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

Senna alata (candle bush, emperor's candlestick)

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

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

y

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

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

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

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

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

y

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

2

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

n

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

n

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

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

y

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

(1)Native to South America, widely cultivated and naturalized. Naturalized in Hawaii. (2) 'Native to South America, now distributed throughout the tropics; abundantly naturalized in South East Asia…' (3)Widespread in Fiji.

(1)Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2)http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal/acapulco_doc.htm (3)Smith, M.S. and Ali. S. 1979. Anthraquinones from the leaves of Cassia alata from Fiji. New Zealand Journal of of Science. Vol 22, 123-125

1.03

No evidence.

2.01

(1)Native to South America, widely cultivated and naturalized. Naturalized in Hawaii. (2) 'Native to South America, now distributed throughout the tropics; abundantly naturalized in South East Asia…'

(1)Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2)http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal/acapulco_doc.htm

2.02

2.03

(1)USDA zones 10-11. (2)Found from sea level to about 1000 m altitude.

(1)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/CASALAA.pdf (2)Duke, J.A. 1981. Handbook of legumes of world economic importance. Plenum press. London.

2.04

(1)Native to South America, widely cultivated and naturalized. Naturalized in Hawaii. (2) 'Native to South America, now distributed throughout the tropics; abundantly naturalized in South East Asia…'

(1)Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2)http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal/acapulco_doc.htm

2.05

(1)Native to South America, widely cultivated and naturalized. Naturalized in Hawaii. (2) 'Native to South America, now distributed throughout the tropics; abundantly naturalized in South East Asia…'

(1)Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu. (2)http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal/acapulco_doc.htm

3.01

'Native to South America, now distributed throughout the tropics; abundantly naturalized in South East Asia…'

http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal/acapulco_doc.htm

3.02

No evidence.

3.03

1)The biology and weed ecology of Cassia alata, Digitaria insularis, Jatropha gossypifolia, Mimosa spp., Sida spp., Solanum mauritianum and Solanum torvum are briefly described and detailed recommendations are given for the control of these weeds. 2)Declared noxious in Northern Territory (australia)

1)Chadhokar, P. A. 1978. Weed problems of grazing lands and control of some problem weeds in the Markham Valley of Papua New Guinea. PANS, , Vol.24, No.1, pp.63-66. 2)http://members.iinet.net.au/~weeds/western_weeds/bud_cac_caes.htm

3.04

1)" Major weed species in Northern Territory wetlands" (Australia) 2)Particularly aggressive in areas where there is a high water table

1)http://www.ntu.edu.au/faculties/science/sbes/research/Appendix5.htm 2)Csurhes, S. and R. Edwards. 1998. Potential environmental weeds in Australia: Candidate species for preventative control. Queensland Department of Natural Resources.

3.05

Senna pendula is on 2001 FLEPPC list

http://www.fleppc.org/01list.htm

4.01

No evidence.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

4.02

No evidence.

4.03

No evidence.

4.04

Used as a fodder / browse plant

Aletor, V. A.; Omodara, O. A. 1994. Studies on some leguminous browse plants, with particular reference to their proximate, mineral and some endogenous anti-nutritional constituents. Animal Feed Science and Technology, , Vol.46, No.3/4, pp.343-348,

4.05

No evidence."The ethanol extract and compounds isolated from S. alata caused subtle hepatorenal toxicity" IN RATS

Yagi, S. M.; El-Tigani, S.; Adam, S. E. I. 1998. Toxicity of Senna obtusifolia fresh and fermented leaves (kawal), Senna alata leaves and some products from Senna alata on rats. Phytotherapy Research, , Vol.12, No.5, pp.324-330.

4.06

This site lists 14 fungal species to be associated with S. alata. (2) Cercospora canescens causes black root rot in Phaseolus vulgaris. Also (3)Cercospora sp cause Cercopsora leaf spot in grapes (4) causes leaf spots in tomatoes, potatoes, egg plant and blight in Okra. (5) Diaporthe sp affects guava and mango

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm (2)http://www.scisoc.org/resource/common/names/bean.htm Also see http://vegdis.cas.psu.edu/VegDiseases/identification/becls.html (3)http://www.scisoc.org/resource/common/names/grape.htm (4)http://www.biostadt.net/ROKO63.HTM (5)http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/Crop/crops/mango.htm

4.07

No evidence. 'The leaves have been reported to have anti-tumor, insecticidal and laxative qualities. Some patients have been reported as developing chronic diarrhoea from over-use of the plant. Other diseases such as ringworm, scabies and ulcers have also been treated by the leaves of the plant in the South Pacific.'

http://www.nt.gov.au/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/464.htm

4.08

No information regarding fire ecology. Possibly, if it does form thickets.

4.09

1) Prefers open areas and sunlight. 2)Light requirement: tree grows in full sun

1) http://www.hear.org/pier3/seala.htm 2)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/CASALAA.pdf

4.1

Grows in clay, loam and sand.

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/CASALAA.pdf

4.11

No evidence.

4.12

Often forms thickets

http://www.hear.org/pier3/seala.htm

5.01

5.02

5.03

Small leguimous tree, 2-5 m tall.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

5.04

6.01

No evidence.

6.02

Germination occurs in 7-90 days.

http://melanys.tripod.com/Cassia.htm

6.03

No information

6.04

No information

6.05

Pollinated by carpenter bees.

Reddi, C. S.; Aluri, R. J. S.; Atluri, J. B.; Rao, C. B. 1997. Enantiostyly, heteranthery and carpenterbee-pollination in Cassia alata L. (Caesalpiniaceae). Journal of Palynology.Vol33, No.1/2, pp.149-152.

6.06

Propagation by seed. Can also sucker from roots. (does not use vegetative fragmentation as a means of reproduction, does not have running roots on which suckers could spread)

http://www.hear.org/pier3/seala.htm

6.07

Will flower the first year. [seeds presumed to mature by second]

http://melanys.tripod.com/Cassia.htm

7.01

Seeds are relatively large about 5.5 to 6.8 mm long.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

7.02

Probably not - although it has showy flowers it does not seem to be a well known ornamental, nor is it values for its fruits.

7.03

Seeds are relatively large about 5.5 to 6.8 mm long.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

7.04

No information regarding dispersal. Its is a legume and the pods probably split open and the seeds fall to the ground. The seeds do not have any mechanism for wind dispersal.

7.05

7.06

No direct evidence but - 'Fruits do not attract wildlife; inconspicuous and not showy.'

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/CASALAA.pdf

7.07

Propagules do not have any means of attaching themselves.

7.08

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/CASALAA.pdf

8.01

Pods 11-19 cm long and 2-3 mm cm wide. Seeds tan or brown colored rhomboid, flattened, 5.5 - 6.8 mm long.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

8.02

No direct information. Probably yes -with relatively large seeds - 5.5 to 6.8 mm long, hard seed coat. Other Cassia/Senna have persistent seed banks.

8.03

"There is little data available about chemical control, but some control of larger infestations may be possible by slashing aerial growth close to the ground and applying picloram + 2,4-D to the cut surfaces immediately. Triclopyr may also be useful in this way but is not yet registered for this purpose."

http://www.hear.org/pier3/seala.htm

8.04

If cut at ground level, new shoots quickly appear.

http://www.nt.gov.au/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/464.htm

8.05

Don’t know.