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

Spathiphyllum wallisii (spathe flower, peace lily, Spathyphyllum) [Spathiphyllum x ‘Clevelandii’ is an artificial hybrid, very similar]

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

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

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

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

y

4.1

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

y=1, n=0

n

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

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

y

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

1

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

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

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:

-4

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

No evidence

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Native Habitat -Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia and Venez (2)Climate group: Subtropical.

(1)Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)Horticopia Plant Master. 5.5 CD-ROM database.

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness Range 8A to 11 (2)Climate group: Sub-tropical. (3)needs constant moisture (4)found in wet to swampy areas of forests, growing along streams, or open swampy areas; The humidity should be high [genus information]

(1)Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)Horticopia Plant Master. 5.5 CD-ROM database. (3)www.rso.cornell.edu/hortusforum/page6.html (4)http://facultystaff.vwc.edu/~presslar/greenhouse/spathiphyllum/genus_spath.htm

2.04

(1)Native Habitat -Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia and Venez (2)Climate group: Subtropical.

(1)Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)Horticopia Plant Master. 5.5 CD-ROM database.

2.05

(1) India, (2) Mexico, (3) Taiwan (4)Widely cultivated

(1) Das, A.; Paul, A. K.; Chaudhuri, S. (2000) Micropropagation of Spathiphyllum wallisii - an important ornamental plant. Horticultural Journal, 2000, Vol.13, No.2, pp.71-75, 8 ref.
(2) García C., O.; Alcántar G., G.; Cabrera, R. I.; Gavi R., F.; Volke H., V. (2001) Substrate evaluation for container production of Epipremnum aureum and Spathiphyllum wallisii . [FT: Evaluación de sustratos para la producción de Epipremnum aureum y Spathiphyllum wallisii cultivadas en maceta.] Terra, 2001, Vol.19, No.3, pp.249-258, 27 ref.
(3) Hsu SenHsiung; Ho YunnShy (1998) Microclimate in the shaded gable house and the growth of Spathiphyllum under different irrigation systems. Chinese Journal of Agrometeorology, 1998, Vol.5, No.4, pp.171-180, 26 ref. (4)Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. P.424

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/spasppa.pdf

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence

(1)Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)Horticopia Plant Master. 5.5 CD-ROM database.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know

4.05

(1)Listed as toxic to animals but no evidence that it has been eaten naturally. (2)Toxic to turtles [esoteric]

(1)http://www.sniksnak.com/plants.html (2)http://www.samenkiste.de/dtl/dtl_e_0128.htm

4.06

(1)Pests and Diseases: susceptible to root rot, leaf spots and bacterial soft rot (2)Calonectria spathiphylli [also infects Heliconia nad Portulacaeae at least, suggesting wide host range but not much information] (3)aroid thrips (Psydrothrips luteolus) [attacks most Araceae]

(1)Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/reports/heliconia_pest.htm (3)http://www.tropical-seeds.com/tech_forum/pubs_res/land_flor1.html (3)http://www.tropical-seeds.com/tech_forum/pubs_res/land_flor1.html

4.07

(1) 'A case report was presented of man in whom exposure to the spathe flower (Spathiphyllum-wallisii) caused allergic rhinitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, contact urticaria, and generalized urticaria. The 22 year old man worked for a firm that rented plants to businesses and also maintained the plants. He had exceptionally strong occupational exposure to plants because he washed, cleaned and trimmed them. On the job he had mild respiratory symptoms that development into an asthmatic condition. Spathe flower and dracena gave positive responses in skin prick tests. The authors conclude that the patient probably developed direct respiratory symptoms from respiratory exposure to the plant allergens, and contact dermatitis/urticaria from skin contact with plant allergens. 'Allergy, 50(2):174-178, 1995. (30 references)
(2) AB: A 22-year-old male developed IgE-mediated allergic rhinitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and contact and generalized urticaria caused by exposure (respiratory exposure and skin contact) to the p

(1) http://infoventures.com/osh/abs/agri0005.html
(2) Kanerva, L.; Mäkinen-Kiljunen, S.; Kiistala, R.; Granlund, H. (1995) Occupational allergy caused by spathe flower (Spathiphyllum wallisii ). Allergy (Copenhagen), 1995, Vol.50, No.2, pp.174-178, 30 ref.
(3) Kanerva, L.; Estlander, T.; Petman, L.; Mäkinen-Kiljunen, S. (2001) Occupational allergic contact urticaria to yucca (Yucca aloifolia ), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina ), and spathe flower (Spathiphyllum wallisii ). Allergy (Copenhagen), 2001, Vol.56, No.10, pp.1008-1011, 27 ref.

4.08

Probably not - Herbaceous evergreen plant.

Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

4.09

(1)Exposure Full shade to partial sun (2)Shade (3)direct sun will damage leaves

(1)Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)Horticopia Plant Master. 5.5 CD-ROM database. (3)http://www.rso.cornell.edu/hortusforum/page6.html

4.1

(1)Soil Condition Loamy, neutral (2)Soil type: Loam.(3)Fertile moist soils (4)loose, fibrous, moisture-retentive soil is best,

(1)Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database. (2)Horticopia Plant Master. 5.5 CD-ROM database. (3)Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. P.424 (4)http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/spaclea.pdf

4.11

Probably not - not a vine.

Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Terrestrial

Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

5.02

Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

5.03

Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

5.04

Root Form: rhizome

Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

6.01

No evidence

6.02

'Plant generally do not bloom before reaching a full 15 cm pot size which may require 6 to 12 months when starting with small seedlings or tissue culture explants.'

Canadian Journal of Botany. 1986. 64(7): 1397 - 1401

6.03

No evidence [artificial hybrids]

6.04

No evidence

6.05

p. 11 "The two aroid genera with bee pollination and starchless pollen (Anthurium and Spathiphyllum) were pollinated by male euglossine bees, which collect scent instead of pollen."

http://www.thebeeworks.com/downloads/eer1186.pdf

6.06

Propagation: seeds

Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

6.07

'Plant generally do not bloom before reaching a full 15 cm pot size which may require 6 to 12 months when starting with small seedlings or tissue culture explants.'

Canadian Journal of Botany. 1986. 64(7): 1397 - 1401

7.01

No evidence that the species has propagules with any means of attachment.

7.02

Attractive flowers or blooms- Blooms appear periodically throughout the year

Horticopia A to Z. CD-ROM database.

7.03

Don’t know seed morphology.

7.04

"Fruit a white berry, infrequently formed in cultivation"

Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. P.424

7.05

no evidence [but they grow along streams and swampy areas, so it is possible]

7.06

(1)"Fruit a white berry, infrequently formed in cultivation" [no evidence of attraction to birds; spathe hides frut from above] (2)inconspicuous, berry-like fruits. [not likely to be attractive]

(1)Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. P.424 (2)http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/spasppa.pdf

7.07

no means of attachement

7.08

no evidence [probably not]

8.01

(1)Fruit infrequently formed in cultivation (2)Seed packets sold containing only 6 seeds, implying that seeds are not very small or they are rare

(1)Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. P.424 (2)http://www.seedlings.com/seeds/houseplants/lily_mauna_loa_500.shtml

8.02

Don’t know

8.03

NO evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

Don’t know.

8.05

Don’t know