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

Veitchia merrillii (Adonidia merrillii , Christmas palm. Manila palm)

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

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

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

y

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

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

4

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

n

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

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 of it being naturalized.

1.03

No evidence.

2.01

Native to Philippine and widely grown in warm climates for its display of red fruits.

Krempin. J. 1990. Palms and cycads around the world. Horwitz Grahame Pvt Ltd. Sydney. Australia

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness zones 10B-11. (2)Growing from sealevel to 1000 m in forests.

(1)Southren Trees. CD-ROM database. (2) Krempin. J. 1990. Palms and cycads around the world. Horwitz Grahame Pvt Ltd. Sydney. Australia

2.04

(1)Native to Palawan Island. (2) Native to Philippine and widely grown in warm climates for its display of red fruits.

(1)Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers. CD-ROM database. (2) Krempin. J. 1990. Palms and cycads around the world. Horwitz Grahame Pvt Ltd. Sydney. Australia

2.05

Native to Philippine and widely grown in warm climates for its display of red fruits.

Krempin. J. 1990. Palms and cycads around the world. Horwitz Grahame Pvt Ltd. Sydney. Australia

3.01

No evidence of it being naturalized.

3.02

No evidence.

3.03

No evidence.

3.04

No evidence.

3.05

No evidence.

4.01

No evidence.

Merrill E.D. 1925. Enumeration of Phillipine flowering plants. Vol 3. Manila bureau of printing.

4.02

No evidence.

4.03

No evidence.

4.04

No information

4.05

No evidence.

4.06

(1)This site lists 14 species of fungi to be associated with V. merrillii. Alternaria sp.: FL - 1
Cercospora sp.: FL - 1
Chalara paradoxa: FL - 8448
Colletotrichum sp.: FL - 1
Fusarium sp.: FL - 1
Helminthosporium sp.: FL - 1
Pestalotia palmarum: FL - 1
Phaeoseptoria sp.: FL - 8450
Phomopsis sp.: FL - 1
Phyllosticta sp.: FL - 1
Pythium sp.: FL - 1
Rhizoctonia solani: FL - 1
Rhizoctonia sp.: HI - 1710
Stigmina palmivora: FL - 1
(2) Stigmina palmivora causes diseases in banana and mango trees but don’t know about the severity. 3)Host for several pests of coconut.

(1)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm (2)http://www.scisoc.org/resource/common/names/coconut.htm and http://www.scisoc.org/resource/common/names/mango.htm 3)Pedro, L. B. de; Borines, L. M.; Gapasin, D. P. 1990,Biology and host range of the coconut leaffolder, Telicota palmarum Moore (Hesperiidae, Lepidoptera). Annals of Tropical Research, Vol.12, No.1/4, pp.10-17, Cayme, T. L.; Gapasin, D. P. 1987. Biology, host range and natural enemies of the coconut spider mite, Oligonychus velascoi Rimando. Annals of Tropical Research, , Vol.9, No.2, pp.59-67

4.07

No evidence.

4.08

No evidence.

4.09

(1)Partial shade to full sun. 'Christmas palm should receive some shade while young but will grow in full sun when older …'

(1)Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers. CD-ROM database.

4.1

1)Clay, Sandy, loam, well drained soil. 2)Tolerant of the limestone soils of southern Florida.

1)Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers. CD-ROM database. 2)http://westendnursery.com/plants/adonidia.shtml

4.11

No evidence - not a vine.

4.12

No evidence.

5.01

A palm tree belonging to Aracaceae.

Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers. CD-ROM database.

5.02

5.03

5.04

6.01

No evidence

6.02

Propagate by seed

Whistler, A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Timber press.

6.03

No information.

6.04

No information

6.05

Bee pollinated

Kiew, R.; Muid, M. 1989. Bees and palms in Peninsular Malaysia. Principes, Vol.33, No.2, pp.74-77

6.06

Palm, no runners

6.07

1)Growth rate moderate with a life span of 25 to 50 years. 2)R. Criley, UH Department of Horticulture, personal communication

Southren Trees. CD-ROM database

7.01

No evidence that propagules have any means of attachment.

7.02

yes - it has a showy trunk and attractive fruits - is cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers. CD-ROM database.

7.03

Large seed

7.04

Large seed

7.05

Fleshy fruit, not a beach plant

7.06

Fleshy, red fruit

7.07

no means of attachment

7.08

Bird-dispersed

8.01

Fruits red - 2 to 3 cm long, fleshy. 1 seed per fruit

8.02

Palm seeds have a limited lifespan and require specialised conditions of storage and transport to survive.

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/agency/Pubns/FARMNOTE/1994/f064a94.htm

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

No information.

8.05

high susceptibility to lethal yellowing disease.

http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/fyn/publications/dtpl-palms-g-z.htm