Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels Family - Euphorbiaceae. Common Names(s) - gooseberry-tree, Otaheite-gooseberry, cerisier de Tahiti, surette, cerejeira-do-Taiti, grosellero, guinda. Synonym(s) - Cicca disticha L., Cicca nodiflora Lam., Phyllanthus distichus (L.) Müll. Arg.

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

y

3.01

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

y

2

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

n

0

4.10

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

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

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

n

-1

6.07

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

See left

4

-1

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

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-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:

4

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence of domestication.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Widely cultivated in Malesia. Possibly native to N.E. Brazil. (2) Native to southern Asia, P. acidus is also naturalized in tropical America. (3) According to Morton (1987), Phyllanthus acidus, Otaheite or Malay gooseberry, is believed to have originated in Madagascar and is adventive in the Caribbean. (4) This species is believed to have originated in Madagascar and to have been carried to the East Indies. Quisumbing says that it was introduced, into the Philippines in prehistoric times and is cultivated throughout those islands but not extensively. It is more commonly grown in Indonesia, South Vietnam and Laos, and frequently in northern Malaya, and in India in home gardens. The tree is a familiar one in villages and on farms in Guam, where the fruit is favored by children, and occurs in Hawaii and some other Pacific Islands.

(1) Shaw, H. K. A. 1982. "The Euphorbiaceae of Central Malesia (Celebes, Moluccas. Lesser Sunda Is.)." Kew Bulletin 37(1): 1-40. (2) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (3) Brown J.W. 2008. Review of the neotropical genus Cacocharis Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutini), with a new synonymy and comments on its host plants and geographic distribution. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 110 (3):533-542.

2.02

(1) Widely cultivated in Malesia. Possibly native to N.E. Brazil. (2) Native to southern Asia, P. acidus is also naturalized in tropical America. (3) According to Morton (1987), Phyllanthus acidus, Otaheite or Malay gooseberry, is believed to have originated in Madagascar and is adventive in the Caribbean.

(1) Shaw, H. K. A. 1982. "The Euphorbiaceae of Central Malesia (Celebes, Moluccas. Lesser Sunda Is.)." Kew Bulletin 37(1): 1-40. (2) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (3) Brown J.W. 2008. Review of the neotropical genus Cacocharis Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutini), with a new synonymy and comments on its host plants and geographic distribution. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 110 (3):533-542.

2.03

(1) Grows in tropical to subtropical moist areas, up to 1,000 m altitude. (2) Phyllanthus acidus is subtropical to tropical, being sufficiently hardy to survive and fruit in Tampa, Florida, where cold spells are more severe than in the southeastern part of the state. It thrives up to an elevation of 3,000 ft (914 m) in El Salvador. (3) USDA hardiness zones: 10a-11. (4) Phyllanthus acidus grows well in the tropics at low and medium altitudes in places with a short or prolonged dry season. The tree prefers hot, humid tropical lowlands. In north-eastern Brazil, the tree has been found in coastal forest and in Southeast Asia it is cultivated on humid sites, up to 1,000 m altitude.

(1) http://www.tistr.or.th/RAP/publication/1999/1999_13_rome.pdf [Cited 2009 April 23]. (2) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24]. (3) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/71282/ [Cited 2009 April 24]. (4) http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=18020 [Cited 2009 April 24].

2.04

(1) Widely cultivated in Malesia. Possibly native to N.E. Brazil. (2) Native to southern Asia, P. acidus is also naturalized in tropical America. (3) According to Morton (1987), Phyllanthus acidus, Otaheite or Malay gooseberry, is believed to have originated in Madagascar and is adventive in the Caribbean.

(1) Shaw, H. K. A. 1982. "The Euphorbiaceae of Central Malesia (Celebes, Moluccas. Lesser Sunda Is.)." Kew Bulletin 37(1): 1-40. (2) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (3) Brown J.W. 2008. Review of the neotropical genus Cacocharis Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutini), with a new synonymy and comments on its host plants and geographic distribution. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 110 (3):533-542.

2.05

(1) Widely cultivated in Malesia. Possibly native to N.E. Brazil. (2) Native to southern Asia, P. acidus is also naturalized in tropical America. (3) According to Morton (1987), Phyllanthus acidus, Otaheite or Malay gooseberry, is believed to have originated in Madagascar and is adventive in the Caribbean.

(1) Shaw, H. K. A. 1982. "The Euphorbiaceae of Central Malesia (Celebes, Moluccas. Lesser Sunda Is.)." Kew Bulletin 37(1): 1-40. (2) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (3) Brown J.W. 2008. Review of the neotropical genus Cacocharis Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutini), with a new synonymy and comments on its host plants and geographic distribution. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 110 (3):533-542.

3.01

(1) Phyllanthus acidus has long been naturalized in southern Mexico and the lowlands of southern Mexico. (2) It was introduced into Jamaica from Timor in 1793 and has been casually spread throughout the Caribbean islands and to the Bahamas and Bermuda. It has long been naturalized in southern Mexico and the lowlands of Central America, and is occasionally grown in Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam, Peru and Brazil. Formerly an escape from cultivation in South Florida, there are now only scattered specimens remaining here as curiosities.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (2) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24].

3.02

No evidence of control/management. (1) Listed in PIER database as invasive on Christmas Island, Australia and Cousin Island the Seychelles.

(1) http://www.hear.org/pier/species/phyllanthus_acidus.htm [Cited 2009 April 24]

3.03

No evidence of control/management. (1) Listed in PIER database as invasive on Christmas Island, Australia and Cousin Island the Seychelles.

(1) http://www.hear.org/pier/species/phyllanthus_acidus.htm [Cited 2009 April 24]

3.04

No evidence of control/management. (1) Listed in PIER database as invasive on Christmas Island, Australia and Cousin Island the Seychelles.

(1) http://www.hear.org/pier/species/phyllanthus_acidus.htm [Cited 2009 April 24]

3.05

(1) Phyllanthus miruri is a weed or agricultural areas and disturbed places in India. (2) Phyllanthus tenellus is a weed of greenhouses and container ornamentals.

(1) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/CropFactSheets/phyllanthus.html [Cited 2009 April 24]. (2) http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/pylte.htm [Cited 2009 April 24].

4.01

(1) No spines, thorns, or burrs.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

(1) Not parasitic.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

4.04

Unknown

4.05

(1) Phyllanthus acidus is used in the Samahni Valley, Pakistan as a medicinal for snakebite in domestic animals. (2) No evidence of toxicity in PubMed. (3) No evidence of toxicity in TOXNET.

(1) http://web.ebscohost.com.eres.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=103&sid=5ced9b41-104e-441f-8e3a-fafccdeab3c2%40sessionmgr107&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=lah&AN=20063083261 [Cited 2009 April 20]. (2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez [Cited 2009 April 24]. (3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez [Cited 2009 April 24].

4.06

Unknown

4.07

(1) Fresh acid fruits eaten raw with sugar, made into drink or cooked. Young leaves eaten as vegetable. Root has medicinal properties. (2) Ethnobotancial, laboratory and clinical data were gathered on species in the Phyllanthus genus to evaluate potential leads for natural products research. Extracts of Phyllanthus acidus were tested for its effects on high blood pressure. The fruit of P. acidus is edible, but the bark of the root is toxic to the central nervous system. (3) No evidence of toxicity in PubMed. (4) No evidence of toxicity in TOXNET.

(1) http://www.tistr.or.th/RAP/publication/1999/1999_13_rome.pdf [Cited 2009 April 23] .(2) Unander DW, Webster GL, Blumberg BS.1995. Usage and bioassays in Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae). IV. Clustering of antiviral uses and other effects. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 45(1):1-18. (3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez [Cited 2009 April 24]. (4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez [Cited 2009 April 24].

4.08

[single-trunk tree grows in moist areas]

4.09

(1) Thrives in full sun. (2) Full sun.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (2) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/71282/ [Cited 2009 April 24].

4.10

(1) The tree grows on a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers moist sites. (2) Tolerates a variety of soils including very sandy soils.

(1) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24]. (2) http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=18020 [Cited 2009 April 24].

4.11

(1) Evergreen tree, 10-30' tall.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

4.12

no evidence

5.01

(1) Terrestrial.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

5.02

(1) Euphorbiaceae.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

5.03

(1) Euphorbiaceae.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

5.04

(1) Evergreen tree.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1) Usually propagated by seed. (2) The tree is generally grown from seed.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (2) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24].

6.03

Unknown

6.04

Unknown

6.05

(1) Ants pollinate Phyllanthus fraternus, P. urinaria and P. simplex in India. (2) Phyllanthus bourgeoisii and P. aeneus were pollinated by Epicephala moths in New Caledonia, an obligate, seed-parasitic pollination mutualism.

(1) http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/jan252009/283.pdf [Cited 2009 April 24]. (2) Kawakita A, Kato M. 2004. Evolution of obligate pollination mutualism in New Caledonian Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae). American Journal of Botany. 91(3):410-415.

6.06

(1) Plants can be propagated vegetatively by greenwood cuttings, air layers, or budding.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI.

6.07

(1) Phyllanthus acidus is usually propagated by seed, with plants grown this way bearing fruit in four years. (2) Seedlings will produce a substantial crop in 4 years.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (2) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24].

7.01

No external means of attachment. (1) The fruit is oblate with 6 to 8 ribs; is 3/8 to 1 in (1-2.5 cm) wide; pale-yellow to nearly white when fully ripe; waxy, fleshy, crisp, juicy and highly acid. Tightly embedded in the center is a hard, ribbed stone containing 4 to 6 seeds.

(1) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24].

7.02

(1) Phyllanthus acidus is common in household gardens in Papeete, Tahiti and in urban villages on some atolls in the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia, in New Caledonia and in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

(1) http://www.ruaf.org/files/Urban%20Gardening%20on%20the%20Small%20Islands%20of%20the%20Pacific.pdf[Cited 2009 April 24].

7.03

Not likely. (1) The fruit is oblate with 6 to 8 ribs; is 3/8 to 1 in (1-2.5 cm) wide; pale-yellow to nearly white when fully ripe; waxy, fleshy, crisp, juicy and highly acid. Tightly embedded in the center is a hard, ribbed stone containing 4 to 6 seeds.

(1) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24].

7.04

No adaptations for wind dispersal. (1) The fruit is oblate with 6 to 8 ribs; is 3/8 to 1 in (1-2.5 cm) wide; pale-yellow to nearly white when fully ripe; waxy, fleshy, crisp, juicy and highly acid. Tightly embedded in the center is a hard, ribbed stone containing 4 to 6 seeds. (2) The fruits often explosively dehisce dispersing their seeds.

(1) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24]. (2) http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=18020 [Cited 2009 April 24].

7.05

(1) The fruit is oblate with 6 to 8 ribs; is 3/8 to 1 in (1-2.5 cm) wide; pale-yellow to nearly white when fully ripe; waxy, fleshy, crisp, juicy and highly acid. Tightly embedded in the center is a hard, ribbed stone containing 4 to 6 seeds. (2) The fruits often explosively dehisce dispersing their seeds.

7.06

[fleshy edible fruits; bird syndrome] (1) The fruit is oblate with 6 to 8 ribs; is 3/8 to 1 in (1-2.5 cm) wide; pale-yellow to nearly white when fully ripe; waxy, fleshy, crisp, juicy and highly acid. Tightly embedded in the center is a hard, ribbed stone containing 4 to 6 seeds. (2) The fruits often explosively dehisce dispersing their seeds.

(1) http://www.tistr.or.th/RAP/publication/1999/1999_13_rome.pdf [Cited 2009 April 23].

7.07

No external means of attachment. (1) The fruit is oblate with 6 to 8 ribs; is 3/8 to 1 in (1-2.5 cm) wide; pale-yellow to nearly white when fully ripe; waxy, fleshy, crisp, juicy and highly acid. Tightly embedded in the center is a hard, ribbed stone containing 4 to 6 seeds. (2) The fruits often explosively dehisce dispersing their seeds.

7.08

[fleshy edible fruits; bird syndrome] (1) The fruit is oblate with 6 to 8 ribs; is 3/8 to 1 in (1-2.5 cm) wide; pale-yellow to nearly white when fully ripe; waxy, fleshy, crisp, juicy and highly acid. Tightly embedded in the center is a hard, ribbed stone containing 4 to 6 seeds. (2) The fruits often explosively dehisce dispersing their seeds.

(1) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24]. (2) http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=18020 [Cited 2009 April 24].

8.01

(1) Fruiting occurs throughout the year, but there is typically a single heavy crop (sometimes two) annually. Bears fruit prolifically on the leeward side of O‘ahu. (2) The fruits develop so densely that they form spectacular masses. (3) P. acidus trees start producing a substantial crop at the age of 4 years. (4) No fruit is borne in more abundance than the Otaheite gooseberry. (Website has a picture of branch with fruit.

(1) Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, HI. (2) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24]. (3) http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=18020 [Cited 2009 April 24]. (4) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 27].

8.02

Unknown

8.03

Unknown

8.04

Unknown

8.05

Unknown (1) Phyllanthus acidus is prone to attack by the phyllanthus caterpillar in Florida. This pest eats the bark and also the young leaves, causing total defoliation in a few days if not controlled by pesticides. (2) Caterpillars of Parallelia absentimacula and P. joviana feed on the cerme in Indonesia. The only serious pest is the oriental fruitfly (Dacus dorsalis) which infests maturing fruits

(1) http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/otaheite_gooseberry.html [Cited 2009 April 24]. (2) http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=18020 [Cited 2009 April 24].