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 deltoidea Jack; mistletoe fig ( Synonyms Ficus diversifolia Blume (1825.)

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

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

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

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

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

y

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

n

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

y

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

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

y

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

y

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:

0

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

Currently, this species is not reproducing sexually in Hawai'i. If the associated pollinator wasp was introduced and successfully established, this species may begin to spread. F. deltoidea is currently not spreading in Hawai'i due to the fact that its pollinator wasp has not yet been introduced.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Country of Origin: Malay archipelago (2)Native range: F. deltoidea is native to S.E. Asia to Borneo, and the Philippines (Brickell and Zuk 1997). Riffle (1998) describes this species as indigenous to the southern Philippines southward and westward to Southeast Asia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These areas are islands located between the Pacific Ocean and the South China sea.

(1)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198800034.html (2)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

2.02

2.03

(1)The vegetation type includes tropical rainforest. Average temperature ranges from over 68 F (20 C) in January to over 86 F (30 C) in July. Average annual rainfall is over 80 in (200 cm) (Hammond 1986). (2)Hardiness: USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C (35° F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5° C (40° F)
(3) Ficus deltoidea is a variable species divided into many varieties. It is common in lowlands and mountains, up to 3200 m altitude, generally occurring as an epiphyte, but as a terrestrial bush on sandy shores and mountain tops and bogs.

(1)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm (2)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/57356/
(3) Rojo, J.P., Pitargue, F.C. & Sosef, M.S.M., 2002. Ficus deltoidea Jack. [Internet] Record number 274 from TEXTFILE On-line. de Padua, L.S., Bunyapraphatsara, N. and Lemmens, R.H.M.J. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Friday, 07 May 2004.

2.04

(1)Country of Origin: Malay archipelago (2)Native range: F. deltoidea is native to S.E. Asia to Borneo, and the Philippines (Brickell and Zuk 1997). Riffle (1998) describes this species as indigenous to the southern Philippines southward and westward to Southeast Asia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These areas are islands located between the Pacific Ocean and the South China sea.

(1)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198800034.html (2)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

2.05

F. deltoidea is one of many species of Ficus cultivated in various parts of the world as a houseplant or as an ornamental shrub. Introduced to Hawaii: Maui, Kauai. Global distribution: F. deltoidea is cultivated in various parts of the world and is grown as a house plant in cooler regions.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

(1) F. pumila and F. rubiginosa are prohibited from propagation, sale and distribution in New Zealand.
(2) F. microcarpa was listed in Category I—(Species that are invading and disrupting native plant communities in Florida. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused. ) F. altissma was listed in Category II—Species that have shown a potential to disrupt native plant communities. These species may become ranked as Category I, but have not yet demonstrated disruption of natural Florida communities.

4.01

No evidence of such structures.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know

4.05

No evidence

4.06

The following fungi were listed to be associated with F. deltoidea: Fusarium sp.: FL - 1
Phyllosticta sp.: FL - 1
Phytophthora sp.: FL - 1 [generalist]
Pythium sp.: FL - 1
Rhizoctonia solani: FL - 1

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

4.07

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/57356

4.08

Probably not - evergreen shrub/small tree.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

4.09

(1) In the summer months at a strong solar radiation easily shade. (2)A lovely houseplant [tolerates low light indoors] (3)will tolerate all but the darkest conditions

(1)http://www.kulturberichte.de/E_topfpflanzenkulturen/ficus_deltoidea/Eficus%20deltoidea.htm (2)http://www.bonsaiweb.com/care/faq/ficus.html (3)http://groups.msn.com/growit/houseplants.msnw

4.1

tolerant of most any soil

http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/ficus.html

4.11

"An evergreen epiphyte or small shrub up to 2 m tall" [epiphytic fig]

Rojo, J.P., Pitargue, F.C. & Sosef, M.S.M., 2002. Ficus deltoidea Jack. [Internet] Record number 274 from TEXTFILE On-line. de Padua, L.S., Bunyapraphatsara, N. and Lemmens, R.H.M.J. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Friday, 07 May 2004.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Mistletoe Ficus is a shrub that reaches a height of six feet.

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198800034.html

5.02

Moraceae

5.03

Moraceae

5.04

Moraceae

6.01

No evidence

6.02

Probably yes, in places where pollinating wasp exists. 'Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible'

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/57356/

6.03

No evidence

6.04

Plants are initially spread by humans who grow the plant for ornament. Because the pollinator wasp is not yet present, F. deltoidea seeds are not viable. [In Hawaii]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

6.05

Pollination: The fruit (syconium or fig) and reproduction systems of species in the genus Ficus are unique. Each species of Ficus has an associated species of agaonid wasp (Hymenoptera: Chalcoidea: Agaonidae). Ficus species can only be pollinated by their associated agaonid wasps and in turn, the wasps can only lay eggs within their associated Ficus fruit.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

6.06

produces aerial roots but not a means of vegetative fragmentatino

6.07

No infromation on growth rate

7.01

no evidence - seeds enclosed in syngonium; would be difficult to accidentally transport

7.02

(1)It is used as a ornamental plant in the tropics or in the home and conservatories. This species yields natural rubber, very valuable economicaly. (2)F. deltoidea is cultivated as a houseplant for its attractive foliage. It is said to be one of the only Ficus species that will produce fruits when cultivated indoors

(1)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198800034.html (2)http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

7.03

Probably not - minute seeds but the fruits are not involved in any trade. No evidence that the speceis inhabits agricultural fields.

7.04

Dispersal: Plants are initially spread by humans who grow the plant for ornament. Because the pollinator wasp is not yet present, F. deltoidea seeds are not viable. Other species of Ficus that do have wasps present are spread by fruit eating birds. Various birds observed by the authors foraging and roosting in other Ficus trees on Maui include mynah birds (Acridotheres tristis tristis), blue faced doves (Geopelia striata), lace necked doves (Streptopelia chinensis), Japanese white-eye (Zosterops japonicus), and house sparrows (Passer domesticus), though there are probably more. Other animals, such as pigs, rodents, parrots, and monkeys may be capable of spreading fruit.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

7.05

Dispersal: Plants are initially spread by humans who grow the plant for ornament. Because the pollinator wasp is not yet present, F. deltoidea seeds are not viable. Other species of Ficus that do have wasps present are spread by fruit eating birds. Various birds observed by the authors foraging and roosting in other Ficus trees on Maui include mynah birds (Acridotheres tristis tristis), blue faced doves (Geopelia striata), lace necked doves (Streptopelia chinensis), Japanese white-eye (Zosterops japonicus), and house sparrows (Passer domesticus), though there are probably more. Other animals, such as pigs, rodents, parrots, and monkeys may be capable of spreading fruit.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

7.06

Dispersal: Plants are initially spread by humans who grow the plant for ornament. Because the pollinator wasp is not yet present, F. deltoidea seeds are not viable. Other species of Ficus that do have wasps present are spread by fruit eating birds. Various birds observed by the authors foraging and roosting in other Ficus trees on Maui include mynah birds (Acridotheres tristis tristis), blue faced doves (Geopelia striata), lace necked doves (Streptopelia chinensis), Japanese white-eye (Zosterops japonicus), and house sparrows (Passer domesticus), though there are probably more. Other animals, such as pigs, rodents, parrots, and monkeys may be capable of spreading fruit.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

7.07

no means of attachment

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

7.08

bird dispersal

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

8.01

Spherical to round figs, to 1/2 in (1.5 cm)across, ripening from dull yellow to orange and red, are freely produced in pairs." (Brickell and Zuk 1997). Seeds are minute.

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

8.02

Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible

http://plantsdatabase.com/go/57356/

8.03

Chemical control: "Fig trees are particularly sensitive to triclopyr herbicides as a basal or cut-stump treatment. Trees found growing on concrete or rock structures should be treated with herbicide while young to avoid costly structural damage. Use extreme caution when applying herbicide to figs growing as epiphytes to ensure that the poison does not contact the host tree. When exotic figs germinate high in the branches of large trees in natural forest communities, it may be extraordinarily difficult to get close enough to the fig to treat it." (Hammer 1996).

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/ficus_deltoidea.htm

8.04

Don’t know

8.05

Don’t know