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

Zamia furfuracea = Z. maritima (Cardboard cycad or plant)

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

y

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

y

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

y

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

y

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

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

y

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

n

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

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

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:

-2

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

No evidence that the species is naturalized beyond native range.

1.03

No evidence.

2.01

Native to warm sandy coastal plains of Mexico.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/Z/zami_fur.cfm

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness range 9B to 11. (2) '...it grows between sea level and 200 m in sandy soils and limestone sea cliffs.'

(1)Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcover. CD-Rom database. (2)http://lsvl.la.asu.edu/plb306/kpigg/studentproj/Zamia_Ada.html

2.04

Native to warm sandy coastal plains of Mexico.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/Z/zami_fur.cfm

2.05

A common landscape item in tropical and subtropical areas around the world

http://www.floridata.com/ref/Z/zami_fur.cfm

3.01

No evidence that the species is naturalized beyond native range.

3.02

No evidence.

3.03

No evidence.

3.04

"not known to be invasive"

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/ZAMFURA.PDF

3.05

No evidence.

4.01

'...bearing a tangled profusion of pinnate leaves 1-1.3 meters long, on prickly stalks…'

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/199600031.html

4.02

No evidence.

4.03

No evidence.

4.04

Although attacked by Eumaeus spp. (moths), Non-specialist herbivores presumably avoid Zamia because all parts are toxic to nonspecialists

Negrón-Ortiz, V.; Gorchov, D. L. 2000. Effects of fire season and postfire herbivory on the cycad Zamia pumila (Zamiaceae) in slash pine savanna, Everglades National Park, Florida. International Journal of Plant Sciences,, Vol.161, pp.659-669. [see page 667]

4.05

Poisonous Part
Fleshy seeds.
Symptoms
Headache, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Processed flour made from the root is not toxic and is made into bread and spaghetti.
Toxic Principle
Glycoside.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. (2)A Floridata visitor reports that his dog died after chewing Zamia seeds

4.06

This site lists 2 fungi to be associated with Z. furfuracea. Diplodia sp
Fusarium sp
The species of these genera is not specified.

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

Poisonous Part
Fleshy seeds.
Symptoms
Headache, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Processed flour made from the root is not toxic and is made into bread and spaghetti.
Toxic Principle
Glycoside.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. (2)A Floridata visitor reports that his dog died after chewing Zamia seeds

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Zamiasp.htm (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/Z/zami_fur.cfm

4.08

No information regarding fire ecology.

4.09

(1)Partial shade to full sun. (2)Full sun (3)prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun. (4)likes full sun

(1)Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcover. CD-Rom database. (2)Plant Master 5.5 CD-ROM database. (3)http://www.hortpix.com/pc4533.htm (4)http://www.pacsoa.org.au/cycads/Zamia/furfuracea.html

4.1

(1)Sandy, Loam, alkaline, neutral and acidic. (2)Sandy, Loam and rocky

(1)Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcover. CD-Rom database. (2)Plant Master 5.5 CD-ROM database.

4.11

No evidence - not a vine.

4.12

No evidence.

5.01

5.02

5.03

It is a cycad.

5.04

emerges from a large underground storage root

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/ZAMFURA.PDF

6.01

No evidence.

6.02

Propagation by seed.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/Z/zami_fur.cfm

6.03

No information regarding hybridization.

6.04

(1)Male and female reproductive structures (cones) form on separate plants. (2)Z. fufuracea does not produce viable seeds if the pollinator weevil Rhopalotria mollis is excluded from the female cone.

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/Z/zami_fur.cfm (2)Vovides, A. P. 1991. Insect Symbiots of some mexican cycads in their natural habitat. Biotripica. 23(1): 102-104.

6.05

Z. fufuracea is pollinated by the snout weevil Rhopalotria millis. This weevil is host specific. Z. furfuracea does not produce viable seeds if these pollinators are excluded from the female cones.

Vovides, A. P. 1991. Insect Symbiots of some mexican cycads in their natural habitat. Biotripica. 23(1): 102-104.

6.06

Propagation by seed.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/Z/zami_fur.cfm

6.07

This is a slow growing plant that invests in its large below ground stem before reproducing.

Negron-Ortiz, Vivian; Gorchov, David L. 1996. Population structure in Zamia (Zamiaceae) in northern Puerto Rico. II. Seed germination and stage structured population projection. International Journal of Plant Sciences,157: 605-14

7.01

Seeds 2 - 2.2 cm X 1 - 1.2 cm, ovoid, pink to red.

Jones, D. L. Cycads of the world. Smithsonian Institue Press. Washington D.C. Press.

7.02

Probably yes since it is commonly used for landscaping.

Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcover. CD-Rom database and Plant Master 5.5 CD-ROM database.

7.03

Seeds 2 - 2.2 cm X 1 - 1.2 cm, ovoid, pink to red.

Jones, D. L. Cycads of the world. Smithsonian Institue Press. Washington D.C. Press.

7.04

large seeds

7.05

plants don’t grow near water

7.06

1)fruit dry and hard 2)for cycas in general, birds, monkeys may act as agents of seed dispersal

1)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/ZAMFURA.PDF2)http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/biology/pollination.htm

7.07

Probably not since the propagules do ot have any means of attachment.

Jones, D. L. Cycads of the world. Smithsonian Institue Press. Washington D.C. Press.

7.08

No information on dispersal.

8.01

(1)When ripe, the female cone breaks to reveal an array of tightly packed, bright red 1 inch seeds.
(2) Seeds 2 - 2.2 cm X 1 - 1.2 cm, ovoid, pink to red.

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/Z/zami_fur.cfm. (2)Jones, D. L. Cycads of the world. Smithsonian Institue Press. Washington D.C. Press.

8.02

Germination could be obtained within 1-3 months under greenhouse conditions if the outer fleshy seed coat was removed and the inner stony layer scarified. [hard seed coat suggests > 1 year viability]

HortScience, , Vol.13, No.4, pp.436-438.

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

Based on positive response of congener to fire, and based on large underground storage organ, Z. furfuracea probably tolerates fire well.

Negrón-Ortiz, V.; Gorchov, D. L. 2000. Effects of fire season and postfire herbivory on the cycad Zamia pumila (Zamiaceae) in slash pine savanna, Everglades National Park, Florida. International Journal of Plant Sciences,, Vol.161, pp.659-669.

8.05

Don’t know.