Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
Piper methysticum
RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: -4
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Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i. Information on Risk Assessments Original risk assessment |
| Piper methysticum (kava, kava-kava, awa, puawa) Family- Piperaceae | Answer | Score | |
| 1.01 | Is the species highly domesticated? | n | 0 |
| 1.02 | Has the species become naturalized where grown? | n | |
| 1.03 | Does the species have weedy races? | 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” | 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) | n | 0 |
| 2.04 | Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates | y | 1 |
| 2.05 | Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2 | y | |
| 3.01 | Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05 | n | -2 |
| 3.02 | Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 3.03 | Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 3.04 | Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 3.05 | Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2) | y | 2 |
| 4.01 | Produces spines, thorns or burrs | n | 0 |
| 4.02 | Allelopathic | y | 1 |
| 4.03 | Parasitic | n | 0 |
| 4.04 | Unpalatable to grazing animals | ||
| 4.05 | Toxic to animals | n | 0 |
| 4.06 | Host for recognized pests and pathogens | n | 0 |
| 4.07 | Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans | ||
| 4.08 | Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems | n | 0 |
| 4.09 | Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle | y | 1 |
| 4.1 | Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island) | n | 0 |
| 4.11 | Climbing or smothering growth habit | n | 0 |
| 4.12 | Forms dense thickets | ||
| 5.01 | Aquatic | n | 0 |
| 5.02 | Grass | n | 0 |
| 5.03 | Nitrogen fixing woody plant | n | 0 |
| 5.04 | Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers) | n | 0 |
| 6.01 | Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat | y | 1 |
| 6.02 | Produces viable seed. | n | -1 |
| 6.03 | Hybridizes naturally | n | -1 |
| 6.04 | Self-compatible or apomictic | n | -1 |
| 6.05 | Requires specialist pollinators | n | 0 |
| 6.06 | Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation | y | 1 |
| 6.07 | Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1 | 2 | 0 |
| 7.01 | Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas) | n | -1 |
| 7.02 | Propagules dispersed intentionally by people | y | 1 |
| 7.03 | Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant | n | -1 |
| 7.04 | Propagules adapted to wind dispersal | n | -1 |
| 7.05 | Propagules water dispersed | ||
| 7.06 | Propagules bird dispersed | n | -1 |
| 7.07 | Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) | n | -1 |
| 7.08 | Propagules survive passage through the gut | n | -1 |
| 8.01 | Prolific seed production (>1000/m2) | n | -1 |
| 8.02 | Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr) | n | -1 |
| 8.03 | Well controlled by herbicides | ||
| 8.04 | Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire | y | 1 |
| 8.05 | Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents) | ||
| Total score: | -4 |
Supporting data:
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Notes |
Reference |
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1.01 |
(1)"Kava kava has a central place in the culture and social customs of the region (Laird 1999).It has been cultivated for over 3,000 years and is used by Pacific islanders in religiousceremonies, courtship rituals and at social gatherings. More than 118 c |
(1)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:hd13yb5k2qAJ:www.wwf.org.uk/ |
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1.02 |
No evidence of the species being naturalized. |
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1.03 |
(1)"Kava kava has a central place in the culture and social customs of the region (Laird 1999).It has been cultivated for over 3,000 years and is used by Pacific islanders in religiousceremonies, courtship rituals and at social gatherings. More than 118 c |
(1)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:hd13yb5k2qAJ: |
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2.01 |
(1)"… with the presumed origin commonly listed as Malesia or New Hebrides. Through an analysis of herbarium specimens, bibliograhic review and detailed field research, ons study concluded that P, methysticum is really a series of sterile cultivars of P. w |
(1)Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical
Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456
(2)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:hd13yb5k2qAJ: |
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2.02 |
"Pipier methysticum has been cultivated throughout Oceania, although seldom cultivated in Hawaii it seems to be sporadically naturalized." |
Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456 |
|
2.03 |
"Piper methysticum requires fairly high average temperatures (20-30 degree celcius) and high humidity (70% - 100% relative humidity). In the tropics at altitudes of generally less than 400 millimeters. At higher altitudes its minimum annual rainfall requi |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont. Page 83 |
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2.04 |
(1)"… with the presumed origin commonly listed as Malesia or New Hebrides. Through an analysis of herbarium specimens, bibliograhic review and detailed field research, ons study concluded that P, methysticum is really a series of sterile cultivars of P. w |
(1)Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical
Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456
(2)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:hd13yb5k2qAJ: |
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2.05 |
"Pipier methysticum has been cultivated throughout Oceania, although seldom cultivated in Hawaii it seems to be sporadically naturalized." |
Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456 |
|
3.01 |
No evidence of the species being naturalized. |
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3.02 |
No evidence |
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3.03 |
No evidence |
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3.04 |
No evidence |
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3.05 |
(1)Piper tubercuiatum is listed as a principal weed in Trinidad. (2)"Piper aduncum is a shrub or small tree that is a native of the West Indies and mainland tropical America from Mexico to northern Argentina. It is an invader of disturbed areas, where it |
(1)Holms et al. 1997. An Electronic Atlas of World Weeds. CD-ROM database. (2)http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=332&fr=1&sts= |
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4.01 |
No evidence of such structures. |
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4.02 |
(1)"Abstract: Higher plants with strong allelopathic properties are commonly incorporated into soil for weed-control purposes. To understand the phytotoxic variation in the soil, which can be utilized for weed control through the use of allelopathic plant |
(1)Xuan, T. D.; Tawata, S.; Khanh, T. D., et al. Decomposition of allelopathic plants in soil. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 191 (3) : 162-171 JUN 05 (2)Hong, Nguyen Huu; Xuan, Tran Dang; Eiji, Tsuzuki, et al. Evaluation of the allelopathic potenti |
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4.03 |
No evidence |
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4.04 |
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4.05 |
No evidence |
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4.06 |
The following fungi species were listed to be associated
with kava: Cercospora sp.: Fiji - 7283 |
(1)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/index.cfm |
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4.07 |
Probably not - most reported cases of toxicity have been from extracts - no evidence of direct comsumption of leaves or other plant parts causing toxicity. (1)The poisoning of 'awa: the non-traditional use of an ancient remedy. O'Sullivan HM; Lum K Pac H |
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4.08 |
Probably not - adated to tropical wet habitats. |
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4.09 |
(1)"It requires shade …" (2)"… it is flexible in its cultivation requirement and thrives in shade." |
(1)Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456 (2)Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont. Page 82 |
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4.1 |
"Kava grows in deep, friable, well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. The plant is very nutrient demanding. Highest yields are obtained on silica-clay soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Because the kava root system has only limited tolerance of a |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont. Page 83 |
|
4.11 |
No evidence of climbing habit. "Variations are morphological habit: erect, normal, prostrate; stem color; internode markings; leaf color; pubescences." |
http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/ethnobotany/sakau.html |
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4.12 |
(1)" Once they have sprouted, they are transferred to soil. Kava grows best in very warm, moist conditions, where it will form dense thickets and grow to heights of up to 15 feet in ideal conditions." (2)Kava is a member of the black pepper family, Piper |
(1)http://www.nzhealth.net.nz/herbs/kava.shtml (2)http://www.juniperandsage.com/materia_kavakava.php |
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5.01 |
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5.02 |
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5.03 |
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5.04 |
"Kava is cultivated from its stump also referred to as the stump. … The stump has often been eroneously called a rhizome by botanists. Piper methysticum has no rhizome. Monopodial stems with sympodial branches grow from the stump. |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont. Page 13 |
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6.01 |
"Although P. methysticum foes flower, it is incapable of reproducing itself sexually, its propagation is vegetative and solely dur to human effort." |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13 |
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6.02 |
"Inflorescent - only male known. … The only known method of propagation is by stem cuttings, because pistillate plants are rare and apparently never set seed, perhaps due to the high chromosome numbers." |
Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456 |
|
6.03 |
Probably not - "Inflorescence - only male known. … The only known method of propagation is by stem cuttings, because pistillate plants are rare and apparently never set seed, perhaps due to the high chromosome numbers." |
Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456 |
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6.04 |
"Inflorescence - only male known. … The only known method of propagation is by stem cuttings, because pistillate plants are rare and apparently never set seed, perhaps due to the high chromosome numbers." |
Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456 |
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6.05 |
Probably no pollination occurs. Mostly vegetative spread. "Inflorescence - only male known. … The only known method of propagation is by stem cuttings, because pistillate plants are rare and apparently never set seed, perhaps due to the high chromosome num |
Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456 |
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6.06 |
The only known method of propagation is by stem cuttings, because pistillate plants are rare and apparently never set seed, perhaps due to the high chromosome numbers." |
Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456 |
|
6.07 |
"The first inflorescence appears at two to three years of age in the form of spadices that are irregular in size." |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13 |
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7.01 |
Probably not - no evidence that the plants grow in heavily trafficked areas. |
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7.02 |
"Piper methysticum has a multitude of purported medicinal uses but is best known as the source of a sleep-inducing, possibly narcotic beverage, most commonly called kava." |
Staples, W George and Derral H Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. Page 456 |
|
7.03 |
Probably not - propagated vegetatively from stem cuttings. Does not produce fruits or seeds. |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13 |
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7.04 |
"None of the collected specimens of P .methysticum existing in herbaria throughout the world has seeds, and female plants are generally uncommon. ... Pacific Island experience confirms Western botanical opinion that P. methysticum does not produce fruit. G |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13-14. |
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7.05 |
"None of the collected specimens of P .methysticum existing in herbaria throughout th world has seeds, and female plants are generally uncommon. ... Pacific Island experience confirms Western botanical opinion that P. methysticum does not produce fruit. G |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13-14. |
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7.06 |
"None of the collected specimens of P .methysticum existing in herbaria throughout the world has seeds, and female plants are generally uncommon. ... Pacific Island experience confirms Western botanical opinion that P. methysticum does not produce fruit. G |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13-14. |
|
7.07 |
Probably not - no evidence that the propagules (stem cuttings in this case) have any means of attachment. |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13-14. |
|
7.08 |
Probably not - propagated vegetatively from stem cuttings. Does not produce fruits or seeds. |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13-14. |
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8.01 |
"None of the collected specimens of P .methysticum existing in herbaria throughout the world has seeds, and female plants are generally uncommon. ... Pacific Island experience confirms Western botanical opinion that P. methysticum does not produce fruit. G |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13-14. |
|
8.02 |
"None of the collected specimens of P .methysticum existing in herbaria throughout the world has seeds, and female plants are generally uncommon. ... Pacific Island experience confirms Western botanical opinion that P. methysticum does not produce fruit. G |
Lebot et al. 1997. Kava the Pacific Elixir. Healing Arts Press. Rochester. Vermont.Page 13-14. |
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8.03 |
No evidence that the species is being controlled for. |
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8.04 |
(1)"If you are growing this Kava Kava in the greenhouse/conservatory, regular pruning (just above a leaf node) will help keep the plant compact and bushy and stop it outgrowing its surroundings." (2)"It was then noted that a healthy kava plant can handle |
(1)http://www.plot55.com/growing/p.methysticum.html
(2)http:// |
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8.05 |
Don’t know. |
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