Report to the Republic of Palau: 2008 update on Invasive Plant ...

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Peleliu State Peleliu Ammannia baccifera (amania, monarch redstem) [voucher 9749] is a weed <strong>of</strong> wet areas. It is a native <strong>of</strong> India and was previously recorded from <strong>Palau</strong> by Fosberg et al. (1970) as A. coccinea. Barleria lupulina (hophead, Philippine violet) was seen in cultivation in <strong>the</strong> village [voucher 9765]. It was also seen in <strong>the</strong> 2002 survey on Babeldaob. This species is reported <strong>to</strong> be a problem in Timor and Queensland, Australia (Barbara Waterhouse, pers. com.). Several plants <strong>of</strong> Crotalaria retusa (devil-bean, rattlepod, wedge-leaf crotalaria) were seen at <strong>the</strong> Dolphin Bay Resort [voucher 9740]. These were planted from seed as an ornamental according <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> owner. This species was previously reported from Guam (Fosberg et al., 1979) and Yap (Belau National Museum, 1968, voucher 1249) but is a new record for <strong>Palau</strong>. Like o<strong>the</strong>r crotalarias, it could spread widely along roads and in<strong>to</strong> disturbed areas. The plant is poisonous and consumption <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seeds could present a risk <strong>to</strong> chickens, pigs and humans. It has a weed risk assessment score <strong>of</strong> 5, “evaluate fur<strong>the</strong>r”. The owner seemed amenable <strong>to</strong> removing <strong>the</strong> plants if replacements could be provided. It must also exist elsewhere in <strong>Palau</strong> as <strong>the</strong> owner stated that <strong>the</strong> seeds were obtained locally, perhaps from Koror or Babeldaob, and <strong>the</strong> species should be looked for <strong>the</strong>re. Ngercheu (Carp Resort) This resort has been very active in landscape planting; many exotic species were noted in <strong>the</strong> 2002 survey. New species noted this time include Callisia fragrans, Datura metel, Erigeron bellioides, Euphorbia graminea [voucher 9855], Ficus benjamina, Hemigraphis reptans, Melia azedarach, Oldenlandia [=Hedyotis] corymbosa, Passiflora foetida, Pedilanthus [=Euphorbia] tithymaloides, Pereskia aculeata and Pseuderan<strong>the</strong>mum caru<strong>the</strong>rsii. Datura metel, Ficus benjamina, Melia azedarach and Pereskia aculeata are <strong>of</strong> particular concern as invasives, <strong>the</strong> latter a new record for <strong>Palau</strong>. Timonius timon [voucher 9855] is present on <strong>the</strong> island. Kayangel A number <strong>of</strong> new species were recorded from Kayangel. However, this is <strong>the</strong> first time much surveying and collecting has been done in recent times, so this is not surprising. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new species are roadside and garden weeds or cultivated plants, including Abelmoschus moschatus [voucher 9796], Acalypha lanceolata [voucher 9799], Achyran<strong>the</strong>s aspera [voucher 9803], Asystasia gagetica [voucher 9780], Axonopus compressus [voucher 9798], Bidens Alba [voucher 9781], Blechum pyramidatum [voucher 9824], Capsicum frutescens, Chamaesyce hirta, Chamaesyce hypericifolia [voucher 9793], Dactyloctenium aegyptium [voucher 9825], Digitaria ciliaris [voucher 9823], Erigeron bellioides, Ischaemum polystachyum [voucher 9779A], Malvaviscus penduliflorus [voucher 9806], Moringa oleifera, Oplismenus compositus [voucher 9778], Paspalum conjugatum [voucher 9827], Peperomia pellucida [voucher 9797], Pilea microphylla, Polyscias guilfoylei, Polyscias scutellaria, Pseuderan<strong>the</strong>mum carru<strong>the</strong>rsii, Tabebuia heterophylla [voucher 9792], Tecoma stans, Thevetia peruviana, Thunbergia sp. and Turnera ulmifolia. 8
2. Species that are subjects <strong>of</strong> eradication programs Imperata cylindrica (kasoring, blady grass, cogon grass), a very invasive grass and a serious problem for agriculture as well as <strong>the</strong> environment, is present around <strong>the</strong> airport on Babeldaob, as well as one location in Melekeok State and ano<strong>the</strong>r suspected (non-flowering) infestation in Ngerkebesang. It is also reported <strong>to</strong> be present on Angaur but was not seen by <strong>the</strong> survey team. It has a weed risk assessment score <strong>of</strong> 22, “high risk”. Eradication has been under way for five years but <strong>the</strong> grass keeps recurring from seed and from rhizomes that have not been killed. Eradication will require long-term follow-up <strong>to</strong> eliminate this persistent grass. Mikania micrantha (teb el yas, mile-a-minute weed), a smo<strong>the</strong>ring vine, is widespread throughout <strong>the</strong> Pacific and is a major pest wherever it occurs. It is spread both by seed (dispersed by wind, as a contaminant on vehicles and machinery or on clothing or in <strong>the</strong> hair <strong>of</strong> animals) and vegetatively from broken stem fragments. Each node <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stem can produce roots. It was previously widespread on Koror and Ngerkebesang and also found on Babeldaob (Airai and Ngaraard States). A number <strong>of</strong> infestations, several quite extensive, were found on Peleliu during <strong>the</strong> 2002 survey, particularly in taro patches. An eradication program has made significant progress in decreasing <strong>the</strong> number and size <strong>of</strong> infestations but new patches continue <strong>to</strong> be found and some infestations, particularly those in taro patches, recur. The weed is particularly hard <strong>to</strong> eliminate in taro patches since <strong>the</strong>y must be hand-weeded. Schefflera actinophylla (oc<strong>to</strong>pus tree) was formerly present in cultivation. All known examples have been eradicated and no new ones were found during this survey. Spathodea campanulata (orsachel kui, African tulip tree) was used <strong>to</strong> a limited extent in <strong>Palau</strong> as an ornamental tree. It is a major problem in Fiji, <strong>the</strong> Hawaiian Islands and some o<strong>the</strong>r places. The seeds are wind-dispersed and it also propagates from root suckers and cuttings. Large trees do not stand up well <strong>to</strong> wind. It has a weed risk assessment score <strong>of</strong> 14, “high risk”. All infestations except one have been eliminated and <strong>the</strong>re are ongoing negotiations with <strong>the</strong> landowner <strong>to</strong> remove <strong>the</strong> remaining trees. No new examples were found during <strong>the</strong> survey. Follow-up and destruction <strong>of</strong> seedlings or sucker regrowth in <strong>the</strong> vicinity <strong>of</strong> destroyed trees should be continued. Indig<strong>of</strong>era hirsuta (hairy indigo), Ipomoea hederifolia (ivy-leaf morning glory) and Praxelis clematidea (praxelis) were apparently introduced during <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Compact Road, most likely from contamination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seed used in hydroseeding. They were found in isolated patches and have apparently been eradicated. However, <strong>the</strong> praxelis had produced seed at one site, and regular inspection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sites should be continued for at least <strong>the</strong> next few years. 3. Major species that are invasive or have <strong>the</strong> potential <strong>to</strong> become so in <strong>Palau</strong> A number <strong>of</strong> known invasive plants that cause trouble in natural and semi-natural ecosystems have been introduced in<strong>to</strong> <strong>Palau</strong> (Appendix 1 Table 2). Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se are already causing problems while o<strong>the</strong>rs are naturalized but are not causing any particular problem. Some are cultivated plants that have not (yet) escaped and <strong>the</strong>ir potential for causing damage is so far unknown. However, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> best predic<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> invasiveness is <strong>the</strong> behavior <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> species elsewhere under similar conditions, and <strong>the</strong>se are known troublemakers. 9
Page 1: Report to<
Page 4 and 5: Pulo Ana ..........................
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Page 9 and 10: of known or potent
Page 11 and 12: Leucas lavandulifolia [voucher 9929
Page 13: Rock Islands We were especially int
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Page 19 and 20: Timonius timon (Liberal) is widespr
Page 21 and 22: cultivation but this tree-climbing
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Page 29 and 30: Cestrum diurnum (day cestrum, day j
Page 31: Piper auritum (eared pepper, also c
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Page 36 and 37: Agriculture invasive species <stron
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Table 3. Other spe
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Table 3. Other spe
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Table 4. Other inv
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Table 4. Other inv
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Appendix 2. Invasive plant species
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Table 1. Invasive plant species <st
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Table 2. Other inv
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Appendix 3. Invasive species presen
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Scientific Name Hawai'i Guam Yap Pa
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Table 1. Invasive species o
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Appendix 5. Other
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Table 1. Other inv
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Table 8. Other inv
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Appendix 6. Presence of</st
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Table 2. Species of</strong
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Table 1. Other spe
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Appendix 8. Risk assessments for in
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Synonym Listed as Family Gomphrena
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Fosberg, F. R., and M.-H. Sachet. 1
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Stoddart, D. R. 19
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