Ruttya fruticosa Lindau Family - Acanthaceae. Common Names(s) - Hummingbird Plant, Rabbit Ears, Jammy mouth. Synonym(s) - NA.

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

y

1

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

n

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)

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

n

0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, 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

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

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

4.10

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

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

y

1

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

6.07

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

See left

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

y

1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-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

n

-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-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

y

1

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

1

Notes

Source

1.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Llamas, K.A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Ruttya includes approximately 3 species of shrubs from tropical Africa. (2)Ruttya fruticosa has its main distribution in eastern and north-eastern tropical Africa, and on the Arabian peninsula it is known from the escarpment woodlands in the Dhofar region in Oman.

(1)Llamas, K.A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR. (2)Friis, I. and O. Ryding. Biodiversity Research in the Horn of Africa Region: Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea at the Carlsberg Academy, Copenhagen, August 25-27, 1999. Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskab. Denmark.

2.02

2.03

(1)zones 9-11. (2)at 610-1825 m (2000-6000 ft) [>1000 m elevational distribution]

(1)Llamas, K.A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR. (2)Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Photo Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. Harper Collins Publishers. London, UK.

2.04

(1)Ruttya includes approximately 3 species of shrubs from tropical Africa.

(1)Llamas, K.A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

2.05

(1)This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Archer, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Big Rapids, Michigan
Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Cedar Park, Texas
Santa Fe, Texas
Victoria, Texas [not widely cultivated outside USA, which has very little tropical zonation]

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/59780/ [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

3.01

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamer.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

3.02

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamer.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

3.03

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamer.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

3.04

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamer.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

3.05

(1)No evidence

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinamer.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

4.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Photo Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. Harper Collins Publishers. London, UK.

4.02

Unknown

4.03

(1)No evidence

(1)Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Photo Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. Harper Collins Publishers. London, UK.

4.04

Unknown

4.05

Unknown

4.06

No evidence (1)Pests are unknown on this plant, which is always a nice bonus.

(1)http://www.barbadine.com/pages/Ruttyafruticosa_lien.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

4.07

No evidence (1)It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental shrub

(1)Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Photo Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. Harper Collins Publishers. London, UK.

4.08

No evidence that this species increase fire hazards (1)It is recorded over most of central, southern and northern Kenya in moderately dry bushland and forest margins, especially on rocky ground

(1)Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Photo Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. Harper Collins Publishers. London, UK.

4.09

(1)Full to part sun. (2)Hardy in sun or shade.

(1)Llamas, K.A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR. (2)Oakman, H. 1995. Harry Oakman's What Flowers When: The Complete Guide to Flowering Times in Tropical and Subtropical Gardens. Univ. of Queensland Press. St. Lucia, Australia.

4.10

(1)Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/59780/ [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

4.11

(1)Beautiful vining shrub covered with very unusual red to dark orange flowers with brown markings resembling rabbit's head with ears. (2)Ruttya fruticosa has long flexible stems and can be trained as a climbing plant, or is sometimes cut low and allowed to sprawl over the surrounding ground. (3)This species originates from South Africa and has a bushy habit which can be kept by regular pruning but it may also be grown as a climber due to its long flexuous stems.

(1)http://www.toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=ruttya_orange [Accessed 18 Nov 2008] (2)McLaughlin, J. A Guide to Planting an African-American/African Focused Yard in Miami-Dade County: A Selection of Ornamental African Plants Suitable for the Miami-Dade Landscape. Miami-Dade Extension Office. http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/old/programs/urbanhort/publications/PDF/African%20Ornamentals%20for%20Miami%20Dade.pdf [Accessed 18 Nov 2008] (3)http://www.barbadine.com/pages/Ruttyafruticosa_lien.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

4.12

No evidence (1)It is recorded over most of central, southern and northern Kenya in moderately dry bushland and forest margins, especially on rocky ground [no mention of Ruttya thickets]

(1)Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Photo Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. Harper Collins Publishers. London, UK.

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

Acanthaceae

5.03

Acanthaceae

5.04

(1)A shrub which can grow up toa height of 3 m

(1)Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Photo Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. Harper Collins Publishers. London, UK.

6.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Photo Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. Harper Collins Publishers. London, UK.

6.02

(1)The fruit is an ellipsoid capsule containing four seeds.

(1)http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/pdf/triology/4703.pdf [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

6.03

Unknown [hybridization documented in genus] (1)The importance of hybridization in speciation is emphasized by listing most of the known intergeneric hybrids in flowering plants and including a figure (23,675) of all the known hybrids including interspecific ones. No claims are made that the list is complete or absolutely accurate. Some of the strong points regarding hybridization as a process are given. In addition, it is pointed out that hybrids, throughout the range, show both dominance and intermediacy, some possess normal meiosis and many are highly or partially fertile....A new character (corolla color) appears in the cross of Ruspolia hypocrateriformis X Ruttya ovata.

(1)Knobloch, I.W. 1972. Intergeneric Hybridization in Flowering Plants. Taxon 21(1): 97-103.

6.04

Unknown

6.05

No indication that flowers are particularly specialized (1)Reproductive type, pollination. Plants hermaphrodite. Pollination entomophilous; mechanism conspicuously specialized (commonly exhibiting a loose-pollen mechanism, cf. Scophulariaceae etc. — e.g. the large bee-flowers of Acanthus), or unspecialized. (2)The markedly two-lipped flowers are coppery red with a splash of black in the throat c. 2 cm long. (3)Scrambling shrub with white, speckled flowers, attracts butterflies and carpenter bees [related species Ruttya ovata]

(1)http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/acanthac.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008] (2)Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Photo Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. Harper Collins Publishers. London, UK. (3)http://www.indigenousplantsale.org.za/html/climbers.html [Accessed 19 Nov 2008]

6.06

Unknown how far this species could spread vegetatively (1)has a tendency to sucker

(1)Oakman, H. 1995. Harry Oakman's What Flowers When: The Complete Guide to Flowering Times in Tropical and Subtropical Gardens. Univ. of Queensland Press. St. Lucia, Australia.

6.07

Unknown [probably >1 year] (1)For color try this native from Africa, Ruttya fruiticosa, commonly called the African azalea. It’s a fast growing evergreen shrub to 6ft. tall by 4ft. wide with dark shiny green leaves. Clusters of bright orange or yellow tubular flowers start in late spring and go through fall in Fresno, year round in milder winter climates.

(1)http://www.belmontnursery.com/homeowner/documents/EMay2008.pdf [Accessed 19 Nov 2008]

7.01

(1)Those flowers are followed, as it is the case for most plants belonging to the acanthaceae family, by brown elongated seed pods which explode when ripe with a distinctive noise. [no means of external attachment]

(1)http://www.barbadine.com/pages/Ruttyafruticosa_lien.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

7.02

(1)Ornamental

(1)Llamas, K.A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR. (2)Oakman, H. 1995. Harry Oakman's What Flowers When: The Complete Guide to Flowering Times in Tropical and Subtropical Gardens. Univ. of Queensland Press. St. Lucia, Australia.

7.03

No evidence (1)Ornamental plants [not used for floral arrangements or in other products where seed contamination is likely]

(1)Llamas, K.A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

7.04

(1)Those flowers are followed, as it is the case for most plants belonging to the acanthaceae family, by brown elongated seed pods which explode when ripe with a distinctive noise.

(1)http://www.barbadine.com/pages/Ruttyafruticosa_lien.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

7.05

(1)Those flowers are followed, as it is the case for most plants belonging to the acanthaceae family, by brown elongated seed pods which explode when ripe with a distinctive noise.

(1)http://www.barbadine.com/pages/Ruttyafruticosa_lien.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

7.06

(1)Those flowers are followed, as it is the case for most plants belonging to the acanthaceae family, by brown elongated seed pods which explode when ripe with a distinctive noise.

(1)http://www.barbadine.com/pages/Ruttyafruticosa_lien.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

7.07

(1)Those flowers are followed, as it is the case for most plants belonging to the acanthaceae family, by brown elongated seed pods which explode when ripe with a distinctive noise. [no means of external attachment]

(1)http://www.barbadine.com/pages/Ruttyafruticosa_lien.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

7.08

Unlikely that seeds would be consumed and dispersed internally by animals (1)Those flowers are followed, as it is the case for most plants belonging to the acanthaceae family, by brown elongated seed pods which explode when ripe with a distinctive noise.

(1)http://www.barbadine.com/pages/Ruttyafruticosa_lien.htm [Accessed 18 Nov 2008]

8.01

Unknown

8.02

Unknown from natural conditions (1)Storage Conditions: Based on ecology, fruit anatomy and seed size this species may show orthodox seed storage behaviour.

(1)iu, K., Eastwood, R.J., Flynn, S., Turner, R.M., and Stuppy, W.H. 2008. Seed Information Database (release 7.1, May 2008) http://www.kew.org/data/sid

8.03

Unknown

8.04

(1)Prune back heavily after flowering

(1)Sheat, B., W G Sheat, Bill Sheat, Gerald Schofield, Gerald Schofield. 1995. Complete Gardening in Southern Africa. Struik. Cape Town, South Africa.

8.05

Unknown