Nepal firethorn (Pyracantha crenulata)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Pyracantha crenulata (Roxb, & Lindl.) M. Roem.
Common name(s):	Nepal firethorn

This weed is not known to be naturalised in Victoria

Habitat:

‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China). Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China). ‘700-2500 m’ (Flora of China). ‘Prefers a good well-drained, moisture retentive loamy soil’ (Shah et al. 2006). Drought and frost tender (Bodkin 1986). ‘[It] flourishes along the open banks of streams, in wastelands, chir pine forests…and banj oak forests’. (Shah et al. 2006).

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; forestry; horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Swampy scrub; freshwater wetland (permanent); treed swampy wetland; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; damp forest; riparian; wet forest; rainforest; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; alluvial plains woodland; ironbark/box; freshwater wetland (ephemeral)

Colours indicate possibility of Pyracantha crenulata 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 of the potential distribution of pyracantha crenulata

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

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). Low nuisance value. Impedes individual access; unable to walk to waterways.	ML	M
2. Reduce tourism?	‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). May cause minor dermatitis (Calflora 2009). ‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). Minor effects to aesthetics and/or recreational uses (i.e. aware of but not bothered).	ML	MH
3. Injurious to people?	‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). May cause minor dermatitis (Calflora 2009). Used as poison (Lazarides et al. 1997). Spines, burrs or toxic properties at most times of the year, or a major component in allergies, hay fever and/or asthma.	MH	M
4. Damage to cultural sites?	‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated).). ‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). Pyracantha crenulata attracted greatest diversities of fruit-eating birds (Corlett 2005). Moderate visual effect.	ML	M
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	‘Grows to 5 m tall on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). ‘[It] flourishes along the open banks of streams’. (Shah et al. 2006). Little or negligible impact to water flow.	L	M
6. Impact water quality?	‘Grows to 5 m tall on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). ‘[It] flourishes along the open banks of streams’. (Shah et al. 2006). Noticeable but minor impacts to either dissolved O2 or light levels.	ML	MH
7. Increase soil erosion?	‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). ‘It is a good soil stabiliser (Shah et al. 2006). Moderate probability of large scale soil movement.	ML	M
8. Reduce biomass?	‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ ‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall’ (Flora of China undated). - Biomass may increase.	L	M
9. Change fire regime?	Insufficient information.	M	L
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Riverine Chenopod Woodland (E); CMA =Goulburn Broken; Bioregion =Murray Fans; VH CLIMATE potential. ‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China). ‘700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). ‘Prefers a good well-drained, moisture retentive loamy soil’ (Shah et al. 2006). Drought and frost tender (Bodkin 1986). ‘[It] flourishes along the open banks of streams, in wastelands, chir pine forests…and banj oak forests’. (Shah et al. 2006). Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one strata/layer	ML	H
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Herb-rich Foothill Forest (D); CMA =Goulburn Broken; Bioregion =Central Victorian Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. ‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China). Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). ‘700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). ‘Prefers a good well-drained, moisture retentive loamy soil’ (Shah et al. 2006). Drought and frost tender (Bodkin 1986). ‘[It] flourishes along the open banks of streams, in wastelands, chir pine forests…and banj oak forests’. (Shah et al. 2006). Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one strata/layer	ML	H
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Wet Forest (LC); CMA =East Gippsland; Bioregion =East Gippsland Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. ‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China). Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). ‘700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). ‘Prefers a good well-drained, moisture retentive loamy soil’ (Shah et al. 2006). Drought and frost tender (Bodkin 1986). ‘[It] flourishes along the open banks of streams, in wastelands, chir pine forests…and banj oak forests’. (Shah et al. 2006). Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one strata/layer	ML	H
11. Impact on structure?	‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’. Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall. ‘700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). ‘Prefers a good well-drained, moisture retentive loamy soil’ (Shah et al. 2006). Drought and frost tender (Bodkin 1986). ‘[It] flourishes along the open banks of streams, in wastelands, chir pine forests…and banj oak forests’. (Shah et al. 2006). Minor effect on 20-60% of the floral strata.	ML	MH
12. Effect on threatened flora?	‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). Impacts on threatened flora are not yet determined.	MH	L
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	Pyracantha crenulata attracted greatest diversities of fruit-eating birds (Corlett 2005). ‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). Impacts to threatened fauna are not yet determined.	MH	L
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	Pyracantha crenulata attracted greatest diversities of fruit-eating birds (Corlett 2005). ‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). Minor effects on fauna species; minor hazard or reduction in habitat/food/shelter.	ML	M
15. Benefits fauna?	Pyracantha crenulata attracted greatest diversities of fruit-eating birds (Corlett 2005). The fruits are rich in sugar (PFAF undated). Provides some assistance in either food or shelter to desirable species.	MH	M
16. Injurious to fauna?	‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). Spines, burrs and toxic properties to fauna at certain times of year.	MH	M
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	Pyracantha crenulata attracted greatest diversities of fruit-eating birds (Corlett 2005). The fruits are rich in sugar (PFAF undated). No direct evidence, but assumed to provide some food. - Supplies food for one or more minor pest species.	ML	ML
18. Provides harbour?	‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). Pyracantha crenulata attracted greatest diversities of fruit-eating birds (Corlett 2005). Capacity to harbour rabbits and foxes at low densities or as overnight cover.	MH	MH
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	Uncommon in agricultural systems. Unlikely to impact yield. Little or negligible impact on quantity of yield.	L	L
20. Impact quality?	Overexploitation of Pyracantha crenulata stems and fruits have resulted in restricting its regeneration.’ (Shah et al. 2006). Insufficient information.	M	L
21. Affect land value?	Overexploitation of Pyracantha crenulata stems and fruits have resulted in restricting its regeneration.’ (Shah et al. 2006). - Little or none.	L	M
22. Change land use?	Overexploitation of Pyracantha crenulata stems and fruits have resulted in restricting its regeneration.’ (Shah et al. 2006). Little or no change.	L	M
23. Increase harvest costs?	Overexploitation of Pyracantha crenulata stems and fruits have resulted in restricting its regeneration.’ (Shah et al. 2006). Little or none.	L	M
24. Disease host/vector?	No evidence of major disease.	L	L

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	‘It prefers a good, well drained moisture retentive loamy soil… It is successful of sunny aspects and avoids shady locations (Shah et al. 2006). Requires natural seasonal disturbances.	MH	M
2. Establishment requirements?	It is successful of sunny aspects and avoids shady locations (Shah et al. 2006). Requires more specific requirements to establish (e.g. open space, bare ground, access to light and direct rainfall).	ML	MH
3. How much disturbance is required?	‘Grows on slopes, roadsides, stream sides, valleys, 700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). ‘[It] flourishes along the open banks of streams, in wastelands, chir pine forests…and banj oak forests’. (Shah et al. 2006). Slopes (PFAF 1997-2000). Establishes in relatively intact or only minor disturbed natural ecosystems.	MH	MH
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	‘Evergreen shrub’ (PFAF 1997-2000). Other.	L	M
5. Allelopathic properties?	None mentioned.	M	L
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	‘Shrub or small tree with thorny branches, to 5 m tall (Flora of China undated). Pyracantha crenulata attracted greatest diversities of fruit-eating birds (Corlett 2005). ‘…Overexploitation of Pyracantha crenulata stems and fruits have resulted in restricting its regeneration.’ (Shah et al. 2006). Consumed and recovers slowly. Reproduction strongly inhibited by herbivory but still capable of vegetative propagule production (rhizomes or tubers); weed may still persist.	ML	MH
7. Normal growth rate?	Unknown.	M	L
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	‘700-2500 m’ (Flora of China undated). ‘Prefers a good well-drained, moisture retentive loamy soil’ (Shah et al. 2006). Drought and frost tender (Bodkin 1986). May be tolerant of at least one susceptible to at least two.	ML	M
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	Propagation is by seed or heeled cuttings (Bodkin 1986). Plants maintain and expand their populations…by regeneration (Shah et al 2006). Both sexual and vegetative reproduction.	H	MH
10. Number of propagules produced?	Unknown.	M	L
11. Propagule longevity?	Unknown.	M	L
12. Reproductive period?	Unknown.	M	L
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	Unknown.	M	L
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	‘Spread by seed that is mostly bird or water dispersed’ (Thorpe and Wilson 1998-onwards). Propagules spread by water and animals.	MH	MH
15. How far do they disperse?	‘Spread by seed that is mostly bird or water dispersed’ (Thorpe and Wilson 1998-onwards). Few propagules will reach greater than one kilometre, but many will reach 200-1000 metres.	MH	MH

References

Bodkin F. (1986) Encyclopaedia Botanica: The Essential Reference Guide to Native and Exotic Plants in Australia. Angus & Robertson.

Calflora (2009). Taxon Search. Available at http://www.calflora.org/ (verified 06 August 2009).

Corlett RT (2005) Interactions between birds, fruit bats and exotic plants in urban Hong Kong, South China. Urban Ecosystems 8:275-283.

Flora of China (undated). Available at http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2 (verified 06 August 2009).

Lazarides M, Cowley K, Hohnen P (1997) CSIRO Handbook of Australian Weeds. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

PFAF (1997-2000) Plants for A Future Database. Available at http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Pyracantha+crenulata (verified 06 August 2009).

Shah S, Tewari B, Bisht S, Tewari A (2006) Seed Maturation indicators in Pyracantha crenulata Roxb. In Kumuan Central Himalaya. New Forests 32.

Thorp, J.R., Wilson, M (1998 onwards) Weeds Australia - www.weeds.org.au (verified 06 August 2009).

Global present distribution data references

Australian National Herbarium (ANH) (2009) Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Diversity and Research, Available at http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/ (verified 06 August 2009).

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 06 August 2009).

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (2006) Flora information system [CD-ROM], Biodiversity and Natural Resources Section, Viridans Pty Ltd, Bentleigh.

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2009) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 06 August 2009).

Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2009) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 06 August 2009).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2009) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 06 August 2009).

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. (2003) Census of Vascular Plants of Victoria. Available at http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/research_and_conservation/plant_information/viclist (verified 06 August 2009).

United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. Taxonomy Query. (2009) Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 06 August 2009).

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