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

Ficus carica; type: Common fig; example cultivars 'Mission', 'Kadota' (=White), 'Magnolia' (syn. 'Brunswick'), 'Brown Turkey', 'Celeste' [edible fig] [NOT including Smyrna fig, ie. 'Calimyrna' grown in California]

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

y

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

y

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

1

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

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

n

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

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

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

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

n

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

n

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

n

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

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

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:

2

Source

Notes

1.01

(1)Storey, W. B. "Fig. Ficus carica." (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html

(1)"The centre of origin of F. carica is probably the fertile region of southern Arabia. No date is known for domestication but the area of cultivation gradually spread to encompass all the countries of south-western Asia and the Mediterranean basin. It was carried to all parts of the world following the voyages of Columbus and Magellan. The current objectives of breeding work, mostly in California, USA, are to improve tree and fruit characters of both fig and caprifig with special reference to the commercial production of dried figs and fig paste." (2)The fig is believed to be indigenous to Western Asia and to have been distributed by man throughout the Mediterranean area. It has been cultivated for thousands of years, remnants of figs having been found in excavations of Neolithic sites traced to at least 5,000 B.C. There are many cultivated varieties in each class of figs. In fact, over 700 varietal names are in use but many are synonyms.

1.02

Randall, J.M., & Rice, B.A. 2003. 1998-1999 Survey of Invasive Species on Lands Managed by The Nature Conservancy, http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/survey.html, updated January 2003.

on a list of "those plants which were reported as weeds by a land manager of The Nature Conservancy. Most of these are non-native species, some are native that are invading because of other management practices."

1.03

(1)http://www.tombutt.com/forum/020518.htm (2)Randall, J.M., & Rice, B.A. 2003. 1998-1999 Survey of Invasive Species on Lands Managed by The Nature Conservancy, http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/survey.html, updated January 2003. (3)http://groups.ucanr.org/ceppc/Pest_Plant_List/List_A.htm

(1)invades the Central Valley's riparian forests -- one of the state's most threatened ecosystems (2)on a list of "those plants which were reported as weeds by a land manager of The Nature Conservancy. Most of these are non-native species, some are native that are invading because of other management practices." (3)CalEPPC A2 List - invades Central Valley, foothill, South Coast and Channel Is. riparian woodlands - aggressive invaders that displace natives and disrupt natural habitats.

2.01

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

thought to be native of South-West Asia, but now widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics.
Natural latitude range:
Approximate limits north to south: 30N to 12N

2.02

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?16801 (07 April 2003)

"widely cult. in tropics & subtropics, exact native range obscure"

2.03

(1)CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html (3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/F/ficus_c.cfm (3)http://newcrop.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1996/V3-416.html#Fig (4)http://www.uga.edu/fruit/fig.htm

(1)Natural latitude range:
Approximate limits north to south: 30N to 12N
Climate descriptors:
- Altitude range: 20 - 2950 m
- Mean annual rainfall: 700 - 1250 mm
- Rainfall regime: summer; uniform
- Dry season duration: 1 - 5 months
- Mean annual temperature: 13 - 25C
- Mean maximum temperature of hottest month: 18 - 31C
- Mean minimum temperature of coldest month: 3 - 5C
- Absolute minimum temperature: > -10C (2)In tropical areas generally, figs thrive between 2,600 and 5,900 ft (800-1,800 m). The tree can tolerate 10° to 20° of frost in favorable sites. (3)Hardy in USDA Zones 8-10. (3)The fig tree is tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, has a low chilling requirement, will withstand some frost and is tolerant of drought, although it grows most vigorously with abundant water. (4)In humid areas, figs are prone to diseases

2.04

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

thought to be native of South-West Asia, but now widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics

2.05

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

"widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics"

3.01

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

(1)http://www.tombutt.com/forum/020518.htm (2)Randall, J.M., & Rice, B.A. 2003. 1998-1999 Survey of Invasive Species on Lands Managed by The Nature Conservancy, http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/survey.html, updated January 2003. (3)http://groups.ucanr.org/ceppc/Pest_Plant_List/List_A.htm (4)http://watershed.ucdavis.edu/crg/reports/weedplan.pdf

(1)invades the Central Valley's riparian forests -- one of the state's most threatened ecosystems (2)on a list of "those plants which were reported as weeds by a land manager of The Nature Conservancy. Most of these are non-native species, some are native that are invading because of other management practices." (3)CalEPPC A2 List - invades Central Valley, foothill, South Coast and Channel Is. riparian woodlands - aggressive invaders that displace natives and disrupt natural habitats. (4)rapid growth, often as clonal patches which can dominate the canopy layer.

3.05

Randall, J.M., & Rice, B.A. 2003. 1998-1999 Survey of Invasive Species on Lands Managed by The Nature Conservancy, http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/survey.html, updated January 2003.

Ficus microcarpa is on the list of "those plants which were reported as weeds by a land manager of The Nature Conservancy. Most of these are non-native species, some are native that are invading because of other management practices."

4.01

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.461

no description of these traits

4.02

Jiang WeiBing and Ma Kai (2001). "Effects of extracts from fig (Ficus carica) organs on the germination of seeds and the growth of seedlings of several vegetables and legume crops." Journal of Fruit Science 18(1): 39-42.

AB: "The allelopathy of fig (Ficus carica) on vegetable and legume crops was studied. Treatment with extracts from various organs of fig inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of several vegetables and legume crops, particularly leaf extracts at high concentrations." [lab results, irrelevant to natural plants]

4.03

no evidence

4.04

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html

Fig leaves are used for fodder in India.

4.05

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

"The foliage can be eaten by livestock"

4.06

Papadopoulos, N. T., B. I. Katsoyannos, et al. (2001). "Seasonal and annual occurrence of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Northern Greece." Annals of the Entomological Society of America 94(1): 41-50.

AB: " Peaches and figs were important hosts for breeding the late summer and early autumn generations. "

4.07

(1)Evans, F. J. and R. J. Schmidt (1980). "Plants and plant products that induce contact dermatitis." Planta Medica 38(4): 289-316.(2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html

(1) A review. A detailed account of the plants causing dermatitis due to various types of compounds is given. (a) Mechanical irritants(b) Stinging nettles(c) Phototoxic compounds the furocoumarins in plants such as Dictamnus albus, Ficus carica and Pastinaca sativa; (d) Contact allergens and (e) Primary irritants (2)The latex of the unripe fruits and of any part of the tree may be severely irritating to the skin [problems reported among occupational workers but not home gardeners]

4.08

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/fig.html

succulent trunk and branches

4.09

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.461 (2)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1232.html (3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/F/ficus_c.cfm (4)http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/fig.html

(1)culture: full sun (2)Full Sun (3)Light: Part sun to full sun.(4)Figs require full sun all day to ripen

4.1

(1)CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html

(1)Descriptors
- Soil texture: medium; heavy
- Soil drainage: free
- Soil reaction: acid; neutral; alkaline (2)The fig can be grown on a wide range of soils; light sand, rich loam, heavy clay or limestone, providing there is sufficient depth and food drainage.

4.11

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.461

tree or large shrub

4.12

http://watershed.ucdavis.edu/crg/reports/weedplan.pdf

dense thicket where it grows

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

tree or shrub; Moraceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

tree or large shrub

6.01

no evidence

6.02

(1)Mosallam, H. A. M. (1996). "Germination ecology of seeds extracted from baboon faeces in Al Hada, Taif, Saudi Arabia." Desert Institute Bulletin 46(2): 387- 408. (2)http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/fig/fig.html (3)http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/fig.html (4)http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/15462

(2)Common Fig. These figs develop parthenocarpically without pollination and do not have seeds (3) The edible seeds are numerous and generally hollow, unless pollinated.(4)Common fig- callus.The fruit form without being pollinated,the seeds being empty. [PARTHENOCARPIC]

6.03

no evidence

6.04

Kjellberg, F., P. H. Gouyon, et al. (1987). "The stability of the symbiosis between dioecious figs and their pollinators: a study of Ficus carica L. and Blastophaga psenes L." Evolution 41(4): 693-704.

AB: "dioecious fig Ficus carica"

6.05

Aksu, N. and M. Ozcan (2000). "The fertilization biology of fig (Ficus carica L.)." Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi 15(3): 126-130.

AB: "Pollination in figs is based on a special relationship with Blastophaga psenes."

6.06

(1)CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/15462 (3)Randall and Marinelli. 1996.Invasive plants: Weeds of thhe global garden. Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Science Press.

(1)suckers freely (2)suckers can develop. (3)spread vegetatively

6.07

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.461

"most plants being bearing ar 3 to 4 years of age."

7.01

no evidence

7.02

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

thought to be native of South-West Asia, but now widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics.

7.03

no evidence

7.04

fleshy fruit

7.05

no evidence

7.06

(1)Nogales, M., E. C. Hernandez, et al. (1999). "Seed dispersal by common ravens Corvus corax among island habitats (Canarian Archipelago)." Ecoscience 6(1): 56-61. (2)http://www.prbo.org/Btbf/Backyard.html

AB: "the common raven appears to be an important disperser for nine plant species: Lycium intricatum (Solanaceae), Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae), Rubia fruticosa and Plocama pendula (Rubiaceae), Juniperus turbinata and J. cedrus (Cupressaceae), Phoenix canariensis (Arecaceae), Asparagus pastorianus (Liliaceae), and Myrica faya (Myricaceae)." (2) Bird dispersed [BUT no seeds are known for common figs]

7.07

no evidence

7.08

Mosallam, H. A. M. (1996). "Germination ecology of seeds extracted from baboon faeces in Al Hada, Taif, Saudi Arabia." Desert Institute Bulletin 46(2): 387- 408.

AB: "There was no germination of either treated or untreated Juniperus seeds, while ingestion increased germination in Ficus and decreased it in Opuntia and Rhus. " [BUT no seeds are known for common figs]

8.01

http://www.floridata.com/ref/F/ficus_c.cfm

The wasp is not present in most of North America, so seeds are not produced.

8.02

http://www.crfg.org/tidbits/seedprop.html

seed storage 24+ months (dried) [BUT no seeds are known for common figs]

8.03

Randall and Marinelli. 1996.Invasive plants: Weeds of thhe global garden. Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Science Press.

triclopr applied to cut stumps, or painted onto uncut trunks of smaller trees (up to 3 inch diamater), may require several years treatment

8.04

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/F/ficus_c.cfm

(1)Fig trees are cut back severely in fall or winter, depending on whether the crop is desired the following summer or fall. Branches are often notched to induce lateral branching and increase the yield. (2)Even if frozen, figs often will resprout from the roots and produce a crop the following summer.

8.05

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html (2)http://www.uga.edu/fruit/fig.htm

(1)Fig trees are prone to attack by nematodes (especially Meloidogyne spp.) and, in the tropics, have been traditionally planted close to a wall or building so that the roots can go underneath and escape damage. (2)the main causes of tree death are root knot nematodes