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

Schinus molle (Peruvian peppertree; California peppertree)

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

y

3.05

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

n=0

y

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

y

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

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

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

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

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

n

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

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

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

10

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

HOWARD-L-F; MINNICH-R-A (1989) The introduction and naturalization of Schinus molle (pepper tree) in Riverside, California (USA).LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING 18(2): 77-96.

naturalized in California

1.03

no evidence

2.01

CAB International, 2000. Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

Native range: Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay

2.02

2.03

(1) Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd. (2) Plant Master 5.5. California Edition.1999. Acacia Software, Westlake Village, California.

(1) USDA Hardiness Zones 8B-11. (2) USDA zones 8-10; New USDA temp Zones 8B-11A

2.04

HOWARD-L-F; MINNICH-R-A (1989) The introduction and naturalization of Schinus molle (pepper tree) in Riverside, California (USA).LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING 18(2): 77-96.

naturalized in California

2.05

(1) Danin, A. (2000).The inclusion of adventive plants in the second edition of Flora Palaestina. Willdenowia, 2000, Vol.30, No.2, pp.305-314, 13 ref.
(2) Lepetu, J.(1998). Investigation on sustainability of species for sand dune stabilization in the Kalahari desert with special reference to Tsabong, Botswana. SACCAR Newsletter, 1998, No.42, pp.28-32
(3) Baser, K. H. C.; Kürkcüoglu, M.; Demircakmak, B.; Ülker, N.; Beis, S. H. (1997) Composition of the essential oil of Schinus molle L. grown in Turkey. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 1997, Vol.9, No.6, pp.693-696, 9 ref.
(4) Omunyin, M. E.; Wabule, M. N. (1996). Occurrence of African mistletoe Erianthemum ulugurense on Toona ciliata and other trees in Kenya.Plant Disease, 1996, Vol.80, No.7, p.823, 1 ref.
(5) HOWARD-L-F; MINNICH-R-A (1989) The introduction and naturalization of Schinus molle (pepper tree) in Riverside, California (USA).LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING 18(2): 77-96.:
(6) Ahmad, I.; Bhutta, A. R. Fungi associated with landscape tree

(1) Isrel (2) Botswana (3) Turkey (4) Kenya (5) California (6) Pakistan (7) Ethiopia (8) Yemen (9) Spain (10) Algeriac (11) Mexico (12 Egypt)

3.01

HOWARD-L-F; MINNICH-R-A (1989) The introduction and naturalization of Schinus molle (pepper tree) in Riverside, California (USA).LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING 18(2): 77-96.

naturalized in California

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

http://www.caleppc.org/info/99listb.html

CALEPPC - California, invasive in riparian habitats in San Diego, Santa Cruz Is.

3.05

Bennett, F. D.; Crestana, L.; Habeck, D. H.; Berti-Filho, E. (1990). Brazilian peppertree - prospects for biological control. Proceedings of the VII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds., 1990, pp.293-297, 18 ref.

"Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius ), native to Brazil, has become an aggressive perennial weed in S. Florida following its introduction as an ornamental. "

4.01

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.316

4.02

Anaya, A. L.; Gomez-Pompa, A. (1971). Inhibition on growth produced by the piru (Schinus molle L.). Revista de la Sociedad Mexicana de Historia Nacional, 1971, No.32, pp.99-109, 23 ref.

The results are given on the effects of extracts of the leaves, fruits and roots of piru (Schinus molle) on the germination and growth of cucumber and wheat. A strong inhibition was detected with the extracts of leaves and fruits. The possible ecological significance of this allelopathy is discussed.

4.03

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.316

4.04

no evidence

4.05

no evidence

4.06

United States Department of Agriculture (1974). Oriental fruit fly (Dacus dorsalis) - California. Cooperative Economic Insect Report, 1974, Vol.24, No.38, p.761, 1 ref.

"An adult male of Dacus dorsalis Hend. was caught on 6th September 1974 in a McPhail trap in an orange tree in San Diego County, California; a few days later another was caught in a Steiner trap in a pepper tree [Schinus molle] in the same locality, and further examples from pepper trees and sapote [Achras zapota] had not yet been definitely identified. The area of infestation was about 10 mile2 and was not in a commercial fruit-growing region. At about the same time a male was trapped in an orange tree in a residential district of Los Angeles County, about 100 miles from the first collection site. "

4.07

no evidence

4.08

(1) Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd. (2) Plant master 5.5. California Edition. 1999. Acacia Software.

(1) high flammability. (2) fire resistant in landscaped environments, but hazard in natural system not known

4.09

4.1

(1) Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd. (2) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7

4.11

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.316

4.12

no evidence

5.01

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.316

5.02

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.316

5.03

Hyde, E. A.; Pasiecznik, N.; Harris, P. J. C. (1990). Evaluation of multipurpose trees in southern Spain. Nitrogen fixing Tree Research Reports, 1990, Vol.8, pp.73-74, 1 ref.

5.04

Hickman, J. C. (editor) 1993. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press. 1400 pp. p.316

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Cuya, O.; Lombardi I., I. (1991). Effects of seed size on the germination and seedling growth of Schinus molle. [FT: Influencia del tamano de semilla en la germinacion y crecimiento de plantulas de Schinus molle.] Revista Forestal del Peru, 1991, Vol.18, No.2, pp.17-27, 16 ref.

6.03

no evidence

6.04

6.05

Eisikowitch, D.; Masad, Y. (1980). Nectar-yielding plants during the dearth season in Israel. Bee World, 1980, Vol.61, No.1, pp.11-18

Plants were studied for 2 years in Kibbutz Shamir, northern Israel, and at Ilanoth in the Sharon coastal plain. Results are given for: flowering period, foraging activity of honeybees, daily mean nectar content per flower, nectar sugar concentration, sugar value [sugar yield/24 h/flower), and flight distance for a honeybee to fill its honey sac. Details are given for 21 plants, with notes on the most important species. It is concluded that it would be possible to span the dearth period in Mediterranean regions of Israel by using introduced plants. Potentially the most valuable are: Eucalyptus species, Schinus molle, Zizyphus spina-christi, Rosmarinus officinalis, Eriobotrya japonica, Hakea laurina v. grammatophyla. D. G. Lowe

6.06

no evidence

6.07

Dr R. Criley, Dept. of Horticulture, University of Hawaii Manoa

7.01

no evidence

7.02

as ornamental

7.03

no evidence

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Gilman E.F. 1996. Horticopia-Trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Desops, Ltd.

Fruit attracts birds

7.07

no evidence

7.08

bird dispersal

8.01

8.02

Camacho Morfín, F. (1985) Identification of the mechanism which inhibits the germination of Schinus molle and a method to overcome it. [Identificación del mecanismo que inhibe la germinación en Schinus molle L. y forma de eliminarlo.] Ciencia Forestal, 1985, Vol.10, No.55, pp.35-49, 17 ref.  

S. molle has a low germinative capacity. Removal of the mesocarp leads to rapid germination. It is concluded that the inhibitory effect of the mesocarp is due to soluble substances contained in it as damaging it without removing it does not stimulate germination, aqueous extracts of intact seeds inhibit germination of seeds with the mesocarp removed, and intact seeds soaked for 24 h or more have the same germination rate as those with the mesocarp removed.

8.03

no evidence of resistence

8.04

Plant master 5.5. California Edition. 1999. Acacia Software.

fire resistant

8.05

Bennett, F. D.; Crestana, L.; Habeck, D. H.; Berti-Filho, E. (1990). Brazilian peppertree - prospects for biological control. Proceedings of the VII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds., 1990, pp.293-297, 18 ref.

Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius ), native to Brazil, has become an aggressive perennial weed in S. Florida following its introduction as an ornamental. Prospects for its biological control, based on a survey of the literature and 2 preliminary field surveys, are discussed. More than 150 phytophagous arthropods attack this plant in Brazil. Potential control agents include Bruchus atronotatus [Acanthoscelides atronotatus ], Episimus utilis and Crasimorpha infuscata, which were tested and released in Hawaii, and Liothrips ichini. Major concerns are the value of the plant to apiarists and the risk that introduced control agents will also attack the ornamental S. molle.