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
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
Euphorbia cotinifolia
RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -2
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Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i. Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service Information on
Risk Assessments |
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Euphorbia cotinifolia (Euphorbia cotinoides Miq.); red spurge, Mexican shrubby spurge, Carribean copper plant |
Answer |
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|
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 |
|
|
2.04 |
Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates |
y=1, n=0 |
|
|
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 |
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 |
y |
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
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 |
n |
|
6.07 |
Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1 |
See left |
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|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
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Total score: |
-2 |
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Supporting data:
|
Notes |
Source |
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1.01 |
No evidence |
|
|
1.02 |
(1)Native to Surinam/Amazon region of South America.
(2)Northern America: Mexico [s. (possibly natzd.)] |
(1)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http:// |
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1.03 |
No evidence |
|
|
2.01 |
(1)Native to Surinam/Amazon region of South America.
(2)Northern America: Mexico [s. (possibly natzd.)] |
(1)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http:// |
|
2.02 |
Cultivated elsewhere. |
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Euphorbia+cotinifolia |
|
2.03 |
Planted specimens collected 300-1800 m elevation in use as living fence post, but not as naturalized plants |
http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast |
|
2.04 |
(1)Native to Surinam/Amazon region of South America.
(2)Northern America: Mexico [s. (possibly natzd.)] |
(1)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http:// |
|
2.05 |
Cultivated elsewhere. |
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Euphorbia+cotinifolia |
|
3.01 |
(1)Native to Surinam/Amazon region of South America.
(2)Northern America: Mexico [s. (possibly natzd.)] |
(1)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http:// |
|
3.02 |
No evidence |
|
|
3.03 |
Listed as "present" in Venezuela (native range) but no evidence of an economic weed there |
Holm et al. 1997. An electronic atlas of weeds and invasive species. Version 1. CD-ROM database. |
|
3.04 |
No evidence |
|
|
3.05 |
E. helioscopia, E. heterophylla and E. hirta are listed as principal weeds in several countries. |
Holm et al. 1997. An electronic atlas of weeds and invasive species. Version 1. CD-ROM database. |
|
4.01 |
No evidence |
|
|
4.02 |
No evidence |
|
|
4.03 |
No evidence |
|
|
4.04 |
'Euphorbia species generally are highly unpalatable, but animals may eat them due to lack of good forage. Drying does not destroy the toxicity of the plant, and Euphorbia in hay may be slightly more palatable to livestock.' |
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/toxic/crown/crown2.htm |
|
4.05 |
(1) AB: Feeding experiments were performed with the
following plants: Allamanda cathartica , Nerium oleander , Thevetia
peruviana , Codiaeum sp., Euphorbia cotinifolia , E. pulcherrima , E.
tirucalli , Datura arboreae , Colocasia antiquorum , Dieffenbachia picta [D.
maculata ], Monstera deliciosa , Philodendron hastatum , P. selloum [P.
bipinnatifidum ], Scindapsus aureus [Epipremnum pinnatum ], Rhododendron
ledifolium , R. indicum and Malaviscus arboreus . Four of the plants were
lethal: A. cathartica , N. oleander , T. peruviana and R. indicum . Severe
poisoning was produced by E. pulcherrima and R. ledifolium ; moderate
poisoning was caused by D. arborea , C. antiquorum and D. picta . The other
plants were non-toxic or only slightly toxic. The toxic and lethal doses and
the toxicology are described. |
Tokarnia, C. H.; Armién, A. G.; Peixoto, P. V.; Barbosa, J.
D.; Brito, M. F.; Döbereiner, J. (1996) Experimental study on the toxicity
of some ornamental plants in cattle. [FT: Estudo experimental sobre a
toxidez de algumas plantas ornamentais em bovinos.] Pesquisa Veterinária
Brasileira, 1996, Vol.16, No.1, pp.5-20, 29 ref. |
|
4.06 |
Puccinia euphorbiae was listed to be assosiated with this
species. |
http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm |
|
4.07 |
(1)Latex is toxic. 'Lethal Dose: Not found in literature.' Symptoms of poisoning same as Euphorbia milii. (2)Contact with the white, milky sap may cause severe blistering as well as intense pain to open cuts or eyes. Honey made from the flowers of these plants may be toxic. (3)Several Euphorbia species are listed as toxic. (4)'Feeding experiments were performed with the following plants: Allamanda cathartica , Nerium oleander , Thevetia peruviana , Codiaeum sp., Euphorbia cotinifolia , E. pulcherrima , E. tirucalli , Datura arboreae , Colocasia antiquorum , Dieffenbachia picta [D. maculata ], Monstera deliciosa , Philodendron hastatum , P. selloum [P. bipinnatifidum ], Scindapsus aureus [Epipremnum pinnatum ], Rhododendron ledifolium , R. indicum and Malaviscus arboreus . Four of the plants were lethal: A. cathartica , N. oleander , T. peruviana and R. indicum . Severe poisoning was produced by E. pulcherrima and R. ledifolium ; moderate poisoning was caused by D. arborea , C. antiquorum and D. picta . T |
(1)http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http:// |
|
4.08 |
a small shrubby tree [potential is dense plantings, but seems to prefer moist habitats |
|
|
4.09 |
(1)Exposure full sun. (2)It prefers full sun. (3) Partially shaded places |
(1)http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=616 (2)http://green.reinyday.com/trees/euphc.html (3)Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.200 |
|
4.1 |
"moist soil " |
Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.200 |
|
4.11 |
Probably not - not a vine. |
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=616 |
|
4.12 |
No evidence |
|
|
5.01 |
This is a deciduous tropical shrub that will grow to 15 feet tall and can be trained as a small tree. |
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=616 |
|
5.02 |
Euphorbiaceae |
|
|
5.03 |
Euphorbiaceae |
|
|
5.04 |
Euphorbiaceae |
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|
6.01 |
Photograph of flowering plants. |
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?strLetter=E&plant_id=616&page=4 |
|
6.02 |
Propagation by seed, stakes |
http://www.green-seeds.com/living_fence.html |
|
6.03 |
No evidence |
|
|
6.04 |
No evidence |
|
|
6.05 |
Following probably suggests that most Euphorbias are insect pollinated. 'The rim of the cyathium also bears one-several, greenish nectar glands that are attractive to insect pollinators. In some species the glands are subtended by petal-like bracts (petaloid appendages). Poinsettias typically have only one greenish gland per cyathium and no petaloid appendages. This flower plan is quite different from the typical floral diagram above, but it is the basic theme in virtually all members of the amazing genus Euphorbia.' |
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/trmar98.htm |
|
6.06 |
No evidence |
|
|
6.07 |
Don’t know |
|
|
7.01 |
No evidence |
|
|
7.02 |
Ornamental plant. |
http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/thaieuph/ThEuphorbia.htm#Euphorbia%20cotinifolia |
|
7.03 |
No evidence |
|
|
7.04 |
No evidence regarding propagule morphology and dispersal [schizocarp probably gravity dispersed like many other Euphorbia] |
|
|
7.05 |
no evidence that the species inhabits coastal or riverine or stream habitats. |
|
|
7.06 |
fruit a schizocarp [dry] |
Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.200 |
|
7.07 |
fruit a schizocarp [dry] |
|
|
7.08 |
no evidence of consumption |
|
|
8.01 |
Fruits c. 4 mm in diam., sparsely hairy to glabrous. Seeds c. 2.5 by 2 mm, brown, foveolate, ecarunculate. (2) [?based on genus description, only 2-3 seeds/fruit; from the pictures shown in the book, the solitary flowers are not abundant] |
http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/thaieuph/ThEuphorbia.htm#Euphorbia%20cotinifolia (2) Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. |
|
8.02 |
Probably not - seeds relatively small. 'Fruits c. 4 mm in diam., sparsely hairy to glabrous. Seeds c. 2.5 by 2 mm, brown, foveolate, ecarunculate.' |
http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/thaieuph/ThEuphorbia.htm#Euphorbia%20cotinifolia |
|
8.03 |
No evidence that the species is being controlled for. |
|
|
8.04 |
often grown as a living fence-post [demonstrates that it survives severe pruning to maintiain fenceposts] |
http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast |
|
8.05 |
Don’t know |
|
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