Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
Wodyetia bifurcata
RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: 0
|
Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i. Information on Risk Assessments Original risk assessment |
| Wodyetia bifurcata (Common name: foxtail palm) -Arecaceae | Answer | Score | |
| 1.01 | Is the species highly domesticated? | n | 0 |
| 1.02 | Has the species become naturalized where grown? | n | |
| 1.03 | Does the species have weedy races? | 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” | 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 |
| 2.04 | Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates | y | 1 |
| 2.05 | Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2 | y | |
| 3.01 | Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05 | n | -2 |
| 3.02 | Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 3.03 | Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 3.04 | Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 3.05 | Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2) | n | 0 |
| 4.01 | Produces spines, thorns or burrs | n | 0 |
| 4.02 | Allelopathic | n | 0 |
| 4.03 | Parasitic | n | 0 |
| 4.04 | Unpalatable to grazing animals | ||
| 4.05 | Toxic to animals | n | 0 |
| 4.06 | Host for recognized pests and pathogens | n | 0 |
| 4.07 | Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans | ||
| 4.08 | Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems | n | 0 |
| 4.09 | Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle | n | 0 |
| 4.1 | Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island) | y | 1 |
| 4.11 | Climbing or smothering growth habit | n | 0 |
| 4.12 | Forms dense thickets | n | 0 |
| 5.01 | Aquatic | n | 0 |
| 5.02 | Grass | n | 0 |
| 5.03 | Nitrogen fixing woody plant | n | 0 |
| 5.04 | Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers) | n | 0 |
| 6.01 | Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat | n | 0 |
| 6.02 | Produces viable seed. | y | 1 |
| 6.03 | Hybridizes naturally | y | 1 |
| 6.04 | Self-compatible or apomictic | y | 1 |
| 6.05 | Requires specialist pollinators | ||
| 6.06 | Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation | n | -1 |
| 6.07 | Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1 | 3 | 0 |
| 7.01 | Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas) | y | 1 |
| 7.02 | Propagules dispersed intentionally by people | y | 1 |
| 7.03 | Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant | n | -1 |
| 7.04 | Propagules adapted to wind dispersal | n | -1 |
| 7.05 | Propagules water dispersed | n | -1 |
| 7.06 | Propagules bird dispersed | n | -1 |
| 7.07 | Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) | n | -1 |
| 7.08 | Propagules survive passage through the gut | ||
| 8.01 | Prolific seed production (>1000/m2) | n | -1 |
| 8.02 | Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr) | y | 1 |
| 8.03 | Well controlled by herbicides | ||
| 8.04 | Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire | ||
| 8.05 | Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents) | ||
| Total score: | 0 |
Supporting data:
|
Notes |
Reference |
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|
1.01 |
No evidence |
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1.02 |
No evidence |
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1.03 |
No evidence |
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2.01 |
(1)Australia - "The species occurs naturally in the Melville Range, near Bathurst Bay on Cape York Penninsula, north-eastern Queensland. " (2)Foxtail palm grows naturally amongst rocks and boulders in northeastern Australia, specifically in northeastern Queensland, in the Melville Range, near Bathurst Bay on the Cape York Peninsula. This is a very limited distribution and foxtail palm is listed as a Threatened Species in Australia. ... The climate in this area of Australia is tropical with a prolonged dry season." (3)Fast becoming one of the most popular landscaping palms in the tropics and sub-tropics. |
(1)Jones, David. 1995. Palms throughout the world. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington D.C. Page 380. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm (3)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Wodyetia/bifurcata.html |
|
2.02 |
Fast becoming one of the most popular landscaping palms in the tropics and sub-tropics. |
http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Wodyetia/bifurcata.html |
|
2.03 |
(1)Hardiness: USDA Zones 10 - 11. (2)Hardiness: USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8° C (25° F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1°C (30° F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C (35° F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5° C (40° F) (3)It is essentially a USDA Zone 9B through 11B specimen. |
(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm (2)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58118/ (3)http://www.palmdoctor.com/Palm_0f_The_Month/Foxtail_palm.htm |
|
2.04 |
(1)Australia - "The species occurs naturally in the Melville Range, near Bathurst Bay on Cape York Penninsula, north-eastern Queensland. " (2)Foxtail palm grows naturally amongst rocks and boulders in northeastern Australia, specifically in northeastern Queensland, in the Melville Range, near Bathurst Bay on the Cape York Peninsula. This is a very limited distribution and foxtail palm is listed as a Threatened Species in Australia. ... The climate in this area of Australia is tropical with a prolonged dry season." (3)Fast becoming one of the most popular landscaping palms in the tropics and sub-tropics. |
(1)Jones, David. 1995. Palms throughout the world. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington D.C. Page 380. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm (3)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Wodyetia/bifurcata.html |
|
2.05 |
(1)"A delightful palm which has expanded in popularity and is now widely planted in many countries." (2)Even today, the Queensland Government still has the palm on its endangered species list, even though there are now tens of thousands of the palms growing throughout the world, many of which are now fruiting. (3)Introduced to California, Hawaii, Texas, Puerto Rico, Arizona and Florida. |
(1)Jones, David. 1995. Palms throughout the world. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington D.C. Page 380. (2)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Wodyetia/bifurcata.html (3)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58118/ |
|
3.01 |
No evidence of naturalization |
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3.02 |
No evidence |
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3.03 |
No evidence. |
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3.04 |
No evidence |
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3.05 |
"Wodyetia bifurcata is the only plant in the genus, which was named in honor of Wodyeti, an Australian Aboriginal bushman who was the last male in his line of Melville Range Aborigines." |
http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm |
|
4.01 |
(1)No evidence of such structures. (2)Foxtail palm is thornless |
(10Meerow, A. W. 1992. Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Betrock Information Systems, Inc. Cooper City Florida. Page 103. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm |
|
4.02 |
No evidence |
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4.03 |
No evidence |
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4.04 |
It’s a palm - out of reach of most herbivores. |
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4.05 |
No evidence |
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4.06 |
Major pest problems none. |
Meerow, A. W. 1992. Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Betrock Information Systems, Inc. Cooper City Florida. Page 103. |
|
4.07 |
(1) "Human hazards- none". (2)Danger: Seed is poisonous if ingested [Don’t know - No further evidence on seeds being poisonous]. |
(1)Meerow, A. W. 1992. Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Betrock Information Systems, Inc. Cooper City Florida. Page 103. (2)http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58118/ |
|
4.08 |
Probably not -although in its native range in Australia it occurs in areas with a prolonged dry season this is otherwise a tall solitary palm with the crown at 15 -20 ft height, does not accumulate dead biomass, also not know to form thickets or to be grown in groups. |
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4.09 |
(1)"Plants demad good drainage but seedlings will take hot sun from an early age" (2)Light Requirements: Moderate, High. Foxtail palms take full sun even at a young age. (3)"Their natural habitat is in hot sun, so they should be allowed to grow up into this." (4)Sun Exposure: Full Sun Sun to Partial Shade |
(1)Jones, David. 1995. Palms throughout the world. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington D.C. Page 380. (2)Meerow, A. W. 1992. Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Betrock Information Systems, Inc. Cooper City Florida. Page 103. (3)Krempin, Jack. 1995 |
|
4.1 |
(1)In native range it grows in
loose granite, sandy soils amont huge granite boulders. (2)Soil
requirements: widely adaptable. Foxtial palm is very fast growing and
appears adaptable to a braod range of soil conditions. (3)They tolerate a
wide variety of well drained soils, including alkaline limestone soils and
rocky sands. (4)Soil pH requirements: |
(1)Jones, David. 1995. Palms throughout the world. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington D.C. Page 380. (2)Meerow, A. W. 1992. Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Betrock Information Systems, Inc. Cooper City Florida. Page 103. (3)http://www.florida |
|
4.11 |
Not a climber - a solitary palm. |
http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm |
|
4.12 |
No evidence |
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5.01 |
||
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5.02 |
||
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5.03 |
No evidence |
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5.04 |
||
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6.01 |
"The entire population is protected within the Cape Melville National Park, where it appears to be regenerating well. The species is listed in the Nature Conservation Act (Queensland) 1994. " |
http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/38733/all |
|
6.02 |
Propagation: Foxtail palm is propagated by seeds. Some seeds germinate 2-3 months after sowing, and others will take up to 12 months to sprout. |
http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm |
|
6.03 |
(1)"Wodyetia bifurcata is the only plant in the genus, which was named in honor of Wodyeti, an Australian Aboriginal bushman who was the last male in his line of Melville Range Aborigines." (2)Also, great hybrids with other genera are becoming available. |
(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm (2)http://www.junglemusic.net/palms/wodyetia-bifurcata.htm (3)http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hybrid/msg0704282017191.html?5 (4)http://www.fairchildgarden.org/palmguide/genus.php?family=ARECACEAE&g |
|
6.04 |
(1)Separate male and female flowers on the same inflorescence. (2)Sex monoecious. Self pollinating for seed production. (3)The foxtail palm bears white blossoms of both sexes at the base of its crown, and a single palm is capable of producing fertile seeds. |
(1)Meerow, A. W. 1992. Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Betrock Information Systems, Inc. Cooper City Florida. Page 103. (2)Krempin, Jack. 1995. Popular Palms. Krempin Books. (3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm |
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6.05 |
||
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6.06 |
No evidence of vegetative spread in the wild. |
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6.07 |
(1)Plants have proved to be fast growing and adaptable. (2)Foxtial palm is very fast growing. (3)The foxtail growth rate has been documented to be 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)/year under good conditions. [Probably takes 2 to 3 years to reach maturity]. |
(1)Jones, David. 1995. Palms throughout the world. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington D.C. Page 380. (2)Meerow, A. W. 1992. Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Betrock Information Systems, Inc. Cooper City Florida. Page 103. (3)http://www.floridat |
|
7.01 |
"Foxtails are being planted in rows along streets and driveways. Foxtail palm is also grown as a house or conservatory plant in well lit areas." [Probably yes - being planted in heavily trafficked areas]. |
http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm |
|
7.02 |
(1)Foxtail palm has recently become a very popular ornamental in the southern parts of Florida, California and Texas. (2)There is currently an unprecedented demand in the nursery industry for seed, and this attractive Australian species will likely become one of the most popular items, for landscaping in moist tropical and subtropical areas." |
(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm (2)Meerow, A. W. 1992. Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms. Betrock Information Systems, Inc. Cooper City Florida. Page 103. |
|
7.03 |
Probably not - no evidence that the species grows or is being planted near field crops. |
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7.04 |
Probably not - no evidence that the propagules have adaptations for wind dispersal. |
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7.05 |
Probably not - no evidence that the species inhabits waterways. |
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7.06 |
(1)"A mature foxtail palm has a canopy of 8-10 leaves, each with the characteristic foxtail or bottlebrush appearance, and a crown of foliage 15-20 ft (4.6-6.1 m) across. ... Foxtail palm produces colorful clusters of red to orange-red fruit, each containing just one seed." Also photo of fruits. (2)"It produces large (about the size of a duck egg) orange fruit. " [Probably not- relatively large fruits] |
(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm (2)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Wodyetia/bifurcata.html |
|
7.07 |
Probably not - no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment. |
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7.08 |
(1)"A mature foxtail palm has a canopy of 8-10 leaves, each with the characteristic foxtail or bottlebrush appearance, and a crown of foliage 15-20 ft (4.6-6.1 m) across. ... Foxtail palm produces colorful clusters of red to orange-red fruit, each containing just one seed." Also photo of fruits. (2)"It produces large (about the size of a duck egg) orange fruit. " [Probably not- relatively large fruits] |
(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm (2)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Wodyetia/bifurcata.html |
|
8.01 |
(1)"A mature foxtail palm has a canopy of 8-10 leaves, each with the characteristic foxtail or bottlebrush appearance, and a crown of foliage 15-20 ft (4.6-6.1 m) across. ... Foxtail palm produces colorful clusters of red to orange-red fruit, each containing just one seed." Also photo of fruits. (2)"It produces large (about the size of a duck egg) orange fruit. " [Probably not- relatively large fruits] |
(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm (2)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Wodyetia/bifurcata.html |
|
8.02 |
Although Foxtail Palm seeds maintain their viability for months at a time, Rosebud Farm only supplies the freshest seeds to its customers. [Probably yes - the fruits are large, the size of duck eggs and the seeds remain viable for months at a time]. |
http://www.rosebudfarmnursery.com/foxtail.html |
|
8.03 |
No evidence that the species is being controlled for. |
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8.04 |
Don’t know |
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8.05 |
Don’t know. |
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This page created 24 December 2006