Pittosporum resiniferum Hemsley. Family - Pittosporaceae. Common Name(s) - petroleum nut, resin cheesewood, hanga. Synonym(s) - NA.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01)

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

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)

y

1

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

n

0

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)

3.03

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

3.04

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

3.05

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

y

2

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

4.03

Parasitic

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

4.05

Toxic to animals

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y

1

4.09

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

4.10

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

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

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

6.07

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

7.01

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

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

y

1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

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

8.05

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

Total score:

6

Notes

Reference

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Petroleum nut is reported to range from 600–2,400 m elevation, usually in elfin or Benguet Pine Forest. Average of 7 climatic data sites where the Pittosporum grows, was close to 1,000 m, the range from ca 550 to 2,000 m. Whether or not it can stand frost, dry heat, and drought is questionable. Frequently, species of elfin forests have very narrow ecological amplitudes and do not thrive in other vegetation types...Ranging from Tropical Dry to Moist through Subtropical Forest Life Zones, the petroleum nut grows where the annual precipitation ranges from 15 to more than 50 dm (mean of 36 cases = 27 dm), annual temperature from 18–28°C (mean of 17 cases = 26°C). Of 17 cases where both temperature and rainfall data were available to us, 13 would suggest Tropical Moist Forest Life Zone, three would suggest Tropical Dry, and one would suggest Subtropical Rain Forest Life Zones.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

2.02

2.03

(1)Petroleum nut is reported to range from 600–2,400 m elevation, usually in elfin or Benguet Pine Forest. Average of 7 climatic data sites where the Pittosporum grows, was close to 1,000 m, the range from ca 550 to 2,000 m. Whether or not it can stand frost, dry heat, and drought is questionable. Frequently, species of elfin forests have very narrow ecological amplitudes and do not thrive in other vegetation types...Ranging from Tropical Dry to Moist through Subtropical Forest Life Zones, the petroleum nut grows where the annual precipitation ranges from 15 to more than 50 dm (mean of 36 cases = 27 dm), annual temperature from 18–28°C (mean of 17 cases = 26°C). Of 17 cases where both temperature and rainfall data were available to us, 13 would suggest Tropical Moist Forest Life Zone, three would suggest Tropical Dry, and one would suggest Subtropical Rain Forest Life Zones.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

2.04

(1)Geographic distribution of Pittosporum resiniferum: Malaysia, Sabah; Phillipines.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.05

Tree may be widely planted as a biofuel crop in the future, but currently distribution is fairly limited. (1)In the Philippines, petroleum nut is locally known in Benguet as apisang, abkol, abkel, and langis; in the Mountain Province, dael and dingo, and in Abra, sagaga. It abounds in Mt. Pulis, Ifugao, and is reported from the headwaters of the Agno and Chico River Basins. Also in the Bicol Provinces, Palawan, Hindoro, Nueva Ecija, and Laguna Provinces. It is being cultivated at FORI's Conifer Research Center, Baguio City.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

3.01

No evidence, and no mention in Global Compendium of Weeds

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamep.htm [Accessed 25 Feb 2008]

3.02

No evidence, and no mention in Global Compendium of Weeds

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamep.htm [Accessed 25 Feb 2008]

3.03

No evidence, and no mention in Global Compendium of Weeds

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamep.htm [Accessed 25 Feb 2008]

3.04

No evidence, and no mention in Global Compendium of Weeds

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamep.htm [Accessed 25 Feb 2008]

3.05

(1)undulatum is invading eucalypt open forests in south-central Victoria, 200 km west of its native habitat in eastern Australia. This is due to horticultural plantings of P. undulatum and to the suppression of wildfires: it has thin bark and is killed by fires which most eucalypts can survive. Near Melbourne, P. undulatum preferentially establishes around the butts of eucalypts and other established trees although in denser forests this clumping is not so obvious. Seedlings of other weed species such as Ilex aquifolium and Cotoneaster pannosa similarly aggregate around established shrubs and trees. Classification of quadrats by monothetic division showed P. undulatum to be the most important species in the community. The weedy nature of P. undulatum is clear from its rapid dispersal, early seed production and fast growth. The dense canopy dramatically reduces the light intensity and completely suppresses the original sclerophyllous understorey: only Gahnia radula remains. Soil beneath the canopy is fertile and the litter is high in nutrients but bioassays indicate that inhibitors may be present. The root system is variable, depending on soil texture and compaction. The invasion of forest remnants by P. undulatum and other weeds is threatening the survival of the eucalypt forests in urban areas.

(1)Gleadow RM, Ashton DH. 1981. Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the Forests of Central Victoria. I. Invasion Patterns and Plant Morphology. Australian Journal of Botany 29, 705–720.

4.01

(1)(Regarding the family Pittosporaceae) The genera may be divided by other characters: Small trees, or shrubs without thorns; …(Pittosporum).

(1)Heywood, V.H. 1993. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press, New York.

4.02

Unknown

4.03

No evidence.

4.04

Unknown

4.05

Unknown

4.06

Unknown

4.07

Given utility and popularity as medicine, without any mentions of toxicity, it is unlikely that plant is toxic to people. (1)Fruit is used as a panacea by Philippine traditionalists, especially, however, for abdominal pain. The oleoresin is used to treat muscular pains and skin diseases (Perry, 1980). The nut decoction is used for colds. Crushed nuts are mixed with coconut oil as a relief for myalgia. Altschul (1973) quotes from a 1947 Sulit herbarium specimen, "Petroleum gas extracted from the fruit is medicinal for stomachache and cicitrizant."

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

4.08

Unlikely to be a fire risk in a wet forest habitat, but in drier areas, or if planted in high densities, the flammability of fruits would likely pose a fire risk. (1)"Aromatic tree to 30 m tall, but probably smaller in its elfin forest habitat (perhaps even epiphytic)";"The Gasoline Tree produces masses of apricot-sized orange fruits which when cut and touched with a match leap into flame and burn steadily. The fruits contain 46% of gasoline type components (heptane,dihydroterpene, etc.), which are found in extensive networks of large resin canals. If planted the estimated yield would be about 45 tons of fruit or 2500 gallons of 'gasoline' per acre per year."...The plant was discovered as a hydrocarbon source just after 1900, but based on the previous paragraph, it seems it would take 1,000 trees per ha to get one MT oil per hectare from the fruits. Perhaps the resin in the leaves, twigs, etc. would equal or exceed this;

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

4.09

Probably, but no information on shade tolerance.

4.10

Insufficient evidence. (1)These shrubs favour a soft and deep, but well drained soil.

(1)http://www.gardening.eu/arc/plants/Shrubs/Pittosporum-resiniferum-Hemsley/53274/stamp_m.asp [Accessed 25 Feb 2008]

4.11

(1)Aromatic tree to 30 m tall, but probably smaller in its elfin forest habitat (perhaps even epiphytic)

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

4.12

Unknown

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

Pittosporaceae

5.03

Pittosporaceae

5.04

(1)Aromatic tree to 30 m tall, but probably smaller in its elfin forest habitat (perhaps even epiphytic)

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

6.01

No evidence (1)fruiting when only 6–12 m tall...Fruits average 25 mm in diameter (12–43). Each fruit has 5–72 seeds (average 31), the seeds ranging from 1–40 mm, averaging 3 mm.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

6.02

(1)Seeds and cutting can be used to propagate the tree. Seeds may lose their vitality rather rapidly. According to Juan V. Pancho (personal communication, 1982), "from my experience, the seed lost its viability after one month storage." (2)"…germination rate of freshly-collected seeds from ripe fruits was observed to be 59-75% (Veneracion and Costales, 1982; Noble and Orallo, 1983)."

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008] (2)Vargas-Zamora, C. 1990. Tissue culture of Pittosporum resiniferum Hemsl. (Petroleum nut tree). Science Diliman 3: 46-66.

6.03

Unknown

6.04

Unknown

6.05

Unspecialized, fragrant, white flowers likely insect and/or bird pollinated. (1)Flowers fragrant, white, clustered on the stems. (2)Image shows actinomorphic, perfect flowers

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008] (2)Vargas-Zamora, C. 1990. Tissue culture of Pittosporum resiniferum Hemsl. (Petroleum nut tree). Science Diliman 3: 46-66. (2)http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/images/pit_res_5760.jpg [Accessed 25 Feb 2008]

6.06

Unknown

6.07

Unknown, but possibly less than 4 years. (1)fruiting when only 6–12 m tall.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008] (2)Vargas-Zamora, C. 1990. Tissue culture of Pittosporum resiniferum Hemsl. (Petroleum nut tree). Science Diliman 3: 46-66. (2)http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/images/pit_res_5760.jpg [Accessed 25 Feb 2008]

7.01

Unknown, but possible that smaller, sticky seeds could adhere to animals, boots, or be carried in mud (1)Each fruit has 5–72 seeds (average 31), the seeds ranging from 1–40 mm, averaging 3 mm. The seeds are about as close to hexahedral and prismatic as any I have seen, being quite angular, black to blackish gold, often still surrounded by a gummy or resinous endocarp.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

7.02

Cultivation of tree likely to increase due to potential as a biofuel crop. (1)In the January 1981 issue of Canopy, Generalao (1981) lists petroleum nut at the top of a long list of potential oil seeds (2)Small plantings of the petroleum tree would prove useful, if only to determine potential growth rates and yields for Hawaiian climates in order to make more reliable predictions.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008] (2)Poteet, M. D. 2006. Biodiesel Crop Implementation in Hawaii. Prepared for The State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Aiea, HI.

7.03

Not grown with produce.

7.04

(1)Fruits average 25 mm in diameter (12–43). Each fruit has 5–72 seeds (average 31), the seeds ranging from 1–40 mm, averaging 3 mm.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

7.05

Unknown whether fruit are buoyant

7.06

Similar fruit morphology to other species of genus suggest birds as main dispersal vector. (1)Pittosporum resiniferum is a tall tree, bearing fruits bigger than a golf ball, the orange pulp of which, when pressed, yielded sticky oil that resembled to petroleum. (2)Invading Pittosporum undulaturn tends to be clumped around the butts of established trees. This is due to the preferential deposition of seeds in these sites by the European blackbird (Turdus merula) which is believed to be the main vector of dispersal. Native silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) eat some seed but are not considered important in dispersal. (3)Most fleshy fruit either have relatively thick fleshy pericarps or are very juicy. The few with rather dry or very thin fleshy pericarps (e .g ., Griselinia littoralis and Myrsine australis ) seem likely to have minimal food value for birds, yet the birds eat them.The same appears to hold for the two dry-fruited Pittosporum species, the seeds of which are coated with very sticky mucilage . The mucilage itself seems to be the attraction.

(1)Kalita, D. 2008. Hydrocarbon plant - new source of energy for future. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 12: 455–471 (2)Gleadow, R. M. 1982. Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the Forests of Central Victoria. II. Dispersal, Germination and Establishment . Australian Journal of Botany 30, 185–198. (3)Burrows, C. J. 1994. Fruit types and seed dispersal modes of woody plants in Ahuriri Summit Bush, Port Hills, western Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 32 : 169–181.

7.07

Unknown, but possible that sticky seeds could adhere to animals (1)The seeds are about as close to hexahedral and prismatic as any I have seen, being quite angular, black to blackish gold, often still surrounded by a gummy or resinous endocarp.

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

7.08

Similar fruit morphology to other species of genus suggest birds as main dispersal vector. (1)Pittosporum resiniferum is a tall tree, bearing fruits bigger than a golf ball, the orange pulp of which, when pressed, yielded sticky oil that resembled to petroleum. (2)Invading Pittosporum undulaturn tends to be clumped around the butts of established trees. This is due to the preferential deposition of seeds in these sites by the European blackbird (Turdus merula) which is believed to be the main vector of dispersal. Native silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) eat some seed but are not considered important in dispersal. (3)Most fleshy fruit either have relatively thick fleshy pericarps or are very juicy. The few with rather dry or very thin fleshy pericarps (e .g ., Griselinia littoralis and Myrsine australis ) seem likely to have minimal food value for birds, yet the birds eat them.The same appears to hold for the two dry-fruited Pittosporum species, the seeds of which are coated with very sticky mucilage . The mucilage itself seems to be the attraction.

(1)Kalita, D. 2008. Hydrocarbon plant - new source of energy for future. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 12: 455–471 (2)Gleadow, R. M. 1982. Invasion by Pittosporum undulatum of the Forests of Central Victoria. II. Dispersal, Germination and Establishment . Australian Journal of Botany 30, 185–198. (3)Burrows, C. J. 1994. Fruit types and seed dispersal modes of woody plants in Ahuriri Summit Bush, Port Hills, western Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 32 : 169–181.

8.01

Unknown

8.02

(1)Seeds and cutting can be used to propagate the tree. Seeds may lose their vitality rather rapidly. According to Juan V. Pancho (personal communication, 1982), "from my experience, the seed lost its viability after one month storage."

(1)http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html [Accessed 20 Feb 2008]

8.03

Unknown

8.04

Unknown

8.05

Unknown