Medinilla scortechinii King. Family - Melastomataceae. Common Name(s) - Medinilla, orange Medinilla, orange spike, coral Medinilla. Synonym(s) - NA.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

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

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

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?

y=-2, ?=-1, n=0

n

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

0

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

2

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

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

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

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

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

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

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:

5

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Medinilla scortechinii...Description: A versatile little shrub that is native to Malaysia and the Philippines. (2)Medinilla is a genus of about 150 species of flowering plants in the family Melastomataceae, native to tropical regions of the Old World from Africa (two species) east through Madagascar (about 70 species) and southern Asia to the western Pacific Ocean islands. The genus was named after J. de Medinilla, governor of the Mariana Islands in 1820.(3)Medinilla scortechinii...recorded in Ben En National Park, Vietnam...In common with much of the north-central region of Vietnam, Ben En National Park has a sub-tropical climate. Winters are warm and dry, summers are hot and wet, and the heaviest rainfall occurs between the months of July and October.

(1)http://hawaiiansunshinenursery.com/catalog/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=184 [Accessed 06 May 2008] (2)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medinilla [Accessed 17 April 2008] (3)Frontier Vietnam (2000) Tordoff, A., Fanning, E. & Grindley, M. (eds) Ben En National Park: A Biodiversity Survey. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 18. Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi and Darwin Initiative.

2.02

Native range well known.

2.03

(1)Hardiness:USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114013/ [Accessed 06 May 2008]

2.04

(1)Medinilla scortechinii...Description: A versatile little shrub that is native to Malaysia and the Philippines. (2)Medinilla is a genus of about 150 species of flowering plants in the family Melastomataceae, native to tropical regions of the Old World from Africa (two species) east through Madagascar (about 70 species) and southern Asia to the western Pacific Ocean islands. The genus was named after J. de Medinilla, governor of the Mariana Islands in 1820.

(1)http://hawaiiansunshinenursery.com/catalog/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=184 [Accessed 06 May 2008] (2)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medinilla [Accessed 17 April 2008]

2.05

(1)Favorite New Flowering Plant: Medinilla scortechinii, Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery, Inc...2008 Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition, Jan. 17-19 2008 [ornamental plant recently gaining increases popularity and attention from industry]

(1)http://www.gpnmag.com/2008-TPIE-A-Mesmerizing-Success-newsPiece15261 [Accessed 08 May 2008]

3.01

No evidence

3.02

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 08 May 2008]

3.03

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 08 May 2008]

3.04

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamem.htm [Accessed 08 May 2008]

3.05

(1)Medinilla venosa is listed as a noxious weed of Hawaii

(1)http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=15

4.01

No evidence

4.02

(1)No evidence of allelopathy in other members of genus Medinilla

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/species/medinilla_cummingii.htm

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Unknown

4.05

(1)None of the Medinilla possess poisonous properties; some are used in dyeing; the gratefully acid leaves of some are cooked and eaten - particularly those of species Medinilla.

(1)1860. Chambers's encyclopaedia; a dictionary of universal knowledge for the people. New York, Appleton.

4.06

Unknown

4.07

(1)None of the Medinilla possess poisonous properties; some are used in dyeing; the gratefully acid leaves of some are cooked and eaten - particularly those of species Medinilla.

(1)1860. Chambers's encyclopaedia; a dictionary of universal knowledge for the people. New York, Appleton.

4.08

As an understory shrub or epiphyte of wetter areas, unlikely to carry fire.

4.09

(1)Sun Exposure: Light Shade (2)Medinilla scortechinii has bright orange flowers and can be grown as a small shrub or a potted plant. It prefers moist, semi-shaded conditions. (3)Prefers bright filtered light or light shade. [Suggests that it will not tolerate deep shade]

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114013/ [Accessed 06 May 2008] (2)http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Medinilla_scortechenii.htm [Accessed 06 May 2008] (3)http://hawaiiansunshinenursery.com/catalog/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=184 [Accessed 06 May 2008]

4.10

(1)Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) (2)well-drained soil; acid pH; or epiphytic

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114013/ [Accessed 06 May 2008] (2)Llamas, K. A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. A Guide To Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

4.11

(1)Sem-terrestrial or epiphytic…tends to be low and spreading.

(1)Llamas, K. A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. A Guide To Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

4.12

Unknown

5.01

Terrestrial or epiphytic

5.02

Melastomataceae

5.03

Melastomataceae

5.04

(1)Sem-terrestrial or epiphytic

(1)Llamas, K. A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. A Guide To Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1)Seed Collecting: Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114013/ [Accessed 06 May 2008]

6.03

Unknown

6.04

Unknown

6.05

(1)The flowers are "magnificent" (showy) when seen but do not produce nectar. They are "buzz" pollinated by bees gathering pollen. [description of M. magnifica with similar floral morphology] (2)Buzz pollination is common, however, some taxa have nectariferous anther connectives, or nectar is produced on the corolla (Medinilla) or even on the top of the ovary (some Miconia), and in these cases the contorted petals form a tube, rather than spreading widely as is common in the family and there is bird pollination (Vogel 1997; Varassin et al. 2007: for nectariferous taxa, see also Renner 1989). [Other members of genus do not require specialist pollinators] (3)Medinilla scortechinii...This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

(1) http://www.botany.wisc.edu/greenhouse/Roomthree-Me.html [30 Nov 2007] (2)http://www.mobot.org/mobot/research/APweb/orders/myrtalesweb2.htm [30 Nov 2007] (3)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114013/ [Accessed 06 May 2008]

6.06

Unknown [able to be propagated by cuttings, but no information on natural vegetative propagation]

6.07

Unknown

7.01

Possibly yes, as the small seeds characteristic of the genus could be stuck to mud on boots, tools [No evidence to suggest this has happened with any species of Medinilla yet]

7.02

(1)Medinilla includes some of the most attractive plants indigenous in Fiji [members of genus grown intentionally as ornamentals] (2)Attendees at January’s Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE) named Medinilla scortechinii ‘Orange’ favorite new flowering plant [increasing popularity as an ornamental]

(1)Smith, A. C. 1985. Flora Vitiensis Nova. A New Flora of Figi (Spermatophytes Only). Volume 3. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai. (2)http://www.greenbeam.com/rs/gm_pdfs/19916_043.pdf [Accessed 06 May 2008]

7.03

Possibly yes, as the seeds could be deposited on tree fern trunks. Other Medinilla have been spread on tree fern logs which are sold for orchid growers.

7.04

(1)Fruit a subglobose berry, the calyx limbs persistent, the seeds numerous [Genus description. Fruit adapted for bird dispersal]

(1)Smith, A. C. 1985. Flora Vitiensis Nova. A New Flora of Figi (Spermatophytes Only). Volume 3. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai.

7.05

Plant grows in wet habitats; some movement of berries/seeds with water is possible

7.06

(1)Fruit a subglobose berry, the calyx limbs persistent, the seeds numerous [Genus description. Fruits of genus Medinilla adapted for bird dispersal]

(1)Smith, A. C. 1985. Flora Vitiensis Nova. A New Flora of Figi (Spermatophytes Only). Volume 3. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai.

7.07

No means of attachment [although small seeds could potentially stick to mud on animals' feet]

7.08

(1)Fruit a subglobose berry, the calyx limbs persistent, the seeds numerous [Genus description. Fruit adapted for bird dispersal]…Fruit is dull purple, at length black [species description]

(1)Smith, A. C. 1985. Flora Vitiensis Nova. A New Flora of Figi (Spermatophytes Only). Volume 3. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai.

8.01

(1)Berry 4-6 celled [genus trait] (2)Fruit a subglobose berry, the calyx limbs persistent, the seeds numerous [Genus description]

(1)Wagner et al. 1990. Manual of the Flowering plants of Hawaii (2)Smith, A. C. 1985. Flora Vitiensis Nova. A New Flora of Figi (Spermatophytes Only). Volume 3. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai.

8.02

Unknown

8.03

Unknown

8.04

[probably not; epiphyte with less developed root structure]

8.05

Unknown