What does miconia do?
Miconia is now considered one of the most destructive invaders in insular tropical rain forest habitats in its introduced range. It has invaded relatively intact vegetation and displaces native plants on various islands even without habitat disturbance.
Why was miconia brought to Hawaii?
Miconia was imported to Hawaii Island as a botanical specimen sometime between the late 1950s/early 1960s. According to lore, the first imported plants died, and the pot was abandoned under a dark greenhouse bench on private property. Sometime later, new plants germinated in the discarded pot.
When did miconia get introduced to Tahiti?
1937
It was introduced to Tahiti (French Polynesia) in 1937 in a botanical garden and first recorded as invasive there in the early 1970s.
How does miconia cause erosion?
Impacts. Miconia trees grow quickly and close together, shading out nearly all other forest plants with their large oval leaves. It also has a shallow root system and can cause increased erosion and landslides.
What is the most invasive plant in Hawaii?
Hawaii’s Most Invasive Horticultural Plants
| Species (Family) | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Acacia confusa (Fabaceae) | Formosan koa |
| Angiopteris evecta (Marattiaceae) | mule’s foot fern |
| Antigonon leptopus (Polygonaceae) | Mexican creeper |
| Ardisia crenata (Myrsinaceae) | Hilo holly |
Where is miconia native to?
the Americas
Miconia is a genus of flowering plants in the glory bush family, Melastomataceae, native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Americas. The species are mostly shrubs and small to medium-sized trees up to 15 m tall. The generic name honours Catalan physician and botanist Francesc Micó.
Where did miconia come from?
Miconia calvescens, the velvet tree, miconia, or bush currant, is a species of flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae. It is native to Mexico and Central and South America and it has become one of the world’s most invasive species.
What colors are miconia?
Miconia seeds are brown in color and are easily spread by birds and other animals when they eat the fruit. Seeds are also spread by humans when contaminated dirt or mud sticks to shoes, clothing, equipment, or vehicles.
Where did the invasive plant strawberry guava come from?
Originally introduced to Hawaii in the early nineteenth century for its edible fruit, strawberry guava quickly escaped cultivation. It is now widely cultivated and naturalized outside its native range and is found in many tropical regions of the world.
How do invasive species cause soil degradation?
One of the chief adverse impacts of invasive species is erosion. Invasive plants and animals alike can cause significant damage in the forest and trigger immense landslides and soil loss. Erosion is a natural process, but too much can be detrimental to soil and water health.
Can insects cause erosion?
Living organisms – Small animals, insects, and worms can add to erosion by breaking up the soil so it is easier for the wind and water to carry away.
How did Formosan koa get to Hawaii?
Cultivation: More than 295,000 Formosa koa trees were planted in Hawaii by the Division of Forestry in forest reserves. It has been planted for forestry and ornamental purposes throughout the Pacific.
Where can I find Miconia in Hawaii?
Kauaʻi: There are three known populations, in Wailua River State Park, Wailua Homesteads, and the Wailua Game Management Area. Oʻahu: Originally introduced and traded amongst botanical gardens in the early 1960’s, miconia has since spread into several locations in the Koʻolau range.
What does a miconia tree look like?
Miconia is a fast growing weedy tree that reaches 13-50′ in height. It has large leaves that average 3′ long and 1′ wide, and are dark green and felty above, with a distinctive “leaf within a leaf” vein pattern. The underside of the leaves are purple.
How do you get rid of Miconia?
Hikers, biker and any vehicle or construction equipment can easily transport miconia’s long-lived, tiny seeds that are caught in tread, dirt, clothing, and mud. Thoroughly clean all vehicles, boots, clothing, equipment, and anything else exposed to mud before moving out of the miconia infestation zone.
How are Miconia seeds spread?
Birds and animals (such as rats) spread miconia seed long distances. Seeds, about the size of a sand grain, are unintentionally spread by humans and hitchhike on clothes, boots, gear, pets, and contaminated vehicles, equipment, and soil.