Episcia dianthiflora H.E.Moore & R.G.Wilson Family - Gesneriaceae. Common Names(s) - Lace flower vine. Synonym(s) - Alsobia dianthiflora H.E. Moore & R.G. Wilson.

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

n

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

0

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

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, 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

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

n

0

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

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

y

-1

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

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

y

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:

-2

Notes

Source

1.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)South Mexico and Costa Rica.

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

2.02

(1)South Mexico and Costa Rica.

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

2.03

(1)Average or above average warmth in summer. Keep fairy cool in winter - minimum temperature 60 F. Bright light - avoid direct sunshine. (2)Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F) (3)Episcias are ultra-tropical, very sensitive to temperatures below 60 degrees F and low humidity.

(1)http://www.gflora.com/index.php?cmd=genus_body&genus_id=133 [Accessed 15 Dec 2008] (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/573/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008] (3)Llamas, K.A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

2.04

(1)South Mexico and Costa Rica.

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

2.05

(1)an attractive plant for a hanging basket [many web based references also refer to this as a house plant, and do not mention it growing outdoors]. (2)This hanging plant from Costa Rica would undoubtedly be very popular if it were not so difficult to cultivate.

(1)Phelan, J. 2002. The Successful Conservatory: And Growing Exotic Plants. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. East Sussex, UK. (2)Vermeulen, N. and R. Rosenfeld . 1999. Encyclopedia of House Plants. Taylor & Francis. London, UK.

3.01

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamee.htm [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

3.02

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamee.htm [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

3.03

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamee.htm [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

3.04

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamee.htm [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

3.05

(1)Episcia reptans and E. cupreata listed as weeds [no other evidence of impacts or control]

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamee.htm [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

4.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

4.02

Unknown

4.03

(1)No evidence

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

4.04

Unknown

4.05

Unknown

4.06

Unknown

4.07

Unknown

4.08

(1)Growth form and habit unlikely to increase fire hazard

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

4.09

(1)Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade (2)For a balanced development, it is best to position the Episcia dianthiflora in a partially shady place, where it can enjoy direct sunlight only during the coolest hours of the day. (3)Episcias need bright filtered light to bloom but will burn in direct sunlight.

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/573/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008] (2)http://www.gardening.eu/plants/Apartment-Plants/Episcia-dianthiflora/1749/stamp.asp [Accessed 15 Dec 2008] (3)Llamas, K.A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

4.10

(1)Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

4.11

(1)Stems 20-60 cm, creeping and rooting, producing densely pilose green stolons. [can be epiphytic, but no evidence that plants smother other vegetation]

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

4.12

(1)No evidence

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

5.01

(1)Terrestrial

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

5.02

(1)Gesneriaceae

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

5.03

(1)Gesneriaceae

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

5.04

(1)Stems 20-60 cm, creeping and rooting, producing densely pilose green stolons. (2)Genus of 6 species of creeping, stoloniferous, mat-forming, epiphytic or terrestrial, evergreen perennials found in tropical forest and rocky habitats from Mexico to South America...The trailing stems grow about 1,5 ft long - with the Lace Flower (Episcia dianthiflora) the small leaves are borne in groups along thread-like runners. Both bloom throughout the summer and the runners root in surrounding compost, forming plantlets for propagation.

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://www.gflora.com/index.php?cmd=genus_body&genus_id=133 [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

6.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

6.02

(1)N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed [cultivated material rarely produces seed, but wild material does]

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/103222/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

6.03

(1)Hybrids of A. dianthiflora and punctata exhibit white fimbriated flowers with purple spots in the throat and on the lobes. [unknown if natural hybrids are formed]

(1)http://www.greenculturesg.com/articles/aug06/aug06_alsobia.htm [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

6.04

(1)With few exceptions, the flowers of Gesneriaceae are cross-pollinated and animal-pollinated (zoophilous), with insects (mainly bees), birds and bats acting as pollen vectors…Except for a few chiropterophilous species of Gesneria with protogynous flowers, cross-pollination is promoted or enforced by protandry.

(1)Kubitzki, K., K.U . Kramer, P.S. Green , J. G. Rohwer, V. Bittrich, H. Huber , J. W. Kadereit and C. Jeffrey. 2004. The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Volume VII. Flowering Plants - Dicotyledons. Lamiales (except Acanthaceae including Avicenniaceae). Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

6.05

(1)pollinated by female euglossine bees. (2)Corolla with fimbriate limb, gynandro-euglossophilous [pollinated by euglossine bees]

(1)Endress, P.K. and B. Steiner-Gafner. 1996. Diversity and Evolutionary Biology of Tropical Flowers. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, UK. (2)Kadereit, J.W. 2004. Flowering Plants, Dicotyledons: Lamiales (except Acanthaceae Including Avicenniaceae). Springer. Berlin, Germany.

6.06

(1)Stems 20-60 cm, creeping and rooting, producing densely pilose green stolons. (2)Genus of 6 species of creeping, stoloniferous, mat-forming, epiphytic or terrestrial, evergreen perennials found in tropical forest and rocky habitats from Mexico to South America...The trailing stems grow about 1,5 ft long - with the Lace Flower (Episcia dianthiflora) the small leaves are borne in groups along thread-like runners. Both bloom throughout the summer and the runners root in surrounding compost, forming plantlets for propagation.

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://www.gflora.com/index.php?cmd=genus_body&genus_id=133 [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

6.07

Unknown

7.01

(1)Fruit an ovoid, bivalved fleshy capsule [genus description...no means of external attachment] (2)N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed [cultivated material rarely produces seed, but wild material does]

(1)Kadereit, J.W. 2004. Flowering Plants, Dicotyledons: Lamiales (except Acanthaceae Including Avicenniaceae). Springer. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/103222/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

7.02

(1)an attractive plant for a hanging basket. It can also be grown as ground cover between tall plants.

(1)Phelan, J. 2002. The Successful Conservatory: And Growing Exotic Plants. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. East Sussex, UK.

7.03

(1)Fruit an ovoid, bivalved fleshy capsule [genus description] (2)N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed [cultivated material rarely produces seed and no evidence that plant is grown with any produce]

(1)Kadereit, J.W. 2004. Flowering Plants, Dicotyledons: Lamiales (except Acanthaceae Including Avicenniaceae). Springer. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/103222/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

7.04

(1)Fruit an ovoid, bivalved fleshy capsule [genus description] (2)N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed [cultivated material rarely produces seed, but wild material does]

(1)Kadereit, J.W. 2004. Flowering Plants, Dicotyledons: Lamiales (except Acanthaceae Including Avicenniaceae). Springer. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/103222/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

7.05

(1)Fruit an ovoid, bivalved fleshy capsule [genus description] (2)N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed [cultivated material rarely produces seed, but wild material does]

(1)Kadereit, J.W. 2004. Flowering Plants, Dicotyledons: Lamiales (except Acanthaceae Including Avicenniaceae). Springer. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/103222/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

7.06

(1)Fruit an ovoid, bivalved fleshy capsule [genus description…although seeds rarely formed in cultivation]

(1)Kadereit, J.W. 2004. Flowering Plants, Dicotyledons: Lamiales (except Acanthaceae Including Avicenniaceae). Springer. Berlin, Germany.

7.07

(1)Fruit an ovoid, bivalved fleshy capsule [genus description...no means of external attachment] (2)N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed [cultivated material rarely produces seed, but wild material does]

(1)Kadereit, J.W. 2004. Flowering Plants, Dicotyledons: Lamiales (except Acanthaceae Including Avicenniaceae). Springer. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/103222/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

7.08

(1)Fruit an ovoid, bivalved fleshy capsule [genus description] (2)N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed [cultivated material rarely produces seed, but wild material does]

(1)Kadereit, J.W. 2004. Flowering Plants, Dicotyledons: Lamiales (except Acanthaceae Including Avicenniaceae). Springer. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/103222/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

8.01

(1)N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/103222/ [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

8.02

Unknown

8.03

Unknown

8.04

(1)Stems 20-60 cm, creeping and rooting, producing densely pilose green stolons [pieces of plant could probably root if cut up, but no evidence from natural settings] (2)Genus of 6 species of creeping, stoloniferous, mat-forming, epiphytic or terrestrial, evergreen perennials found in tropical forest and rocky habitats from Mexico to South America...The trailing stems grow about 1,5 ft long - with the Lace Flower (Episcia dianthiflora) the small leaves are borne in groups along thread-like runners. Both bloom throughout the summer and the runners root in surrounding compost, forming plantlets for propagation.

(1)Eggli, U. 2002. Dicotyledons. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany. (2)http://www.gflora.com/index.php?cmd=genus_body&genus_id=133 [Accessed 15 Dec 2008]

8.05

Unknown