caesalpinia coriaria, Duranta repens [D. erecta ], Jasminum angustifolium, Lantana camara, Sida cordifolia and Hamelia patens may be considered as the favourite nectar host plants for the papilionids as they produce numerous flowers daily and provide ample nectar."
(2) Golden dewdrop flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds

(1) Raju, A. J. S. (2001) Adult nectar host plants of some papilionid butterflies. Insect Environment, 2001, Vol.7, No.2, pp.94-95, 1 ref. (2)http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%20erecta.pdf

6.06

(1)Propagation: Seed. (2)However, seedlings are seldom common. After establishment, plants thicken and spread laterally a few decimeters vegetatively.

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/duere.htm (2)http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cache:dHDqxQEkn5cC:
www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%2520erecta.pdf+Duranta+erecta&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

6.07

(1)moderate rate of growth (2)Growth rate medium [estimate for a medium growing shrub/small tree]

(1)http://www.csupomona.edu/~fdgibbons/hor232/notes14.html (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EH159

7.01

Probably not- no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.02

Probably yes - it is an ornamental plant. 'The showy flowers bloom almost all year long in terminal or lateral clusters …'

http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm

7.03

No information on seed morphology- but probably not as the fruits are not commercially important - nor there is any evidence that the plants are associated with agricultural plants.

7.04

7.05

7.06

Birds disseminate the seeds

http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cache:dHDqxQEkn5cC:
www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%2520erecta.pdf+Duranta+erecta&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

7.07

Probably not- no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.08

Birds disseminate the seeds

http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cache:dHDqxQEkn5cC:
www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%2520erecta.pdf+Duranta+erecta&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

8.01

A collection of golden dewdrop fruits from Puerto Rico averaged 0.515 + .009 g/fruit. Air-dried seeds separated from them averaged 0.0346 + 0.0005 g/seed or 28,900 seeds/kg.
The yellow or yellow-orange fleshy fruits are ellipsoidal with five lobes and grow in hanging clusters. These fruits may contain up to eight nutlets. [probably yes, need 125 fruits per square meter, which could be achieved by several flowering branches BORDERLINE ]

http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%20erecta.pdf

8.02

Set to germinate on moist filter paper without any pretreatment, 29 percent of the seeds germinated beginning 128 days after sowing

http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/Duranta%20erecta.pdf

8.03

No evidence that the plant is being controlled for with herbicides

8.04

(1)It tends to sprawl and will need regular thinning and pruning to keep it under control. (2)even if killed to the ground can be expected to revive in spring well into zone 8

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm (2)http://www.seedman.com/limited.htm

8.05

Don’t know.