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

Etlingera elatior (Jack) R. M. Sm.; Nicolaia elatior; Alpinia nutans; Nicolaia speciosa, Phaeomeria speciosa, torch ginger, torch lily, philippine wax flower

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

y

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

n

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

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

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

y

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

y

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

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:

1

Notes

Source

1.01

The following are cultivars of E. elatior: Red torch gigner, pink torch ginger, tulip torch, thai queen, yamamoto and siam rose.

http://www.alohatropicals.com/Gingers_EtlingeraElatior.html

1.02

No evidence of naturalization

1.03

The following are cultivars of E. elatior: Red torch gigner, pink torch ginger, tulip torch, thai queen, yamamoto and siam rose. But no evidence that either of them are weedy.

http://www.alohatropicals.com/Gingers_EtlingeraElatior.html

2.01

(1)Origin: Java. (2)Widely distributed in Malesia, subsequently introduced into the Philippines, and now widely cultivated elsewhere. Present on Pacific Islands. Escaped from cultivation in Hawai‘i (Kaua‘i) (3)Origin: India; Australia (4)Native: ASIA-TROPICAL Malesia: Indonesia [possibly native]; Malaysia [possibly native]

(1)http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/4705/fall99/etlinger.html (2)http://www.hear.org/pier/species/etlingera_elatior.htm (3)http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Tropical%20Plants/etlingeraelatior.htm (4)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness: USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C (35° F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5° C (40° F); Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings [limited to wet]

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/31505/

2.04

(1)Origin: Java. (2)Widely distributed in Malesia, subsequently introduced into the Philippines, and now widely cultivated elsewhere. Present on Pacific Islands. Escaped from cultivation in Hawai‘i (Kaua‘i) (3)Origin: India; Australia (4)widely cultivated in tropics

(1)http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/4705/fall99/etlinger.html (2)http://www.hear.org/pier/species/etlingera_elatior.htm (3)http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Tropical%20Plants/etlingeraelatior.htm (4)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Etlingera+elatior+

2.05

(1)Origin: Java. (2)Widely distributed in Malesia, subsequently introduced into the Philippines, and now widely cultivated elsewhere. Present on Pacific Islands. Escaped from cultivation in Hawai‘i (Kaua‘i) (3)Origin: India; Australia (4)widely cultivated in tropics

(1)http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/4705/fall99/etlinger.html (2)http://www.hear.org/pier/species/etlingera_elatior.htm (3)http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Tropical%20Plants/etlingeraelatior.htm (4)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Etlingera+elatior+

3.01

No evidence of naturalization

3.02

Can be invasive in the right conditions (80F above with 80-90RH). [in gardens]

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/31505

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence of such structures.

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/31505/

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi?name=Etlingera+elatior+&submit=Submit+Query&search=all

4.04

Don’t know

4.05

No evidence

4.06

This site lists the following 3 fungi species to be associated with E. elatior: Epithele nikau: HI - (wood rotting fungi), Hyphodontia breviseta: HI - (wood rotting fungi) , Marasmiellus palmivorus: HI - (wood rotting fungi)

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

(1)The flower bud of this ginger is eaten raw as a salad or used as a food flavouring, especially in “laksa” (rice noodles in a spicy, fish soup). (2)The young flower-shoots and half-ripe fruiting shoots are used as a condiment in curries. The ripe seeds are eaten raw. The fruits and leaves are utilized medicinally.

(1)http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/8983/gingers/torch.html (2)http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/Mansfeld/Taxonomy/datenvoll.afp?module=mf&ID=botnam_18819K0B5&source=botnam&taxid=3324&akzanz=0

4.08

succulent herbaceous perennial.

http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Tropical%20Plants/etlingeraelatior.htm

4.09

(1)The Torch ginger likes full sun or light shade (2)Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade Light Shade Partial to Full Shade

(1)http://members.lycos.nl/gvolffen/index-71.html (2)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/31505/

4.1

(1)Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings. Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic), 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral). (2)Soil requirements: Wide range

(1)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/31505/ (2)http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Tropical%20Plants/etlingeraelatior.htm

4.11

Herbaceous perennial

http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Tropical%20Plants/etlingeraelatior.htm

4.12

(1)growing in dense thickets (2)Photo shows dense stand.

(1)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/31505 (2)http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/p06/pages/etlingera-elatior-2.htm

5.01

This fast-growing herbaceous perennial with green and red leaves grows to a height of about 15 feet. 

http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Tropical%20Plants/etlingeraelatior.htm

5.02

Zingiberacaeae

5.03

Zingiberacaeae

5.04

(1)This fast-growing herbaceous perennial with green and red leaves grows to a height of about 15 feet.  (2)Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets) Seed collecting: Unknown - Tell us

(1)http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Tropical%20Plants/etlingeraelatior.htm (2)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/31505/

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1)Sold as rhizome(Root section). (2)Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets) Seed collecting: Unknown (3)'The germination/seedling emergence of 6 ornamental species of the Zingiberales was studied. In Costus sp. emergence (E) was initiated 3 weeks after sowing and reached 55% by the end of the experiment, with T50 (time to reach 50% of total emergence) occurring by the fourth week and T10-90 (the time span between 10 and 90% of total emergence) lasted 4 weeks. For Tapeinochilos ananassae, emergence was initiated (I) in the sixth week and reached 61%; T50 occurred in week 17 and T10-90 lasted 9 weeks. For Renealmia cernua, I occurred in the fifth week, E was 70%, T50 was reached in week 7 and T10-90 lasted 3 weeks. For Etlingera elatior, the experiment was performed with 3-month-stored seeds (ambient laboratory conditions). For this species, E showed statistical differences with respect to inflorescence maturity and its interaction with pre-soaking treatment. The

(1)http://www.alohatropicals.com/Gingers_EtlingeraElatior.html (2)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/31505/ (3)Germination in six ornamental Zingiberales. (Foreign Title: Germinación en seis Zingiberales ornamentales.) Maciel, N. Mogollón, N. Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Posgrado Horticultura, Apartado 400, Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Proceedings of the Interamerican Society for Tropical Horticulture, 1997, publ. 1998, Vol.&nbsp41, pp.&nbsp55-61, 20 ref.

6.03

Artificial intergeneric crosses between Alpinia purpurata and Etlingera elatior (Zingiberaceae) have produced hybrids. Data are presented with a Latin diagnosis and the name X Alpingera martinica F. Luc-Cayol proposed for these hybrids. The shape and color of the inflorescence of this hybrid species are an improvement relative to the ornamental value of the parents. [No evidence of natual hybridization]

SO: Hortscience-. 1997; 32 (5) 914-915..

6.04

No evidence

6.05

(1) This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
(2) N. elatior [Etlingera elatior] is cultivated in tropical gardens for the flower buds, which are used as a spice, and for the ornamental value of the red, glossy inflorescence. Observations revealed that a sunbird, Anthreptes malacensis, was a pollinator. The inflorescence and flower structures are described, emphasising their adaptation to ornithophily. (3)[Floral morphology in picture suggests specialized visitor is required, not bees]

(2) Classen, R. (1987) Morphological adaptations for bird pollination in Nicolaia elatior (Jack) Horan (Zingiberaceae). Gardens' Bulletin, 1987, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 37-43, 12 ref. (3)Whistler, W.A. 2000 Tropical Ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

6.06

(1)Sold as rhizome(Root section). (2)Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets) Seed collecting: Unknown - Tell us

(1)http://www.alohatropicals.com/Gingers_EtlingeraElatior.html (2)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/31505/

6.07

needs 2 years growth in a warm climate before it will bloom [first seeds must be after 2 years; inflorescence lasts many months before seeds mature]

http://gingers.50megs.com/OtherGingers2/Notes.htm

7.01

no evidence

7.02

(1)Attractive garden plant. (2)Ornamental

(1)http://www.montosogardens.com/Etlingera%20elatior%20'Pink%20Torch'.ht m (2)http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-in/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Etlingera+elatior+

7.03

No evidence

7.04

"Fruiting head subglobose, about 10-20 cm in diameter; fruit berry-like, globose, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, with silky hairs, green when unripe, turning red at maturity. Seeds small, numerous, black-brown, with a white or pink, translucent aril." [bird dispersal syndrome]

Ibrahim, H.& Setyowati, F.M., 2002. Etlingera Giseke. [Internet] Record number 575 from TEXTFILE On-line. de Guzman, C.C. and Siemonsma, J.S. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Friday, 07 May 2004.

7.05

No evidence

7.06

"Fruiting head subglobose, about 10-20 cm in diameter; fruit berry-like, globose, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, with silky hairs, green when unripe, turning red at maturity. Seeds small, numerous, black-brown, with a white or pink, translucent aril." [bird dispersal syndrome]

Ibrahim, H.& Setyowati, F.M., 2002. Etlingera Giseke. [Internet] Record number 575 from TEXTFILE On-line. de Guzman, C.C. and Siemonsma, J.S. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Friday, 07 May 2004.

7.07

No evidence

7.08

"Fruiting head subglobose, about 10-20 cm in diameter; fruit berry-like, globose, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, with silky hairs, green when unripe, turning red at maturity. Seeds small, numerous, black-brown, with a white or pink, translucent aril." [bird dispersal syndrome]

Ibrahim, H.& Setyowati, F.M., 2002. Etlingera Giseke. [Internet] Record number 575 from TEXTFILE On-line. de Guzman, C.C. and Siemonsma, J.S. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Friday, 07 May 2004.

8.01

(1)"Fruiting head globose or cylindrical, the fruits close together, globose or long-beaked, indehiscent, with thick pericarp. Seeds numerous, angular, surrounded by a very acid aril. " (description of the genus) "Fruiting head subglobose, about 10-20 cm in diameter; fruit berry-like, globose, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, with silky hairs, green when unripe, turning red at maturity. Seeds small, numerous, black-brown, with a white or pink, translucent aril." (descvription of the species) (2)Sold as packets of only 15 seeds [unlikely to be 1000 produced per m2]

(1)Ibrahim, H.& Setyowati, F.M., 2002. Etlingera Giseke. [Internet] Record number 575 from TEXTFILE On-line. de Guzman, C.C. and Siemonsma, J.S. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Friday, 07 May 2004. (2)http://www.seedrack.com/04.html

8.02

"For Etlingera elatior, the experiment was performed with 3-month-stored seeds (ambient laboratory conditions). For this species, emergence showed statistical differences with respect to inflorescence maturity and its interaction with pre-soaking treatment. The highest emergence (71%) was obtained for seeds from mature and succulent fruits (red colour) without presoaking, while I occurred in the fifth week, T50 in week 6 and T10-90 took 7 weeks. Seeds stored for 6 or 12 months showed low germination or did not germinate, suggesting recalcitrance. "

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

[regrowth from rhizomes; used as cut flowers and foliage]

8.05

Don’t know