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

Rhapis excelsa; lady 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

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

1

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

y

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

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

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

n

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

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

4

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

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

y

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

0

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/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?rhapis+excelsa (12 June 2002)

Distributional range: Native: Asia-Temperate: China [s.]; Japan

2.02

2.03

(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/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?rhapis+excelsa (12 June 2002)
(2) Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.397 (3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/R/rhap_exc.cfm (4)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/RHAEXCA.PDF

(1) Distributional range: Native: Asia-Temperate: China [s.]; Japan
(2) " widely cultivated in tropics and subtropics as oramental" (3)USDA Zones 9 - 11. Can survive temperatures down to mid twenties without damage. Lower temperatures will kill stems but plant may recover. (4)USDA hardiness zones: 8B through 11

2.04

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/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?rhapis+excelsa (12 June 2002)

Distributional range:
Native: Asia-Temperate: China [s.]; Japan

2.05

(1) Das, S. R. (1999) A new leaf blight disease of large lady-palm. Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology, 1999, Vol.29, No.2, p.263, 3 ref.
(2) Goo, M. Y. C.; Sipes, B. S. (1997) Host preference of Radopholus citrophilus from Hawaiian anthurium among selected tropical ornamentals. HortScience, 1997, Vol.32, No.7, pp.1237-1238, 7 ref.
(3) Doughty, S. C.; Gill, D. J.; Blouin, D. C. (1992) Freeze survival survey of 21 palm species in New Orleans and vicinity. HortTechnology, 1992, Vol.2, No.4, pp.460-465, 11 ref.
(4) Chase, A. R. (1982) Dematiaceous leaf spots of Chrysalidocarpus lutescens and other palms in Florida. Plant Disease, 1982, Vol.66, No.8, pp.697-699, 7 ref.

(1) India (2) Hawaii (3) Louisiana (4) Florida

3.01

no evidence

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

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

not known to be invasive

3.05

no evidence

4.01

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.397

no description of these traits

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

no evidence

4.05

no evidence

4.06

Cheng GuiFang; Yang JiKun (1997) Opogona sacchari (Bojer) - an important pest insect on Dracaena fragrans . Plant Protection, 1997, Vol.23, No.1, pp.33-35, 1 ref.

AB: "The bionomics of Opogona sacchari and its control were studied in Beijing, China in 1995-96. It is stated that this was the first record of O. sacchari in China. The pest was found infesting Dracaena fragrans . It had 3-4 generations a year in Beijing and overwintered as larvae in soil near the roots of host plants cultivated in pots in greenhouses. Damage was most serious on wood segments of D. fragrans more than 3 years old. Seriously damaged plants had more than 50 heads of larvae on 1 m long wood segments. The insect also infests Euphorbia pulcherrima and Rhapis excelsa . Spraying 80% dichlorvos diluted at 1:1000, followed by wrapping with plastic film, or broadcast application of trichlorfon diluted at 1:200 gave good control of the insect." <http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep01/form0901.htm> "The pesky banana moth (Opogona sacchari) is the target of new ARS inquiries in Hilo, Hawaii, designed to quell this natural enemy of the familiar dracaena plant. Also known as corn plant because of th

4.07

no evidence

4.08

no evidence

4.09

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.126 (2)http://www.tropical-seeds.com/tech_forum/pubs_res/land_flor3.html

(1)"Culture: partial to deep shade" (2)Suitable for shaded habitats

4.1

(1)Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.126 (2)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/RHAEXCA.PDF (3)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms//Rhapis/excelsa.html

"Culture: fertile organic soils" (2)Soil tolerances: alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam (3)very adaptable to soil types although neutral to slightly acid soils with good drainage and organic matter is recommended for best results

4.11

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.126

small delicate palm

4.12

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.126

"forming dense clusters of can-like trunks"

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

palm; Arecaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

palm

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.126

"propagation: seed, division"

6.03

no evidence

6.04

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.126

dioecious

6.05

no evidence

6.06

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.397

"propagate by suckers formed at the base" [clump-forming, with underground runners]

6.07

(1)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_EP020 (2)http://www.texasriviera.com/rhapisinfor.html

(1)Slow grower (2)grow painfully slow [estimate based on slow growing woody plant

7.01

no evidence

7.02

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.397

" widely cultivated in tropics and subtropics as oramental"

7.03

no evidence

7.04

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.126

"fruit: drupe; oblong, white, to 3 inches long, sometimes several seeded."

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.126

"fruit: drupe; oblong, white, to 3 inches long, sometimes several seeded."

7.07

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.127

"fruit: drupe; oblong, white, to 3 inches long, sometimes several seeded."

7.08

no evidence

8.01

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. p.126

"fruit: drupe; oblong, white, to 3 inches long, sometimes several seeded." [large fruit with few seeds]

8.02

http://www.ftg.org/horticulture/palmseed.html

palm seeds are short-lived

8.03

no evidence

8.04

http://www.palms.org/principes/articles/rhapis.htm

The tallest canes may be damaged or frozen, but provide protection for lower, younger offshoots. In extreme lows, all visible canes will die, but new offshoots may sprout by summer. [can resprout from base]

8.05

Goo, M. Y. C.; Sipes, B. S. (1997) Host preference of Radopholus citrophilus from Hawaiian anthurium among selected tropical ornamentals. HortScience, 1997, Vol.32, No.7, pp.1237-1238, 7 ref.

AB: Fourteen tropical ornamental plants were evaluated for their host status to a population of R. citrophilus isolated from anthurium. No nematodes were recovered from the roots of Aglaonema commutatum , Caryota mitis , Cycas revoluta , Dracaena deremensis , Neodypsis decaryii , Ravenea spp. or Spathiphyllum wallisii 5 months after inoculation, making these plants non-hosts. Low numbers of R. citrophilus were recovered from the roots of Phoenix roebellinii , Rhapis excelsa and Howea forsteriana , suggesting that they were poor hosts to this nematode population. Anthurium trifidum , Chamaedorea neathebella , Chamaedorea seifrizii and Calathea variegata were hosts for the nematode, allowing population increases of 2.47 to 29.92 times the inoculation density. C. seifrizii and C. variegata represent new hosts of R. citrophilus .