Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds

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Summary

• Moderately restricted distribution (not Asia, limited Africa). In Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu.
• Fast-growing pioneer tree invasive in cocoa and coffee plantations, roadsides, shifting cultivation. Growing vigorously in full sunlight, fertile, well-drained soils, rainfall 2000-5000mm annually. Large seed production. Planted within native forests in Vanuatu, and later spreading to adjacent overgrazed pastures. Invasive in FSM, Samoa and Tonga.
• Up to 35m high, to 50cm diameter. Leaves lance-shaped to oval up to 15cm, slightly rough to smooth on stalks 1-3cm. Flowers in groups up to 30cm across, arising from leaf axils or terminally, individually white, five lobes 5-7mm, surrounded by 10-ribbed leaf-like calyx. Fruit cylindrical, enclosed by remains of flowers, containing single seed.
• Spread: short distances by root suckers; longer distances by seed on the wind. Distributed worldwide as a plantation or shade species.
• Biosecurity: See FAO (http://www.fao.org/policy-support/tools-and-publications/resources-details/en/c/1273752/) for impacts.
• Biocontrol: none.
• Cultural control: hand-weed seedlings; slash sapling, collect cuttings and burn.
• Chemical control: Use triclopyr or 2,4-D applied to basal bark or cut stems.