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 rubiginosa (Rusty-leaved fig, Port Jackson fig, littleleaf fig)

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

y

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

1

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

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

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

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:

7

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1)Recently naturalized in New Zealand, occupying rock walls, rocky outcrops and tree trunks. (2)Pollinator was introduced

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm (2)Sykes and Garnock-Jones. 1988. Flora of New Zealand Vol IV. Botany Divison, Christchurch NZ

1.03

No evidence

2.01

Native to Australia.

http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm

2.02

Recently naturalized in New Zealand, occupying rock walls, rocky outcrops and tree trunks.

http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm

2.03

(1)Hardiness zones 10B -11. (2) 'It is noted for its ecological range, occurring in diverse habitats including rainforests and dry rocky habitats.' (3)Rusty fig is subject to root rot on poorly drained soils.[less versatile?] (4)Port Jackson fig grows in sandstone and riparian environments in the Sydney region. [In native range, has limited versatility]

(1)Southern Trees. CD-ROM database. And http://www.hortpix.com/pc1835.htm (2)Cook, J. M. and Power, S.A. 1996. Effects of within tree flowering asynchrony on the dynamics of seed and wasp production in a Australian fig species. Journal of Biogeography. 23(4): 487 -493. (3)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST258

2.04

Native to Australia.

http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm

2.05

(1)Introduced to Hawaii, New Zealand, Marshall Islands and Wake Island. (2)South Africa

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm (2)http://onlinedictionary.datasegment.com/word/Ficus%20rubiginosa/

3.01

(1)Recently naturalized in New Zealand, occupying rock walls, rocky outcrops and tree trunks. (2)Pollinator was introduced

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm (2)Sykes and Garnock-Jones. 1988. Flora of New Zealand Vol IV. Botany Divison, Christchurch NZ

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

designated a "National Surveillance Plant Pest" in New Zealand; The sale, propagation and distribution of National Surveillance Pest Plants is prohibited pursuant to Sections 52 and 53 of the Act.

http://www.wrc.govt.nz/lm/pdfs/plant.pdf

3.05

Ficus microcarpa is an environmental weed of Florida

http://www.fleppc.org/99list.htm

4.01

No evidence

http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm

4.02

No evidence

http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm

4.03

No evidence

4.04

No information

4.05

No evidence that it is eaten

4.06

Pleospora herbarum was found to be associated with F. rubiginosa. [Did not find it to be a recognized pest.]

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

4.07

The milky sap of figs was used as a natural latex to cover wounds.

http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/html/Discover/EXPLORE/Aboriginalwalk.html

4.08

shrubby, multi-trunked tree, can grow in dry habitats [possible fire hazard]

4.09

(1)Exposure full sun. (2) full sun, partial sun or partial shade (3)Needs only about 1000 Lux. [refers to bonsai] (4)It is a shade tolerant tree

(1)http://www.cuyamaca.net/oh170/Characteristic%20Pages/Ficus%20rubiginosa.asp (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST258 (3)http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/ficus.html (4)http://www.bearings.nsw.gov.au/resource/species_description_1.html

4.1

(1) Clay, sand, loam, pH alkaline and acidic. (2)Rusty Fig will thrive on a variety of well-drained soils

(1)http://www.cuyamaca.net/oh170/Characteristic%20Pages/Ficus%20rubiginosa.asp (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST258

4.11

A strangler

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ploct99.htm

4.12

No evidence

5.01

35 to 60 feet tall tree.

Southern Trees. CD-ROM database.

5.02

5.03

5.04

6.01

'The trees commonly bear the axillary, geminate fruits profusely, those on different trees varying considerably in size, shape, and surface characters.'

http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm

6.02

Physical Control: Pull seedlings.

http://www.boprc.govt.nz/www/green/weed50.htm

6.03

No information

6.04

'F. rubiginosa sex allocation thus appears more female biased than in any of the outbreeding Panamanian species. This is consistent with the idea that within crown asynchrony permits a degree of self pollination in F. rubiginosa ….' 'While the possibility of self pollination was not directly tested, the female bias in F. rubiginosa sex allocation is consistent with partial selfing as a result of within tree asynchrony.'

Cook, J. M. and Power, S.A. 1996. Effects of within tree flowering asynchrony on the dynamics of seed ans wasp production in a Australian fig species. Journal of Biogeography. 23(4): 487 -493.

6.05

'needs a species-specific specialized pollinating wasp, Pleistodontes imperialis …'

http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm

6.06

Propagation by seed.

http://www.hear.org/pier_v3.3/firub.htm

6.07

No information

7.01

No information on seed size.

7.02

ornamental fig; bonsai

http://www.cuyamaca.net/oh170/Characteristic%20Pages/Ficus%20rubiginosa.asp

7.03

no products

7.04

bird dispersal

7.05

bird dispersal

7.06

(1)fruit does not attract wildlife [florida] (2)Bird-attracting (3)The fig fruits are 12-20 mm in diameter and turn purple when they ripen between February and July. The figs are eaten by native birds and by flying-foxes.

(1)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST258 (2)http://www.cboc.org.au/birdscaping.html (3)http://www.bearings.nsw.gov.au/resource/species_description_1.html

7.07

no means of attachment

7.08

bird dispersal

8.01

small seeded fig

8.02

based on lack of natural seed bank in other Ficus species

http://www.ib.usp.br/gra/ffa/PDF/ffa-exemplo-06.pdf

8.03

Poison standing trees with stump paint herbicide mix poured into holes drilled in the trunk. These holes should be downward sloping and not more than 5 cm apart around the trunk.
Recommended Approach
Stem poisoning is the most cost effective option.

http://www.boprc.govt.nz/www/green/weed50.htm

8.04

No information

8.05

Don’t know.