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

Syagrus romanzoffiana (syn. Cocos plumosa); queen palm other synonyms:Arecastrum romanzoffianum (Cham.) Becc.Cocos australis Mart. Cocos romanzoffiana Cham.

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

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

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

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

n

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

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

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

y

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

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

n

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

-2

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

no evidence

1.03

no evidence

2.01

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

List of countries with natural populations
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

2.02

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

2.03

(1) 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.
(2) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
(3) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (4)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Syagrus/romanzoffiana.html

(1) AB: "A survey of cold damage to palms was conducted from Aug. to Oct. 1990, 8-10 months after the most severe advective freeze of this century in the New Orleans area. A total of 9039 palms, from 14 genera, were surveyed. For statistical analysis there were 3 damage categories: (1) no visible damage, or lost foliage replaced by vigorous new growth, (2) lost foliage replaced, but regrowth not vigorous, and (3) foliage regrowth either dead or absent, or trunks fallen or broken. Butia capitata , Chamaerops humilis , Livistona chinensis , Rhapis excelsa , Syagrus romanzoffiana [Arecastrum romanzoffianum ], Washingtonia filifera and W. robusta were statistically unreliable (i.e. scored highly in categories 2 and/or 3). "
(2) " It is valued for its frost tolerance (to about -3C), and relatively broad environmental tolerances"Natural latitude range
Approximate limits north to south: 15S to 35S
Climate descriptors
- Altitude range: 0 - 1000 m
- Mean annual rainfall: 500 - 3000 mm
- Rainfall regime: summer

2.04

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

List of countries with natural populations
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

2.05

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

"its greatest economic prominence as a cultivated ornamental in subtropical regions around the world"

3.01

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Syagrus/romanzoffiana.html

It is quite common to find seedlings of this species sprouting in the garden, far away from any possible parent. This is due to the flying foxes chewing the seeds like sweets, and then dropping them when all the sweetness has gone.

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

(1)http://www.graftoncity.nsw.gov.au/engineering/Weeds-Replacements.pdf (2)Randall, R. 2001. Garden thugs, a national list of invasive and potentially invasive garden plants. Plant Protection Quarterly 16:138-171.

(1)Commonly grown as ornamental; Becoming very invasive; Seed spread by birds.[Australia] (2)"sleeper" wee [Australia]

3.05

no evidence

4.01

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P.130

no description of these traits

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

(1)CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://eebweb.arizona.edu/HERB/PALMS/palms.htm

(1)are used with the leaves as cattle fodder (2)In Brazil the palm is often cut down to provide animal fodder in times of drought.

4.05

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

are used with the leaves as cattle fodder

4.06

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

Fungus diseases:
Ceratocystis paradoxa (a disease infect several crops, eg. Coffee, pineapple, banna, sugarcae, and palms)
Ganoderma zonatum (cause root roting on several broad leave trees, including Citrus reticulata)
Gliocladium vermoeseni (cause trunk, bud rot on various palms)
Phytophthora palmivora (cause Phytophthora bud rot on queen palm, European fan palm and Washingtonia spp.)
[the bud/trunk rot on palm kill the tree cause considerable economic cost]

4.07

(1)http://eebweb.arizona.edu/HERB/PALMS/palms.htm (2)http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache:7wbRTi1aNvoJ:
www.unce.unr.edu/publications/SpecPubs/SP0028.doc+queen+palm+pollinators&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

no evidence (1) 'Also, people eat the unexpanded leaves of apical buds and the fruit in some regions.' (2) Listed as a medium allergen.

4.08

single-trunked palm - self-cleaning

4.09

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.; (2) Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P.130

(1) Full sun ; (2) Full sun

4.1

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.; (2) Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P.130

(1) Soil Condition Loamy, sandy, clay, acidic, neutral, tolerates salt, somewhat drought tolerant, tolerates wetness ; (2) various well-drained soil

4.11

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P.130

large single-trunked erect palm

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

palm, Arecaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

palm

6.01

Gomes, E. P. C.; Mantovani, W. (2001) Size distributions in a warm temperate forest tree populations in São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. Naturalia (São Paulo), 2001, Vol.26, pp.131-158, 48 ref.

AB: "S. romanzoffiana showed an irregular size class distribution for the higher classes, but rely several recruits in lower classes. "

6.02

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P.130

Propagation-seed

6.03

Môro, F. V.; Silva, M. A. S.; Môro, J. R. (1999) Pollen viability in Syagrus romanzoffiana and S. coronata (Arecaceae). ED: Caballero Ruano, M. Acta Horticulturae, 1999, No.486, pp.215-217, 4 ref.

AB: "Palms of the genus Syagrus have several natural hybrids in Brazil. They are widely cultivated around the world as ornamentals. S. romanzoffiana [Arecastrum romanzoffianum ] is the parent of several natural hybrids with other Syagrus species that are potentially useful for heart of palm production. "  

6.04

no evidence

6.05

no evidence [palm with typical insect-type flowers]

6.06

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P.130

Propagation-seed

6.07

(1)http://www.plantapalm.com/Vpe/photos/Species/syagrus_romanzoffiana.htm (2)http://www.palmnursery.com.au/nursery.htm

(1)fast growth (2)A fast grower [minimum for a fast-growing large palm]

7.01

unlikely with large-sized seed

7.02

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

S. romanzoffiana achieves its greatest economic prominence as a cultivated ornamental in subtropical regions around the world.

7.03

no evidence

7.04

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P.130

fruit drupe, yellow, broad ovoid, to 1 inch long, fleshy fibrous exterior

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Guix, J. C.; Ruiz, X. (1995) Toucans and thrushes as potential dispersers of seed-predatory weevil larvae in southeastern Brazil. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 1995, Vol.73, No.4, pp.745-748, 19 ref.

AB: "The fruits of both trees are eaten by toucans (Ramphastos dicolorus and R. vitellinus ) and those of the palm also by thrushes (Turdus rufiventris ). "

7.07

lack structure for attachment

7.08

Olmos, F.; Pardini, R.; Boulhosa, R. L. P.; Bürgi, R.; Morsello, C. (1999) Do tapirs steal food from palm seed predators or give them a lift? Biotropica, 1999, Vol.31, No.2, pp.375-379, 37 ref.

AB: "There was no significant difference in the proportion of live seeds between new and old dung piles. Similarly, there was no significant difference between the proportion of live seeds in tapir dung and among the fresh seeds. On the other hand, the proportion of live seeds was significantly lower among the old seeds compared to the dung piles. The similarity between the proportion of live seeds in dung piles and among the fresh seeds showed that tapirs were removing recently fallen seeds from under the parent palms without increasing seed mortality or affecting larvae infection by passage through their digestive tracts. "

8.01

http://palms.netfirms.com/seedfig3.html

potentially > 1000 seeds per inflorescence, as seen in the photograph, don't know about viability rates

8.02

(1) CAB International, (2000) Forestry Compendium Global Module. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. ; (2) Broschat, T. K.; Donselman, H. (1988) Palm seed storage and germination studies. Principes, 1988, Vol.32, No.1, pp.3-12, 11 ref.

(1) Seed storage recalcitrant; (2) AB: "Most palm seeds germinated rapidly and consistently when half-ripe to ripe seeds were held at between 30 and 35 deg C."; "The best method for long-term storage was to clean half-ripe or ripe seeds, air dry them at 80-90% RH, treat with a seed-protectant fungicide (e.g. thiram) and store at 23 deg in tightly sealed polyethylene containers. In a comparison of sowing on the surface or at depths of >6 cm, the optimum sowing depth was dependent on the drying potential of the germination site, to prevent embryo desiccation " [show no dormancy, need protection from fungal infection, volunable to embryo dessication]

8.03

no evidence of being controlled

8.04

(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7 (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST609

(1)"Half of the roots survive cutting by sprouting new roots from behind the cut ends. Palms with bigger root balls regenerate roots well and transplant most successfully. Root balls of field grown nursery plants or on palms dug and moved in the landscape should be as large as possible for best survival and health following transplanting. If the root ball is only slightly wider than the trunk, it is probably too small." [a singel trunk palm that doesn't regenerate damaged roots very well ] (2)Pruning off too many fronds at one time can cause the palm to decline. Growth often slows with new foliage aborting to display distorted leaflets. The trunk is also very susceptible to decay. Prevent injury to the trunk by keeping turf well away from the trunk.

8.05

no evidence