Cestrum parqui L’Her

Title: Cestrum parqui L’Her

Scientific name:

Cestrum parqui L’Her

Common name(s):

Chilean cestrum, green cestrum, green poisonberry

Source & more images

Habitat: Warm-temperate and subtropical regions, mainly on alluvial soils along streams (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Often promoted as a garden plant, it has become naturalised as a weed in towns and higher rainfall rural areas (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Green cestrum invades bush margins (Champion 1995).

Distribution:

Original source via GBIF

Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT

1. Germination requirements? Seeds germinate in autumn. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

2. Establishment requirements? Can establish under moderate canopy → occurs under trees in scrubby paddocks & along shady creek banks. (McKenzie et al, 1988)

3. How much disturbance is required? Establishes mostly in highly disturbed natural ecosystems e.g. roadsides, suburban allotments, paddocks, fence lines etc. (McKenzie et al, 1988)

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE

4. Life form? Erect shrub → ‘other’. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

5. Allelopathic properties? None described.

6. Tolerates herb pressure? Cattle graze C. parqui only after the more palatable species have been depleted. (Orguin et al, 1982)

7. Normal growth rate? Grows well on alluvial river flats often to the exclusion of most other vegetation. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? Frost hardy, occurs in arid areas of South America, perhaps also waterlogging (occurs along creek banks & high rainfall gullies). (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; McNiven, 1993; Champion 1995)

REPRODUCTION

9. Reproductive system? Reproducing from creeping roots & by seed. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

10. Number of propagules produced? >2,000 assumed due to producing abundant berries containing seeds. (Lavers, 1953)

11. Propagule longevity? Seeds remain dormant in the soil for many years. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

12. Reproductive period? Plants are ling-lived. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

13. Time to reproductive maturity? Plants are at least 2 years old before flowering. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

DISPERSAL

14. Number of mechanisms? Birds, water, pieces of root dragged by cultivation equipment. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

15. How far do they disperse?

Impact Assessment

RECREATION

1. Restrict human access? An erect shrub 2 – 3 metres. It builds up large populations in moist habitats such as river flats, creekbanks and wetland edges. It has sometimes been planted as a hedge plant. High potential to block access to waterways. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001)

2. Reduce tourism? Due to its potential to build a large population in moist habitats, some associated recreational pursuits may be affected (e.g. swimming, boating, bird watching, etc). (Muyt, 2001)

3. Injurious to people? “Plant material is poisonous to animals and humans if chewed or swallowed. Some people may develop skin rashes from handling plants.” (Muyt, 2001)

4. Damage to cultural sites? In dense infestations it would present a moderate visual impact. Although the plant reproduces vegetatively and has an extensive root system, there is no evidence to indicate it could affect the structure of cultural sites. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001)

ABIOTIC

5. Impact flow? Although it invades creekbanks and wetland edges there is no indication it affects the flow of water.

6. Impact water quality? Although it invades creekbanks and wetland edges there is no indication it affects water quality.

7. Increase soil erosion? An evergreen shrub, it has an extensive though shallow root system. Unlikely to cause soil erosion. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

8. Reduce biomass? “It forms extensive stands along disturbed edges and openings preventing growth and regeneration by indigenous plants.” Infestations would increase biomass. (Muyt, 2001)

9. Change fire regime? The plant does not create a fire hazard in natural ecosystems. Small or negligible effect on fire risk. (PIER)

COMMUNITY HABITAT

10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Alluvial terraces herb-rich woodland (E); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Victorian Volcanic Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. “The plant grows well on alluvial river flats often to the exclusion of most other vegetation.” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? “Green cestrum builds up large populations in moist habitats such as river flats, creekbanks and wetland edges.” Unlikely to occur in any medium value EVC in Victoria. (Muyt, 2001)

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Montane damp forest (LC); CMA=West Gippsland; Bioreg=Highlands – Southern Fall; H CLIMATE potential. “Green cestrum builds up large populations in moist habitats…on disturbed edges and openings.” CLIMATE potential distribution rating is HIGH in this EVC/CMA/bioregion; limited impact. Other EVCs less affected. (Muyt, 2001)

11. Impact on structure? “The plant grows well on alluvial river flats often to the exclusion of most other vegetation.” “It forms extensive stands along disturbed edges and openings preventing growth and regeneration by indigenous plants.” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001)

12. Effect on threatened flora?

FAUNA

13. Effect on threatened fauna?

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? “The plant grows vigorously when neglected and is toxic to animals including cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and poultry.” Its ability to form dense stands, “preventing growth and regeneration by indigenous plants,” and its toxic property suggests the plant would reduce the habitat of desirable species. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001)

15. Benefits fauna? The dense stands may provide harbor for birds. Birds are known to eat the fruit. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

16. Injurious to fauna? “Plant material is toxic.” (Muyt, 2001)

PEST ANIMAL

17. Food source to pests? Birds are a known vector, but it is claimed the plant is toxic to birds and bees. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

18. Provides harbor? Dense stands may provide harbor for pest birds.

AGRICULTURE

19. Impact yield? “The plant prefers moist habitats such as river flats, creekbanks and wetland edges.” However, animals are attracted to the plant and will graze it. Infested areas have to be fenced off to prevent stock losses. “In Auckland, New Zealand, stock losses have occurred in spite of attempts to restrict access to the plant.” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

20. Impact quality? The plant takes several years to mature so would not become a weed of cropping. No seed contamination. Animals that eat the plant usually die; they do not end up in the food chain. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001)

21. Affect land values? The plant grows vigorously, and it reproduces sexually and vegetatively. It is difficult to control. Where it occurs in grazing land the value of the land would be affected. (Muyt, 2001)

22. Change land use? In grazing situations stock losses can be minimised by fencing off infested areas. The land use would not be compromised. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

23. Increase harvest costs? No.

24. Disease host/vector? None evident. (PIER)

Feedback:

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment? If so, we would value your contribution.

Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of The Weed's Network.

Attachments:

green poisonberry via ala.JPG
Capture.JPG

referenced by (3)

wra1001: Common Name - G (via green poisonberry)wra1001: Common Name - G (via green cestrum)wra997: Common Name - C (via Chilean cestrum)

Article: wra1818 (permalink)
Categories: :wra:c, :wra:inv1, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv2, :wra:inv3, :wra:invml, :wra:inv4, :wra:invl, :wra:inv5, :wra:inv6, :wra:inv7, :wra:invh, :wra:inv8, :wra:inv9, :wra:inv10, :wra:inv11, :wra:invm, :wra:inv12, :wra:inv13, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:imph, :wra:imp2, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp3, :wra:imp4, :wra:impml, :wra:imp5, :wra:impl, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:imp10a, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:impm, :wra:imp13, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 12 October 2009; 10:09:23 AM AEDT

Author Name: Jessica Mackay
Author ID: mackayj