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

Heliconia caribaea (wild plantain, lobster claw)

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

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

n

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

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

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

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:

-1

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

No evidence.

1.03

No evidence.

2.01

Native to West Indies, Columbia, Central America.

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500554.html

2.02

2.03

1)USDA zones 10B to 11 2)minimum temperature of 65 degrees

1)http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500554.html 2)http://www.botanyworld.com/heliconia.html

2.04

Native to West Indies, Columbia, Central America.

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500554.html

2.05

No evidence.

Bailey, L.H. 1949. Manual of cultivated plants. Macmillan Company. New York.

3.01

Naturalized in oriental tropics.' [reference seems to use naturalized in the context of "widely grown"]

Bailey, L.H. 1949. Manual of cultivated plants. Macmillan Company. New York.

3.02

No evidence.

3.03

No evidence.

3.04

No evidence.

3.05

1)Heliconia psittseorum is a principal weed in Trinidada (although this record is doubtful). 2)Tacana (Heliconia bihai) is a common weed in rolling pasture areas. It propagates from both rhizomes and seed and once established in dense stands, competes strongly with established pastures, often eliminating them.

1)An electronic atlas of weeds and invasive species. CD-ROM database. 2)Argel, P.; Villegas, C.; Doll, J. 1977. Chemical control of Heliconia bihai in pastures. Control quimico de tacana (Heliconia bihai) en potreros. Revista COMALFI, , Vol.4, No.1, pp.32-36

4.01

No evidence.

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500554.html

4.02

No evidence.

4.03

No evidence.

4.04

No information

4.05

No evidence.

4.06

This site lists 8 species of fungi to be associated with H. caribaea. Cercospora sp.:
Hendersonia sp.: Venezuela - 8361
Meliola heliconiae: Puerto Rico - 5824; Virgin Islands - 5824
Mycosphaerella sp.: Cuba - 8361
Pestalotiopsis sp.: Venezuela - 8361
Phyllosticta dardanoi: Cuba - 8361
Puccinia heliconiae: Puerto Rico - 5824; Virgin Islands - 5824
Verticillium theobromae: Cuba - 8361

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

4.07

No evidence.

4.08

Herbaceous, tropical evergreen found in moist habitats

4.09

1)Full sun to shade 2)Full sun to 60% shade

1)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Heliconiaceae/Heliconia_caribaea.html 2)http://www.alohatropicals.com/hc-11.html

4.1

1)moist, well-drained soil 2)It likes rich soil

1)http://maxpages.com/manangd/Heliconia 2)http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/2000/Jul/16/islandlife13.html

4.11

No evidence - not a vine.

4.12

No evidence.

5.01

5.02

5.03

5.04

Rhizomatous plant in the Heliconeaeae

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Heliconiaceae/Heliconia_caribaea.html

6.01

No evidence.

6.02

Propagation is by division or seeds in the spring

http://www.botanyworld.com/heliconia.html

6.03

No information.

6.04

No information.

6.05

1)Humming-bird pollinated. 2)The birds are the sole
pollinators of these plants.

1)Milius, Susan. Science News, 07/22/2000, Vol. 158 Issue 4, p52 2) Brown, Kathryn Science, 07/21/2000, Vol. 289 Issue 5478, p369

6.06

Clump-forming. Propagation is by division or seeds in the spring

http://www.botanyworld.com/heliconia.html

6.07

No information.

7.01

No information on seed size and color.

7.02

yes as it is an attractive ornamental plant.

7.03

large seeds

7.04

drupe

7.05

drupe

7.06

Fruit a blue, 3-seeded drupe

Adams 1972. Flowering plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona.

7.07

drupe

7.08

bird dispered

8.01

a 1-3 seeded drupe

Wagner et al., 1999

8.02

No information on seed longevity.

8.03

Likely, based on the susceptilibity of Heliconia bihai, one of the few weedy plants in this genus:. It was observed that glyphosate (2%) killed 84% of the stand after 90 days but Likely based on susceptibility of was not selective towards the pasture. Next most effective was picloram + 2,4-D amine (2%) and 2,4,5-T + diesel oil (5 + 5% and 5 + 20%). It was always better to mix diesel oil with the growth regulator herbicides than to apply them alone. Another trial for controlling H. bihai and sowing pasture species included dicamba + 2,4-D (2%) amine and it too gave good control.

Argel, P.; Villegas, C.; Doll, J. 1977. Chemical control of Heliconia bihai in pastures. Control quimico de tacana (Heliconia bihai) en potreros. Revista COMALFI, , Vol.4, No.1, pp.32-36

8.04

No information.

8.05

Don’t know.