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

Ptychosperma macarthurii; Macarthur palm

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

y

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

y

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

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

y

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

y

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

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

6.07

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

See left

3

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

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

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

y

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

n

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:

1

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

Svenning, J. C. (2002) Non-native ornamental palms invade a secondary tropical forest in Panama. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.81-86, 11 ref.

AB: This paper describes the massive invasion of non-native ornamental palms (e.g., Aiphanes aculeata, Areca triandra, Bentinckia nicobarica, Dypsis madagascariensis, Livistona saribus, Ptychosperma macarthurii, Roystonea oleracea and R. regia ) in the Gamboa tropical secondary forest in Panama, which seem likely to become an abundant long term part of the existing vegetation.

1.03

no evidence

2.01

Meerow, A.W. (1992) Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Etrock information Systems, Inc.; Cooper City, Florida.153pp. p.78

"Origin: Australia, New Guinea"

2.02

2.03

(1)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Ptychosperma/macarthurii.html (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST535

(1)has a fairly limited distribution, from the southern MacIllwraith Ranges in north-eastern Cape York Peninsula to Cape York and various Torres Strait Islands, north to the region around the Fly River delta in almost lowlands east of the Great Divide, however the present author has observed a rather small colony of it along the lower Wenlock River in north-western Cape York Peninsular. P. macarthurii is a small palm of moist rainforests and broad-leaved riverain gallery forests; high humidity. The plants encountered in cultivation are all apparently progeny from the collections of Sir William Macarthurs gardener, J. Reedy, who obtained his material from the Katau or Binatauri Rwer in the Gulf of Papua region of New Guinea. Seeds were sent to the then Botanic Garden at Buitenzorg in Java, now Bogor. It is probable that all cultivated material has come from Bogor originally without further collections of wild seed of a different form. (2)USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11

2.04

Svenning, J. C. (2002) Non-native ornamental palms invade a secondary tropical forest in Panama. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.81-86, 11 ref.

AB: This paper describes the massive invasion of non-native ornamental palms (e.g., Aiphanes aculeata, Areca triandra, Bentinckia nicobarica, Dypsis madagascariensis, Livistona saribus, Ptychosperma macarthurii, Roystonea oleracea and R. regia ) in the Gamboa tropical secondary forest in Panama, which seem likely to become an abundant long term part of the existing vegetation.

2.05

(1) Svenning, J. C. (2002) Non-native ornamental palms invade a secondary tropical forest in Panama. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.81-86, 11 ref.
(2) Rauch, F. D. editor (1989) Hawaii nursery research. Research Extension Series - Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, 1989, No.103, 28 pp., 20 ref.
(3) Foong, T. W.; Yang, C. N. (1988) Compound fertilizer requirements for the establishment and early growth of popular ornamental shrubs between road-side trees. Gardens' Bulletin, Singapore, 1988, Vol.41, No.1, pp.19-28, 11 ref.
(4) Nagao, M. A.; Kanegawa, K.; Sakai, W. S. (1980) Accelerating palm seed germination with gibberellic acid, scarification, and bottom heat. Hortscience, 1980, Vol.15, No.2, pp.200-201, 12 ref.
(5) Davis, T. A. Enantiomorphic structures in the ornamental palm Ptychosperma macarthurii (H. Wendland) Nicholson (Arecaceae). Journal of Plantation Crops, 1974, Vol.2, No.2, pp.9-14, 25 ref.
(6) Giblin-Davis, R. M.; Peña, J. E.; Duncan, R. E. (1994) Lethal pi

(1) Panama, (2) Hawaii, (3) Singapore, (4) Brazil, (5) India, (6) Florida

3.01

Svenning, J. C. (2002) Non-native ornamental palms invade a secondary tropical forest in Panama. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.81-86, 11 ref.

AB: This paper describes the massive invasion of non-native ornamental palms (e.g., Aiphanes aculeata, Areca triandra, Bentinckia nicobarica, Dypsis madagascariensis, Livistona saribus, Ptychosperma macarthurii, Roystonea oleracea and R. regia ) in the Gamboa tropical secondary forest in Panama, which seem likely to become an abundant long term part of the existing vegetation.

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

Svenning, J. C. (2002) Non-native ornamental palms invade a secondary tropical forest in Panama. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.81-86, 11 ref.

AB: This paper describes the massive invasion of non-native ornamental palms (e.g., Aiphanes aculeata, Areca triandra, Bentinckia nicobarica, Dypsis madagascariensis, Livistona saribus, Ptychosperma macarthurii, Roystonea oleracea and R. regia ) in the Gamboa tropical secondary forest in Panama, which seem likely to become an abundant long term part of the existing vegetation. [specific pest concerns with Ptychosperma macarthurii not given]

3.05

no evidence

4.01

Blombery, A. & Rodd, T. (1982) Palms: An informative pratical guide to palms of the world: their cultivation, care and landscape use. Angus and Robertson Publishers. 199pp. p.153

no description of these traits

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

no evidence

4.06

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST535

No pests or diseases are of major concern. This palm is lethal yellowing-resistant. Sooty mold sometimes coats the trunk.

4.07

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Ptychosperma/macarthurii.html

In the Lockhart River region the Palm is called 'Achar' by the Aboriginal people and was formerly a food, the tender "cabbage" being eaten.(3 )

4.08

a plant of humid wet forests

4.09

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST535

(1)"Culture: partial shade best, but tolerates full sun and dense shade." (2)Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade, shade tolerant

4.1

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST536

(1)Culture: "grows in any soil of reasonable drainage and fertility." (2)Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; slightly alkaline; acidic; well-drained

4.11

Blombery, A. & Rodd, T. (1982) Palms: An informative pratical guide to palms of the world: their cultivation, care and landscape use. Angus and Robertson Publishers. 199pp. p.152

cluster-forming palm

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

Arecaceae, palm

5.03

no evidence

5.04

cluster-forming palm

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Nagao, M. A.; Kanegawa, K.; Sakai, W. S. (1980) Accelerating palm seed germination with gibberellic acid, scarification, and bottom heat. Hortscience, 1980, Vol.15, No.2, pp.200-201, 12 ref.

AB: Scarification or soaking in water or 1000 p.p.m. GA accelerated seed germination of Archontophoenix alexandrae. Ptychosperma macarthurii germination was also accelerated after scarification or soaking in 1000 p.p.m. GA. However, in both species greatest acceleration was obtained when the scarification and GA treatments were combined. Germination time of P. macarthurii was reduced by 6 weeks in beds heated to 27 deg C.

6.03

no evidence

6.04

no evidence

6.05

Kiew, R.; Muid, M. (1989) Bees and palms in Peninsular Malaysia. Principes, 1989, Vol.33, No.2, pp.74-77

AB: The following palms are known to be foraged on by Apis cerana : coconut, sago (Metroxylon sagu ), Manila palm (Veitchia merrillii ), MacArthur palm (Ptychosperma macarthuri ), betel nut (Areca catechu ), royal palm (Roystonea regia ), sugar palm (Arenga pinnata ), princess palm (Dictyosperma album ), Arenga westerhoutii, oil palm (Elaeis guineensis ). Apis dorsata and Trigona species also forage on a wide range of palms.

6.06

Meerow, A.W. (1992) Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Etrock information Systems, Inc.; Cooper City, Florida.153pp. p.78

"Propagation: Seed, division." [ it has numerous stems but no natural vegetative spread]

6.07

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Ptychosperma/macarthurii.html

should attain maturity in 2-3 years. In heavy shade the plants can mature (flower) when only 2m tall and with stems only 1-3c.m. in diameter

7.01

no evidence

7.02

Blombery, A. & Rodd, T. (1982) Palms: An informative pratical guide to palms of the world: their cultivation, care and landscape use. Angus and Robertson Publishers. 199pp. p.152

"P. elegans and P. macarthurii, have been widely cultivated in warm moist coastal areas in many parts of the world, where they are used for landscaping."

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Ptychosperma/macarthurii.html

palm of moist rainforests and broad-leaved riverain gallery forests [seeds could float]

7.06

(1)Blombery, A. & Rodd, T. (1982) Palms: An informative pratical guide to palms of the world: their cultivation, care and landscape use. Angus and Robertson Publishers. 199pp. p.152 (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST535

(1)"Fruits are egg-shaped, about 14mm long and bright red." (2)Fruit covering: fleshy

7.07

no evidence

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

(1)Blombery, A. & Rodd, T. (1982) Palms: An informative pratical guide to palms of the world: their cultivation, care and landscape use. Angus and Robertson Publishers. 199pp. p.152 (2)http://www.moa.my/doa/english/garden/ag_ptych.html

"Fruits are egg-shaped, about 14mm long and bright red." [Even though the fuit is not small , the inflorescence composed of a dense branches of spikes; but there is much abortion.] (2)Fruit : Globular about 1.5 cm in diameter

8.02

Graziano, T. T. (1982) Viability of palm seeds. 1. Euterpe edulis and Ptychosperma macarthurii. [FT: Viabilidade de sementes de palmeiras: 1. Euterpe edulis Mart. e Ptychosperma macarthurii (H. Wendl.) Nich.] Científica, 1982, Vol.10, No.2, pp.273-276, 4 ref.

AB: Seeds of both species collected in Brazil had a short life (not viable 21 days after harvest). Post-harvest seeds gradually lost both germinative capacity and energy.

8.03

Donselman, H.; Broschat, T. K. 1986.Phytotoxicity of several pre- and postemergent herbicides on container grown palms. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 99:273-274

All palms appeared tolerant to 11-21 ml/litre glyphosate and although stunting and deformation of new leaves occurred in some plants, nearly all outgrew the symptoms in a few weeks.

8.04

no evidence

8.05

no evidence