Polanisia (Polanisia dodecandra)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Polanisia dodecandra (L.) DC.
Common name(s):	polanisia

Map showing the present distribution of this weed.

Habitat:

Within the state, it has been found in such natural habitats as bluffs, glades, or hill prairies, and may occur occasionally as an adventive plant along railroads (illinoiswildflowers 2010). Polanisia dodecandra is a common plant in streambeds, but is also adapts to rocky mountains sides and even mine tailings.(VPGW 2010) Redwhisker clammy weed grows almost throughout the United States in full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and barren sandy or gravelly soils. This includes such places as sand or gravel bars along rivers, dry sandy prairies, gravelly areas along roadsides or railroads, and barren waste areas. It adapts well to highly disturbed areas where there is little other ground vegetation. (US Forest Service 2010).

Potential distribution

Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries

Map Overlays Used

Land Use:
Broadacre cropping; horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Coastal; heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; high altitude shrubland/woodland; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; western plains woodland; alluvial plains grassland; semi-arid woodland; alluvial plains woodland; freshwater wetland (ephemeral); chenopod
shrubland; chenopod mallee; hummock-grass mallee; lowan mallee; broombush whipstick

Colours indicate possibility of Polanisia dodecandra infesting these areas.

In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable.

map showing the potential distribution of polanisia dodecandra

Red= Very high	Orange = Medium
Yellow = High	Green = Likely

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	This native annual plant is about 2' tall and largely unbranched, except near the base. The major stems are stout, round, and covered with rather long glandular hairs, especially where new growth occurs. When the foliage is bruised or rubbed against, a fetid odour is emitted. (illinoiswildflowers 2010) The name clammy weed comes from the sticky or clammy residue left on the hands after handling the plant. (US Forest Service 2010) Minimal or negligible impact (ie. can go anywhere).	L	MH
2. Reduce tourism?	This native annual plant is about 2' tall and largely unbranched, except near the base. The major stems are stout, round, and covered with rather long glandular hairs, especially where new growth occurs. When the foliage is bruised or rubbed against, a fetid odour is emitted. (illinoiswildflowers 2010) The name clammy weed comes from the sticky or clammy residue left on the hands after handling the plant. (US Forest Service 2010) However, its leaves release a strong, unpleasant odour when crushed, so plants should be located away from foot traffic areas. (USDA 2010) Some recreational uses affected.	MH	MH
3. Injurious to people?	This native annual plant is about 2' tall and largely unbranched, except near the base. The major stems are stout, round, and covered with rather long glandular hairs, especially where new growth occurs. When the foliage is bruised or rubbed against, a fetid odour is emitted. (illinoiswildflowers 2010) No effect, no prickles, no injuries.	L	MH
4. Damage to cultural sites?	This native annual plant is about 2' tall and largely unbranched, except near the base. The major stems are stout, round, and covered with rather long glandular hairs, especially where new growth occurs. When the foliage is bruised or rubbed against, a fetid odour is emitted. (illinoiswildflowers 2010) However, its leaves release a strong, unpleasant odour when crushed, so plants should be located away from foot traffic areas. (USDA 2010) Moderate visual effect.	ML	MH
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	Redwhisker clammy weed grows almost throughout the United States in full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and barren sandy or gravelly soils. This includes such places as sand or gravel bars along rivers, dry sandy prairies, gravelly areas along roadsides or railroads, and barren waste areas. It adapts well to highly disturbed areas where there is little other ground vegetation. (US Forest Service 2010) Little or negligible affect on water flow.	L	MH
6. Impact water quality?	No information, unlikely	M	L
7. Increase soil erosion?	Redwhisker clammy weed grows almost throughout the United States in full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and barren sandy or gravelly soils. This includes such places as sand or gravel bars along rivers, dry sandy prairies, gravelly areas along roadsides or railroads, and barren waste areas. It adapts well to highly disturbed areas where there is little other ground vegetation. (US Forest Service 2010) clammy weed is often the first planted species to emerge and flower. (USDA 2010) Moderate probability of large scale soil movement.	ML	MH
8. Reduce biomass?	This native annual plant is about 2' tall and largely unbranched, except near the base. The major stems are stout, round, and covered with rather long glandular hairs, especially where new growth occurs. When the foliage is bruised or rubbed against, a fetid odour is emitted. (illinoiswildflowers 2010) Biomass may increase.	L	MH
9. Change fire regime?	No information found	M	L
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Plains Grassland (E); CMA = Wimmera; Bioregion = Wimmera; VH CLIMATE potential. Clammy weed is often found in dense stands of non-native grasses, and may be useful in efforts to diversify these stands for wildlife…clammy weed is often the first planted species to emerge and flower. (USDA 2010) Major displacement of some dominant spp. within a strata/layer (or some dominant spp. within different layers).	MH	M
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Riverine Grassy Woodland/Sedgey Riverine (D); CMA = Goulburn Broken; Bioregion = Victorian Riverina; VH CLIMATE potential. Clammy weed is often found in dense stands of non-native grasses, and may be useful in efforts to diversify these stands for wildlife…clammy weed is often the first planted species to emerge and flower. (USDA 2010) Major displacement of some dominant spp. within a strata/layer (or some dominant spp. within different layers).	MH	M
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Red Swale Mallee (LC); CMA = Mallee; Bioregion = Lowan Mallee; VH CLIMATE potential. Clammy weed is often found in dense stands of non-native grasses, and may be useful in efforts to diversify these stands for wildlife…clammy weed is often the first planted species to emerge and flower. (USDA 2010) Major displacement of some dominant spp. within a strata/layer (or some dominant spp. within different layers).	MH	M
11. Impact on structure?	Clammy weed is often found in dense stands of non-native grasses, and may be useful in efforts to diversify these stands for wildlife…clammy weed is often the first planted species to emerge and flower. (USDA 2010) Minor effect on >60% of the layers or major effect on < 60% of the floral strata.	MH	M
12. Effect on threatened flora?	Clammy weed is often found in dense stands of non-native grasses, and may be useful in efforts to diversify these stands for wildlife. (USDA 2010) Not enough information found	M	L
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	Clammy weed has no grazing value for livestock or wildlife. (USDA 2010) Reduction in habitat for threatened spp, leading to reduction in numbers of individuals, but not to local extinction.	MH	M
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	Clammy weed has no grazing value for livestock or wildlife. (USDA 2010) Reduction in habitat for fauna spp., leading to reduction in numbers of individuals, but not to local extinction.	MH	M
15. Benefits fauna?	Various bees visit the flowers for nectar, while flower flies feed on the pollen from the exerted anthers. However, the latter group of insects does not effectively pollinate the flowers. The foliage is not known to be toxic to mammalian herbivores, notwithstanding the fetid odour, but little appears to be known about the attractiveness of the foliage as a food source. Similarly, little is known about the attractiveness of the seeds to small rodents or upland gamebirds. Because the seeds of similar kinds of plants, such as the Cleome spp. (Bee Plants) in the western states, are occasionally eaten by the Ring-Necked Pheasant, Mourning Dove, and various small rodents, it is possible that the same or similar species also eat the seeds of Polanisia spp. (Clammyweeds). (illinoiswildflowers 2010) Rio Grande clammy weed is also an important nectar plant for many species of butterflies and provides habitat to many other insects.(USDA 2010) Provides some assistance in either food or shelter to desirable species.	MH	MH
16. Injurious to fauna?	No information found, unlikely	M	L
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	Various bees visit the flowers for nectar, while flower flies feed on the pollen from the exerted anthers. However, the latter group of insects does not effectively pollinate the flowers. The foliage is not known to be toxic to mammalian herbivores, notwithstanding the fetid odour, but little appears to be known about the attractiveness of the foliage as a food source. Similarly, little is known about the attractiveness of the seeds to small rodents or upland gamebirds. Because the seeds of similar kinds of plants, such as the Cleome spp. (Bee Plants) in the western states, are occasionally eaten by the Ring-Necked Pheasant, Mourning Dove, and various small rodents, it is possible that the same or similar species also eat the seeds of Polanisia spp. (Clammyweeds). (illinoiswildflowers 2010) Supplies food for one or more minor pest spp. (eg. blackbirds or environmental insect pests).	ML	MH
18. Provides harbour?	This native annual plant is about 2' tall and largely unbranched, except near the base. The major stems are stout, round, and covered with rather long glandular hairs, especially where new growth occurs. When the foliage is bruised or rubbed against, a fetid odour is emitted. (illinoiswildflowers 2010) Rio Grande clammy weed is also an important nectar plant for many species of butterflies and provides habitat to many other insects. (USDA 2010) Doesn’t provide harbour for serious pest spp, but may provide for minor pest spp	ML	M
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	Clammy weed has no grazing value for livestock or wildlife. (USDA 2010) Minor impact on quantity of produce (eg < 5% reduction).	ML	M
20. Impact quality?	Clammy weed has no grazing value for livestock or wildlife. (USDA 2010) Minor impact on quality of produce (eg < 5% reduction).	ML	M
21. Affect land value?	No information found	M	L
22. Change land use?	No information found	M	L
23. Increase harvest costs?	No information found	M	L
24. Disease host/vector?	No information found	M	L

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	Likewise with P. dodecandra, a 2 week prechilling has been reported to enhance gemination. Our studies show that 3,6, 9 and 12 weeks of stratification significantly increase Solo gemination over the control. Interestingly, cold also increased gemination of Solo in light (12, 14 h), with longer periods of cold (12 weeks) having significantly higher gemination. Therefore, deliberate or natural fall field sowing may result in higher gemination than Spring sowing or greenhouse production without stratification (Gomez Raboteaux and Anderson 2010) Requires natural seasonal disturbances such as seasonal rainfall, spring/summer temperatures for germination.	MH	H
2. Establishment requirements?	Gemination of Solo in the dark (covered) was significantly higher than uncovered (light) although very low levels of seed gemination still occurred in the field and growth chambers (Gomez Raboteaux and Anderson 2010) Can establish under moderate canopy/litter cover	MH	H
3. How much disturbance is required?	Redwhisker clammy weed grows almost throughout the United States in full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and barren sandy or gravelly soils. This includes such places as sand or gravel bars along rivers, dry sandy prairies, gravelly areas along roadsides or railroads, and barren waste areas. It adapts well to highly disturbed areas where there is little other ground vegetation. (US Forest Service 2010) Rio Grande clammy weed is an early successional plant. It is quick to establish on disturbed soils, grows quickly, and provides a favourable environment for other slow to germinate native species. In mixed species native plantings in south Texas, clammy weed is often the first planted species to emerge and flower. Rio Grande clammy weed readily re-seeds itself with moderate soil disturbance.(USDA 2010) Establishes in highly disturbed natural ecosystems (eg. roadsides, wildlife corridors, or areas which have a greater impact by humans such as tourist areas or campsites)	M	MH
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Clammy-weed is a sticky, hairy, annual (reproduce from seed each year) with simple stems and a strong, rank odour. (NPWRC 2010) The root system consists of a long taproot without rhizomes. This plant spreads by reseeding itself (illinoiswildflowers 2010) Other.	L	M
5. Allelopathic properties?	No information found.	M	M
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	The foliage is not known to be toxic to mammalian herbivores, not withstanding the fetid odour, but little appears to be known about the attractiveness of the foliage as a food source. Similarly, little is known about the attractiveness of the seeds to small rodents or upland game birds. Because the seeds of similar kinds of plants, such as the Cleome spp. (Bee Plants) in the western states, are occasionally eaten by the Ring-Necked Pheasant, Mourning Dove, and various small rodents, it is possible that the same or similar species also eat the seeds of Polanisia spp. (Clammyweeds). (illinoiswildflowers 2010) Clammy weed has no grazing value for livestock or wildlife. (USDA 2010) Favoured by heavy grazing pressure as not eaten by animals/insects and not under a biological control program in Australia/New Zealand.	H	M
7. Normal growth rate?	all plantings should be made at least 2 months prior to danger of frost so that seed is produced before freezing as clammy weed typically requires 45-60 days from emergence to seed maturity. (USDA 2010) Rapid growth rate that will exceed most other species of the same life form	H	M
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	It grows in a variety of soils, self-sows freely, and has excellent drought tolerance(US Forest Service 2010) It can survive in both droughty and moist conditions…. all plantings should be made at least 2 months prior to danger of frost so that seed is produced before freezing as clammy weed typically requires 45-60 days from emergence to seed maturity. (USDA 2010) Tolerant to at least two and susceptible to at least one	ML	M
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	Clammy-weed is a sticky, hairy, annual (reproduce from seed each year) with simple stems and a strong, rank odour. (NPWRC 2010) Sexual (either cross or self-pollination).	L	MH
10. Number of propagules produced?	About 20 flowers are clustered at the top of the plant. Flowers are about a half inch long, white with purple bases, and produce numerous stamens that overtop the petals. Fruits consist of slender capsules about one or two inches long that are filled with many tiny, dark seeds. (NPWRC 2010) The fruit is a narrow capsule producing numerous rounded seeds. Rio Grande clammy weed has an average of 154,500 seeds per pound…. Seed yields from June hand harvests (first crop produced) were 168 lbs. PLS/acre. (USDA 2010) 50-1000.	ML	M
11. Propagule longevity?	No information found.	M	L
12. Reproductive period?	Clammy-weed is a sticky, hairy, annual (reproduce from seed each year) with simple stems and a strong, rank odour. (NPWRC 2010) Mature plant produces viable propagules for only 1 year.	L	MH
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	Fall plantings should be made at least 2 months prior to danger of frost so that seed is produced before freezing as clammy weed typically requires 45-60 days from emergence to seed maturity. (USDA 2010) Reaches maturity and produces viable propagules, in under a year.	H	M
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	Clammy weed seed is eaten by game birds such as bobwhite quail, scaled quail, mourning doves, white-wing doves, and Rio Grande wild turkeys, as well as many non-game species of birds and mammals. (USDA2010) bird dispersed seeds	H	M
15. How far do they disperse?	Clammy weed seed is eaten by game birds such as bobwhite quail, scaled quail, mourning doves, white-wing doves, and Rio Grande wild turkeys, as well as many non-game species of birds and mammals. (USDA2010) Very likely that at least one propagule will disperse greater one kilometre.	H	M

References

Farruggia FT, Luke N, and Hertzfeld N. (2009) “Preliminary Botanical Explorations of the Parker Creek Canyon, Sierra Ancha Mountains, Gila County, Arizona.” In: Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science. 41 (2): 59 – 74.

Haagland BW and Buthod A. (2008a) “The Vascular Flora of the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve, Cherokee County, Oklahoma.” In: Castanea. 73 (1): 16 – 28.

Haagland BW and Buthod AK. (2008b) “The Vascular Flora of an Ozark Plateau Site, Ottawa County, Oklahoma.” In: Southeastern Naturalist. 7 (4): 581 – 594.

Gomez Raboteaux N.N and Anderson N.O (2010) Germination of Cleome hassleriana and Polanisia dodecandra Seed Lots in Response to Light, Temperature and Stratification. Research Journal of Seed Science 3 (1): pp1-17

Illinois Wildflowers (2010) Available at http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/index.htm (verified 22/06/2010)

Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Centre (NPWRC) (2010) United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Centre, Native Wildflowers of the North Dakota Grasslands. Available at http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/wildflwr/species/poladode.htm (verified 22/06/2010)

Palmer MW. (2007) “The Vascular Flora of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Osage County, Oklahoma.” In: Castanea. 72 (4): 235 – 246.

Rink G and Cully A. (2008) “A Checklist of the Vascular Flora of Aztec Ruins National Monument, San Juan County, New Mexico.” In: Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society. 135 (4): 571 – 584.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2010) Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plants Database. PLANTS Profile. Available at http://plants.usda.gov/ (verified 22/06/2010).

United States Forest Service (2010) Rangeland Management, Botany Program. Available at http://www.fs.fed.us (verified 22/06/2010)

Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness (VPGW) (2010) Available at http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/polanisia_dodecandra.html (verified 22/06/2010)

Walsh N and Stajsic V. (2007) A Census of the Vascular Plants of Victoria. 8th Edn. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, South Yarra.

Global present distribution data references

Australian National Herbarium (ANH) (2010) Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Diversity and Research, Available at http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/ (verified 11 May 2010).

Department of the Environment and Heritage (Commonwealth of Australia). (1993 – On-going) Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) http://www.cpbr.gov.au/apni/index.html (verified 11 May 2010).

Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation. [web application]. (2010) Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available at http://www.calflora.org/ (verified 11 May 2010).

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2010) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 11 May 2010).

Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2010) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 11 May 2010).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2010) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 11 May 2010).

United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. Taxonomy Query. (2010) Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 11 May 2010).

National Biodiversity Network (2004) NBN Gateway, National Biodiversity Network, UK, Available at http://www.searchnbn.net/index_homepage/index.jsp (verified 22/06/2010)

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