20100619 kisc early detection weekly report 6

20100619 KISC Early Detection Weekly Report 6
Neighborhoods/areas surveyed: Koke`e, Kahili, Wailua, Kekaha Number nurseries/botanical gardens, etc. surveyed: None Species of interest? (Is this something to panic about, or something that is just interesting to note?) Acacia mangium- This species is still a potential target, but has now been seen on 2 more surveys in different areas. It was cultivated (2-5 trees) and very sparingly naturalized near Halfway bridge (an herbarium label from Tim Flynn indicate there is a “Cowern Tree farm” in this area). We also saw it both (apparently) planted and (definitely) spreading in upper Kuamoo Rd, well past the Keahua Arboretum area. Tribulus terrestris- we found two locations for T. terrestris and can provide UTMs as needed. Jin Wah mentioned she’s seen it spread throughout Kekaha, and due to this species’ low stature and inconspicuous features, it is very likely we’ve missed seeing other individuals. Clerodendrum wallichii- this is the new accepted name for Clerodendrum nutans. Cotinus cf. coggygria- a more common ornamental elsewhere, this species has never been vouchered in Bishop Museum’s herbarium. It was cultivated in a yard in Kekaha. Jin-Wah asked the homeowner where he got it- apparently it was mail-ordered from a mainland seed company called Inter-state Nurseries. The plant was fruiting and several online references indicate it can be propagated by seed. It is possible this plant was elsewhere on the island but not noticed- though the inflorescence is large, feathery, purple, and odd looking it is apparently a flowers seasonally, and the plant is not particularly distinctive when sterile. This plant has been documented as naturalized in North America, presumably as escaped from ornamental plantings. Rosa laevigata- R. laevigata has been collected in Koke’e before, both by D. Lorence and by Natalia and Clay. It is difficult to say whether it was planted here, but it has spread rampantly in localized areas along the main road. This plant has proven to be a nuisance on the Big Island and Lana`i, as well as on the Southeastern states on the mainland, and may be recommended for removal, pending results of future surveys and prioritization for control. Flindersia brayleyana- Also known as Queensland Maple, this wind-dispersed species has been planted in a few locations on Kauai (Lihue, Halfway bridge area, Keahua arboretum). It has a reputation of reseeding itself and spreading from planting sites where grown. It was seen naturalizing in upper Kuamoo Rd., at a distance from the Keahua Forestry arboretum. The plants were not flowering however, and a fertile specimen would be good to have to document its naturalized status on Kauai. F. brayleana was not an original survey species. Name of any new state/island records found: Calliandra houstoniana var. calothyrsa- New island record. Was seen spreading from planting sites in the Halfway bridge area. This species is also planted as an ornamental and could possibly be widespread on Kauai. 5) Any surveys done that are a follow-up or delimiting survey for plants previously Any species, previously deemed “actionable” (e.g. kudzu) found? Cultivated or naturalized and in which neighborhood? Prosopis juliflora- found in Kekaha Arundo donax- along a back road in Kekaha, Piper auritum- found in Wailua, looks cut back, but is resprouting. 7) Any outreach, research, presentations or other items of interest? Alex was stopped by a family at the Kalalau Lookout who asked him some in-depth questions about our job and invasive plants. 8) Any IDs (other than OED), or other herbarium-related work (label-making, mounting, etc)? A sample was just submitted by Jane Beachy, from Army natural resources, of a Metrosideros that volunteered in the yard of someone she works with, in Mililani (Oahu). Its identity is uncertain but the fact that it apparently grew from unplanted seedling to 6 feet tall in 2 years suggests that it may be a seedling from the abundant non-native Metrosideros kermadecensis plantings in the neighborhood. It is also possible, and somewhat indicated by the morphology of the plant submission, that it is a hybrid between the non-native M. kermadecensis and the native Metrosideros polymorpha planted in peoples yards in the area. To answer this question we would need to do genetic analysis that we currently don’t have any funding for. Hybridization with our native ohia, and subsequent naturalizing would represent a huge threat to our most dominant and very significant forest tree. Any funding ideas? 9) Any upcoming funding/work opportunities? None

Source: http://www.hawaiiinvasivespecies.org/iscs/kisc/pdfs/20100619kiscroadsidesurveyweek6.pdf