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

Peperomia obtusifolia; baby rubberplant

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

y

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

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

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

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

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

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

y

Total score:

-4

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

no evidence

1.03

no evidence

2.01

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?27341 (02 October 2002)

Distributional range:
Native:
Northern America: Mexico [s.]
Southern America: Antigua and Barbuda; Belize; Brazil; Costa Rica; Dominica; El Salvador; French Guiana; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Panama; Peru; St. Lucia; Suriname

2.02

2.03

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/pepe_obt.cfm (2)Adams, C.D. Flowering Plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona

comes from the American tropics. It occurs in dense damp tropical hardwood forests and warm sheltered sloughs inside swamps on the Caribbean islands and in South Florida. The plants grow on stumps and tree trunks, in decaying wood and bark in the crevices of trees, or amongst logs and litter on the ground. (2)On rocks and tree trunks, damp sheltered places 1700-3000 ft 

2.04

(1) USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?27341 (02 October 2002) (2)http://www.ftg.fiu.edu/EPAC/endangered.html

Distributional range:
Native:
Northern America: Mexico [s.]
Southern America: Antigua and Barbuda; Belize; Brazil; Costa Rica; Dominica; El Salvador; French Guiana; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Panama; Peru; St. Lucia; Suriname

2.05

(1) Fu, C. H.; Hsieh, H. J.; Yao, J. C. (2001) Southern blight of baby rubber. Plant Protection Bulletin (Taipei), 2001, Vol.43, No.2, pp.133-136, 6 ref.
(2) Nowak, J. S. (2000) Effect of zeolite as an amendment to sphagnum peat on growth and quality of ornamental pot plants. [FT: Wplyw zeolitu jako dodatku do torfu na wzrost i jako doniczkowych rolin ozdobnych.] Zeszyty Naukowe Instytutu Sadownictwa i Kwiaciarstwa w Skierniewicach, 2000, Vol.7, pp.277-284, 10 ref.
(3) Roggero, P.; Ciuffo, M.; Dellavalle, G.; Gotta, P.; Gallo, S.; Peters, D. (1999) Additional ornamental species as hosts of impatiens necrotic spot tospovirus in Italy. Plant Disease, 1999, Vol.83, No.10, p.967, 2 ref.
(4) Svenson, S. E.; Johnston, D. L. (1994) Root and shoot responses of ten foliage species grown in cupric hydroxide treated containers. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, 1994, Vol.107, pp.192-193, 12 ref.
(5) Mortensen, L. M. (1991) The effect of air temperature on the growth of foliage plants. Norw

(1) Taiwan, (2) Poland, (3) Italy, (4) Florida, USA, (5) Norway

3.01

no evidence

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/PEBOBTA.PDF

not known to be invasive

3.05

Bacon, P., P.J. Terry, N. Waltham, & P.Castro S. (1997) An Electronic Atlas of World Weed and Invasive Plants. Version 1.0, 1997. A database based on the original work "A Geographical Atlas of World Weeds" by Holm et al 1979.

P. pellucida was reported as a 'common' weed in Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad.[not an economic weed]

4.01

Flora of North America Editorial Committee. (1993) Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol.3; Oxford University Press
Avaiable at <http://hua.huh.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/Flora/flora.pl?ACT=desc&FLORA_ID=12395&TAXON_ID=233500899>

Herbs , perennial, rhizomatous, erect, decumbent, reclining, or somewhat scandent, simple or sparsely branched, 8-40 cm, mostly glabrous, without black, glandular dots. Leaves alternate; petiole 1/5-1/2, mostly ca. 1/3, length of blade, glabrous. Leaf blade highly variable in size and shape, prominently to obscurely pinnately veined, elliptic, broadly elliptic, or spatulate to ovate, obovate, or very broadly ovate or broadly obovate, 2.2-13 × 1.5-5.5 cm, lateral veins arching-ascending, originating from base to about middle of blade, base attenuate, mostly narrowly to broadly cuneate, rarely slightly acuminate, apex obtuse, rounded, retuse, or notched; surfaces mostly glabrous. Spikes mostly terminal, 1-2, densely flowered, 5.5-23 cm; peduncle with microscopic, spiculelike hairs, mature fruiting spikes 3.5-5.5 mm diam. Fruits sessile, ellipsoid, both ends rounded, 0.8-1.1 × 0.4-0.5 mm, faintly longitudinally striate; beak elongate, 0.5-0.7 mm, filiform above narrowly to broadly conic base, straight or S-shape

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/pepe_obt.cfm

is generally considered safe around pets and children.

4.06

Pinochet, J.; Duarte, O. (1986) Additional list of ornamental foliage plants host of the lesion nematode Pratylenchus coffeae. Nematropica, 1986, Vol.16, No.1, pp.11-19, 21 ref.

AB: Of 44 species and cvs of ornamental foliage plants tested under nursery conditions, Ficus elastica 'Honduras', F. elastica 'Decora', Hippeastrum vittatum, Peperomia obtusifolia and Zebrina pendula were good hosts of P. coffeae. 10 species were poor hosts and the remaining 29, non-hosts. The effects of flooding due to Hurricane Fifi on nematode dissemination from nearby banana plantation are discussed.
[root lesion nematode is a common pest of banana] <http://www.inibap.org/publications/factsheets/pest2_eng.pdf>

4.07

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week186.shtml

They are not poisonous to humans or animals

4.08

succulent

4.09

(1)Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.354 (2)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/PEBOBTA.PDF

(1)"Fertile, moist but wel l drained soils in shady places are preferred." (2)plant grows in the shade

4.1

(1)Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.354 (2)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/PEBOBTA.PDF

(1)"Fertile, moist but well drained soils in shady places are preferred." (2)Soil tolerances: slightly alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam; will thrive in moist, rich, organic soils or less fertile sandy soils. Although preferring high humidity, it must have well-drained conditions to avoid stem and root rot. (3)likes a light, highly organic soil. A mix with lots of chipped bark and peat moss in it is ideal.

4.11

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.353

herb

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

Piperaceae

5.03

herb

5.04

no evidence

6.01

no evidence

6.02

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week186.shtml

no evidence [all information about vegetative propagation ] "propagated by division or from stem cutting in spring."

6.03

no evidence

6.04

no evidence

6.05

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.353

tiny, petal-less flowers on spike.

6.06

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.353

"with prostrate stems rooting at nodes."

6.07

no evidence

7.01

no evidence

7.02

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.353

"widely cultivated"

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.353

fruit a tiny drupe

7.07

(1)Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowing plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 1853pp. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/pepe_obt.cfm

(1)Character of the genus "Fruit ovoid to obovoid or turbinate, 0.5-1.2mm long, papillose-viscid with sessile glands, sometimes ridged or verrucose." [seeds are viscous and possibly attached to animals] (2)The tiny smooth oval fruits develop partially embedded in the spike with their hooked beaks protruding from it. [hooks may attach to animals externally?]

7.08

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.353

fruit a tiny drupe

8.01

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.353

fruit infrequently formed

8.02

very small seeds

8.03

no evidence

8.04

http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/pepe_obt.cfm

it won't hold up where there is foot traffic. but is easily propagated by division

8.05

(1)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/PEBOBTA.PDF (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/pepe_obt.cfm

(1)Peperomia’s main pest problem is mites. Peperomia is susceptible to stem and root rots and leaf spot diseases. (2)vulnerable to several diseases, which tend to spread rapidly through their succulent foliage. Plants with cercospora leaf spot have tan to black raised areas on the undersides of their leaves. Rhizoctonia leaf spot causes mushy dark brown to black irregular leaf spots with concentric raised and indented rings. Sometimes a web forms over the plants. Myrothecium leaf spots are watery areas of black and white rings that appears on wounded areas on the undersides of leaves. <I>Phytophthora parasitica</I> or pythium diseases cause the plants to rot at the soil line with mushy black tissue extending up into the leaves of the plants and down into the roots. The softened outer layers of the roots will then readily separate from the core. <I>Sclerotium rolfsii</I> causes a stem rot characterized by a brown mushy area with round tan brown spots and white fuzz at the soil line. Cuttings are especially vul