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

Otacanthus caeruleus Lindley (Brazilian snapdragon, Amazon Blue)

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

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

n

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

n

4.1

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

y=1, n=0

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

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

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

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

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

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

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

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:

-4

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

No evidence

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Origin: Brazil (2)Origin: Brazil

(1)http://ukrop.info/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=OTOCANTHUS_COERULEUS (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Acanthaceae/Otacanthus_caeruleus.html

2.02

Brazilian snapdragon, Otacanthus azureus (Scrophulariaceae), is an uncommon tropical plant that has been sold as a novelty flowering pot plant in the U.S. for a few years.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:YVYbsmImnRIJ:
www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/anderson/otacanthus.pdf+Brazilian+snapdragon&hl=en

2.03

USDA: 10-12

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Acanthaceae/Otacanthus_caeruleus.html

2.04

(1)Origin: Brazil (2)Origin: Brazil

(1)http://ukrop.info/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=OTOCANTHUS_COERULEUS (2)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Acanthaceae/Otacanthus_caeruleus.html

2.05

(1) Brazilian snapdragon, Otacanthus azureus (Scrophulariaceae), is an uncommon tropical plant that has been sold as a novelty flowering pot plant in the U.S. for a few years. (2) Japan (3)Federated States of Micronesia (4)South Africa (5)Madagascar

(1) http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:YVYbsmImnRIJ:
www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/anderson/otacanthus.pdf+Brazilian+snapdragon&hl=en
(2) Takeuchi, J. , Horie, H. (1999) First occurrence of stem and root rots in perennial spiraea and Otacanthus caeruleus caused by Rhizoctonia solani in Japan. Annual Report of the Kanto-Tosan Plant Protection Society, 1999, No. 46, pp. 53-55 (3)http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/botany/1999/vhp/rosnak03.html (4)www.dispatch.co.za/2000/01/15/features/GARDEN.HTM (5)http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_vast?ssdp=00806716

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

fragrant foliage

Whistler, W.A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon

4.05

No evidence

4.06

No evidence regarding associated pests or pathogens.

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

4.07

No evidence

4.08

requires moist soils [wet habitat]

Whistler, W.A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon

4.09

(1)Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade (2)Plant in full sun to partial shade

(1)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Acanthaceae/Otacanthus_caeruleus.html (2)http://www.american-farms.com/text_plant_pages/otacanthus.htm

4.1

Prefers acid soil.

http://ukrop.info/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=OTOCANTHUS_COERULEUS

4.11

O. coeruleus is a perennial herb or sub-shrub, 80-160 cm tall, with large violet-blue flowers in clusters of up to 20, which last for several weeks.

Billiet, F. / Kew Magazine, 1991, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 163-167, 5 ref.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Scrophulariaceae

5.02

Scrophulariaceae

5.03

Scrophulariaceae

5.04

O. coeruleus is a perennial herb or sub-shrub, 80-160 cm tall, with large violet-blue flowers in clusters of up to 20, which last for several weeks.

Billiet, F. / Kew Magazine, 1991, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 163-167, 5 ref.

6.01

Ronse (2001) reported that this plant seems to flower year around in its native range in Brazil.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:YVYbsmImnRIJ:
www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/anderson/otacanthus.pdf+Brazilian+snapdragon&hl=en

6.02

Don’t know

6.03

Don’t know

6.04

Don’t know

6.05

long narrow corolla tube with tiny anthers, appear to require specist polliator

http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/botany/1999/vhp/rosnak03.html

6.06

No evidence of vegetative propagation in the wild.

6.07

sold as "Specialty Annuals"

http://www.linders.com/products/annuals/annuals-article-s.shtml?id=15854&table=products

7.01

[grows in wet areas; small seed could be dispersed with mud on shoes]

7.02

(1)Ornamental. 'Free branching spreading small shrub with bluish mauve flowers with white eye. Leaves are very fragrant resembling pine scent. Everbloomer' (2)Brazilian snapdragon is a unique item for cut flower bouquets and arrangements. Florists and consumers will like the striking form and color.

(1)http://ukrop.info/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=OTOCANTHUS_COERULEUS (2)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:YVYbsmImnRIJ:
www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/anderson/otacanthus.pdf+Brazilian+snapdragon&hl=en

7.03

no evidence

7.04

fruti a capsule infrequently formed in cultivation [small seeds but no evidence of adaptation to wind; gravity dispersal]

Whistler, W.A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon

7.05

fruti a capsule infrequently formed in cultivation [grows in wet habitats, seeds could be moved with water]

Whistler, W.A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon

7.06

fruti a capsule infrequently formed in cultivation [dry capsule, not attractive to birds]

Whistler, W.A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon

7.07

fruti a capsule infrequently formed in cultivation [no means of attachement]

Whistler, W.A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon

7.08

fruti a capsule infrequently formed in cultivation [no evidence that it is eaten]

Whistler, W.A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon

8.01

fruti a capsule infrequently formed in cultivation

Whistler, W.A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon

8.02

no evidence

8.03

No evidence that the speceis is being controlled for.

8.04

Not frost tolerant but Otacanthus should return after dying-back; May be pruned to maintain more compact shape and size.

http://www.american-farms.com/text_plant_pages/otacanthus.htm

8.05

Don’t know