Datasheet
Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops)
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Pictures
Top of page| Picture | Title | Caption | Copyright |  | Title | Habit |
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| Caption | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit. Hana, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March 2007. |
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| Copyright | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0 |
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| Habit | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit. Hana, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March 2007. | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0 |
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| Caption | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit. Hana, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March 2007. |
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| Copyright | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0 |
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| Habit | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit. Hana, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March 2007. | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0 |
 | Title | Branch. |
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| Caption | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); leafy branch. Nahiku, Maui, Hawaii, USA. September 2002. |
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| Copyright | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2002 - CC BY 3.0 |
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| Branch. | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); leafy branch. Nahiku, Maui, Hawaii, USA. September 2002. | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2002 - CC BY 3.0 |
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| Caption | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit, showing foliage and fruits. |
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| Copyright | ©Smithsonian Institution |
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| Habit | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit, showing foliage and fruits. | ©Smithsonian Institution |
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| Caption | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit, showing foliage and fruits. French Polynesia. |
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| Copyright | ©Smithsonian Institution |
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| Habit | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit, showing foliage and fruits. French Polynesia. | ©Smithsonian Institution |
 | Title | Fruit |
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| Caption | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); close-up of fruit. |
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| Copyright | ©Smithsonian Institution |
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| Fruit | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); close-up of fruit. | ©Smithsonian Institution |
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| Caption | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit, showing foliage and papery seedpods. Hana, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March 2007. |
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| Copyright | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0 |
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| Habit, | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit, showing foliage and papery seedpods. Hana, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March 2007. | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0 |
 | Title | Habit |
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| Caption | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit, showing papery seedpods. Hana, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March 2007. |
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| Copyright | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0 |
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| Habit | Flemingia strobilifera (wild hops); habit, showing papery seedpods. Hana, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March 2007. | ©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0 |
Identity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W. T. Aiton
Preferred Common Name
Other Scientific Names
- Flemingia bracteata (Roxb.) Wight
- Flemingia fruticulosa Benth.
- Flemingia strobilifera var. bracteata (Roxb.) Baker
- Flemingia strobilifera var. fluminalis (Prain) Thuan
- Flemingia strobilifera var. fruticulosa Baker
- Flemingia strobilifera var. nudiflora Haines
- Hedysarum bracteatum Roxb.
- Hedysarum strobiliferum L.
- Moghania bracteata (Roxb.) H.L.Li
- Moghania fruticulosa (Benth.) Mukerjee
- Moghania strobilifera (L.) J.St.-Hil.
- Moghania strobilifera (L.) Jacks.
- Moghania strobilifera (L.) A. St.-Hil. ex Kuntze
- Moghania strobilifera (L.) Kuntze
- Zornia strobilifera (L.) Pers.
International Common Names
- English: luck plant; wild hops
- Spanish: camaron; verde seco
- French: Dona-Maria; sainfoin du Bengale; zeb sèk
- Chinese: qiu sui qian jin ba
Local Common Names
- Brunei Darussalam: pancar angin; Ringan
- Cuba: flemingia
- Dominican Republic: camaron; camarones; camarones secos; verde seco
- Guadeloupe: zeb sèk
- India: chepti; kanphuta; Kusrunt; kussunt; lukhy plant; pithawan; sudarsanpati
- Indonesia: apa-apa kebo; gatak; hahapaan
- Jamaica: wild hops
- Lesser Antilles: luck bush; luck plant; sainfoin du Bengale; wild hops; zeb care; zeb kawé; zeb sek
- Martinique: zeb sèk
- Mauritius: Napoleonia
- Palau: besungelaiei; pesungel a iei
- Papua New Guinea: arana; mineata; mineata
- Philippines: gangan; payang-payang; piragan
- Réunion: Dona-Maria
- Seychelles: Napoleon
- Thailand: khee dang; ngon kai; nhut phra
EPPO code
- FLEST (Flemingia strobilifera)
Summary of Invasiveness
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F. strobilifera, more commonly known as wild hops, is an ornamental legume shrub native to South and Southeast Asia where it can be found in the understory of tropical forest. It has become invasive in Central America, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean. It is also invasive on many Pacific islands, from where the earliest known record of it as a non-native has been reported (from the early 1800s). F. strobilifera is a prolific seed producer and can regrow after cutting. It can quickly form thickets and then dense, monocultural stands that outcompete native vegetation, especially in disturbed areas. It also invades agricultural land. Reports of its invasiveness are increasing, and it is recommended that it should not be further introduced in the Pacific region, and this is probably equally valid for other parts of the world. Across the West Indies, F. strobilifera is spreading very rapidly and it has become very common in several islands in the Lesser Antilles and in Puerto Rico.
Taxonomic Tree
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- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Subfamily: Faboideae
- Genus: Flemingia
- Species: Flemingia strobilifera
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
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Fabaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants. This family includes about 745 genera and 19500 species which can be found throughout the world growing in a great variety of climates and environments (Stevens, 2012).
Flemingia comprises about 40-50 species, native to the tropical regions in South and Southeast Asia and Australia, with two species occurring naturally in Africa. The genus Moghania that is a synonym of Flemingia is very often written as “Maughania” (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014). Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W.T.Aiton and F. macrophylla (Willd.) Merr. have been introduced as ornamental species and as cover, hedge and mulch crops, and both have become invasive.
However, as with other Flemingia species, whereas the species limits appear accepted, there is some disagreement regarding naming authorities, and clarification will be required in the future. The Plant List (2013) and in this datasheet, F. strobilifera (L.) W.T.Aiton is accepted, however, Missouri Botanical Gardens (2014) record it as F. strobilifera (L.) R. Br.
The floral bracts resemble the true hop plant which is used in the brewing of beer, and it is this that has led to the common name of wild hops (Campbell, 2012). The specific epiphet 'strobilifera' is from the Latin for 'cone-bearing.'
Description
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The following is from the Flora of China Editorial Committee (2014):
F. strobilifera is a shrub or subshrub; 0.3-3 m tall. Branchlets ribbed, densely gray to dull brown villous. Leaves simple; stipules linear-lanceolate, 0.8-1.8 cm, persistent or deciduous; petiole usually 0.5-1.5 cm, densely hairy; leaf blade ovate, narrowly ovate, ovate-elliptic, broadly elliptic, or oblong, 6-15 × 3-7 cm, thinly leathery, glabrous or almost glabrous except for veins, lateral veins 5-9 pairs, base rounded, slightly cordate, apex acuminate, obtuse, or acute. Inflorescence a thyrse, sometimes branched; inflorescence axis 5-11 cm, densely dun villous; cymules each enclosed by concave bract; bracts 1.2-3 × 2-4.4 cm, papery to almost leathery, both surfaces long hirsute, margin ciliate, apex truncate or rounded, slightly emarginate and with slender mucro. Flowers small; pedicel 1.5-3 mm. Calyx pubescent; lobes ovate, slightly longer than tube. Corolla longer than calyx; standard broadly orbicular; wings narrower than keels. Legume elliptic, 6-10 × 4-5 mm, sparsely pubescent, inflated. Seeds 2, usually dark brown, flattened, suborbicular about 3x4 mm.
Plant Type
Top of pageBroadleaved
Perennial
Seed propagated
Shrub
Woody
Distribution
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F. strobilifera is native to a broad area in South and Southeast Asia, from Pakistan in the West, to eastern China and the Japanese Ryuku islands in the Northeast, and south to Irian Jaya (Indonesia) and Timor-Leste (ILDIS, 2014).
It has been introduced to some tropical regions, notably Central America, the Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Ocean islands. It has become naturalized in many countries where it is introduced, but it is also notably absent especially from the African continent and most of South America, However, it is possible that it is present in more countries than those indicated in this datasheet.
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
| Country | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | | References | Notes | ASIA |
| Bangladesh | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Bhutan | Present | | Native | | |
natural
| ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Brunei Darussalam | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Cambodia | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| China | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Fujian | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Guangdong | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Guangxi | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Guizhou | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Hainan | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| East Timor | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| India | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Andhra Pradesh | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Arunachal Pradesh | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Assam | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Bihar | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Goa | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Gujarat | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Haryana | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Himachal Pradesh | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Jammu and Kashmir | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Karnataka | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Kerala | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Madhya Pradesh | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Maharashtra | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Meghalaya | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Nagaland | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Odisha | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Rajasthan | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Sikkim | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Tamil Nadu | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Uttar Pradesh | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -West Bengal | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Indonesia | Present | | Native | | |
natural
| ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Irian Jaya | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Java | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Kalimantan | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Moluccas | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Nusa Tenggara | Present | | Native | | | | | |
| -Sumatra | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Japan | | | | | | | | |
| -Ryukyu Archipelago | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Laos | Present | | Native | | |
natural
| ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Malaysia | Present | | Native | | |
natural
| ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Peninsular Malaysia | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Sabah | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Sarawak | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Myanmar | Present | | Native | | |
natural
| ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Nepal | Present | | Native | | |
natural
| ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Pakistan | Present | | Native | | |
natural
| ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Philippines | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Singapore | Present | | Native | | Invasive | | Chong et al., 2009; PIER, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Sri Lanka | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Taiwan | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Thailand | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Vietnam | Present | | Native | | | | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014; ILDIS, 2014 | |
AFRICA |
| Mauritius | Present | | Introduced | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Réunion | Present | | Introduced | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Seychelles | Present | | Introduced | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Tanzania | | | | | | | | |
| -Zanzibar | Widespread | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007 | |
NORTH AMERICA |
| USA | | | | | | | | |
| -Hawaii | Present | | Introduced | | Invasive | | Lorence et al., 1995; PIER, 2014; USDA-NRCS, 2014 | |
CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Widespread | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007 | |
| Barbados | Present | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Cayman Islands | Present | | Introduced | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Costa Rica | Present | | Introduced | | Invasive | | Chacón & Saborío, 2012; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015 | |
| Cuba | Present | | Introduced | | | | Acevedo-Rodríguez & Strong, 2012 | |
| Dominica | Present | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015 | |
| Dominican Republic | Present | | Introduced | | Invasive | | IABIN, 2003; Kairo et al., 2003; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Grenada | Widespread | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007 | |
| Guadeloupe | Present | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015 | |
| Haiti | Present | | Introduced | | | | Acevedo-Rodríguez & Strong, 2012; ILDIS, 2014; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015 | |
| Honduras | Present | | Introduced | | | | Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015; Zamora, 2010 | |
| Jamaica | Present | | Introduced | | Invasive | | Kairo et al., 2003; ILDIS, 2014; Campbell, 2012 | |
| Martinique | Present | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015 | |
| Montserrat | Widespread | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007 | |
| Nicaragua | Present | | Introduced | | | | ILDIS, 2014; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015 | |
| Panama | Present | | Introduced | | | | Correa et al., 2004; ILDIS, 2014; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015 | |
| Puerto Rico | Present | | Introduced | | | | Acevedo-Rodríguez & Strong, 2012; USDA-NRCS, 2014 | |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Widespread | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007 | |
| Saint Lucia | Widespread | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007 | |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Widespread | | Introduced | | | | Broome et al., 2007; ILDIS, 2014 | |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Present | | Introduced | | | | Acevedo-Rodríguez & Strong, 2012; ILDIS, 2014 | |
SOUTH AMERICA |
| Brazil | | | | | | | | |
| -Sao Paulo | Present | | Introduced | | | | Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, 2015 | Record from 1902 |
| Colombia | Present | | Introduced | | | | Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015 | |
| Suriname | Present | | Introduced | | | | Funk et al., 2007; ILDIS, 2014 | |
OCEANIA |
| Australia | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014 | |
| -Queensland | Present | | Native | | | | ILDIS, 2014; Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria, 2014 | |
| Cook Islands | Present | | Introduced | | | | McCormack, 2013; PIER, 2014 | |
| French Polynesia | Present | | Introduced | | Invasive | | Lorence & Wagner, 2013; PIER, 2014 | |
| Guam | Present | | Introduced | | Not invasive | | PIER, 2014 | |
| Micronesia, Federated states of | Present | | Introduced | | | | Wagner et al., 2013; PIER, 2014 | |
| New Caledonia | Present | | Introduced | | Invasive | | MacKee, 1994; PIER, 2014 | |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Present | | Introduced | | | | | |
| Palau | Present | | Introduced | | Invasive | | Space et al., 2009; PIER, 2014 | |
| Papua New Guinea | Present | | Native | | Not invasive | | PIER, 2014; USDA-ARS, 2014; Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria, 2014 | |
| Samoa | Present | | Introduced | | Invasive | | Space & Flynn, 2002; PIER, 2014 | |
| Tonga | Present | | Introduced | | Invasive | | Space & Flynn, 2001; PIER, 2014 | |
History of Introduction and Spread
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There are no specific records that relate to dates of introduction for F. strobilifera, but it may have been introduced as an ornamental plant from the 1800s. The earliest known record of its location as a non-native is from the Pacific, from the early 1800s in New Caledonia (Blanfort et al., 2010), and in South America in 1902 in Sao Paulo, Brazil (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2014).
It is naturalizing and invasive in parts of the Caribbean (Kairo et al., 2003) and the Pacific (Meyer, 2000), and it is highly probable that reports of its invasiveness will increase and it may spread further.
Risk of Introduction
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PIER (2014) note that F. strobilifera (and F. macrophylla) “show every indication of becoming invasive species on Pacific islands”. The species scored a medium five in a Pacific weed risk assessment (as did F. macrophylla), noting that it should be further evaluated (PIER, 2014). It is recommended that Flemingia species (F. strobilifera and F. macrophylla) should not be further introduced in the Pacific region. Also, noting its invasiveness on many islands and its absence from many continental areas, further introduction to mainland Africa and South America may also lead to future invasions.
Habitat
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F. strobilifera as a native species may be found in the understory of tropical forest. Where introduced, it is reported as naturalizing and invading on abandoned pastures and other disturbed areas, forming thickets that then become dense monocultural stands over time (PIER, 2014). In French Polynesia and Hawaii, it is reported as naturalizing on roadsides (Space and Flynn, 2000). In Jamaica, F. strobilifera is common in fields, forming thickets along field margins, along tracks, in waste places near streams, and in abandoned pastures, thriving from sea level to 915 m (Campbell, 2012). In New Caledonia, it is found on degraded pastures, fallow land, disturbed land, and is common along roadsides (Blanfort et al., 2010).
Habitat List
Top of page| Category | Habitat | Presence | Status | | Littoral |
| Coastal areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Coastal areas | Present, no further details | Natural |
| Terrestrial-managed |
| Cultivated / agricultural land | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Natural |
| Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Rail / roadsides | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Terrestrial-natural/semi-natural |
| Natural forests | Present, no further details | Natural |
| Natural grasslands | Present, no further details | Natural |
| Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Natural |
| Scrub / shrublands | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Biology and Ecology
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Genetics
The chromosome number reported for F. strobilifera is 2n = 22 (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014).
Reproductive Biology
F. strobilifera is propagated from seed and produces seed in the first year of growth. Each inflorescence can produce 30 flowers, and two seeds per pod. Cross pollination is essential, mainly by bees (University of Hawaii, Manoa, 2017). Seeds have physical dormancy due to a hard seed coat, requiring scarification (Jayasuriya et al., 2010). Seed is orthodox, but germination rates decrease sharply after six months. It is noted as a prolific seed producer in parts of the Pacific where it is has become naturalized (PIER, 2014), with Blanfort et al., (2010) reporting that it can produce 100 million seeds per hectare, explaining its invasiveness.
Physiology and Phenology
F. strobilifera, like other Flemingia species, is a light-demanding plant that colonizes exposed fertile sites, and shows some drought tolerance. It is nitrogen-fixing, and regenerates well after coppicing. It is reported as being very fast growing on disturbed sites and under ideal conditions.
In Jamaica, flowering occurs from December through to August, fruiting from December to March and July to August (Campbell, 2012). In China, F. strobilifera can be found flowering from February to August and fruiting from April to November (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014).
Associations
"Flemingia is effectively nodulated by Bradyrhyzobium strains." (Turk & Keyser, 1992).
Environmental Requirements
F. strobilifera is native to a range of tropical and subtropical areas. In China, F. strobilifera grows on mountain slopes at elevations from 200 m to 1600 m (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014).
It tolerates mean annual rainfall as low as 800 mm, but prefers more than 1500 mm for good growth, and a dry season of less than four months.
This species grows well on freely draining and fertile sites but may tolerate a diverse range of soils including poor and acidic soils.
Climate
Top of page| Climate | Status | Description | Remark | | Af - Tropical rainforest climate | Preferred | > 60mm precipitation per month | |
| Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Preferred | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | |
| As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
| Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
| BS - Steppe climate | Tolerated | > 430mm and < 860mm annual precipitation | |
| Cs - Warm temperate climate with dry summer | Tolerated | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry summers | |
Air Temperature
Top of page| Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | | Absolute minimum temperature (ºC) | | 5 |
| Mean annual temperature (ºC) | 15 | 25 |
| Mean maximum temperature of hottest month (ºC) | 20 | 30 |
| Mean minimum temperature of coldest month (ºC) | 10 | 20 |
Rainfall
Top of page| Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description | | Dry season duration | 1000 | 3500 | number of consecutive months with <40 mm rainfall |
| Mean annual rainfall | 800 | | mm; lower/upper limits |
Soil Tolerances
Top of pageSoil drainage
Soil reaction
Soil texture
Special soil tolerances
Notes on Natural Enemies
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F. strobilifera is reported as a host of scale insects on offshore islands of Colombia (Kondo et al., 2012).
Means of Movement and Dispersal
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Natural Dispersal
When mature and dry, the small pods turn brown and split, discharging their seeds over short distances (Roshetko, 1995). Water and wind probably assist seed dispersal.
Vector Transmission (Biotic)
There is no direct evidence that the fruit is bird dispersed and no other evidence of animal dispersal (PIER, 2014).
Accidental Introduction
It is improbable that it would be introduced accidentally. Agricultural machinery may spread seed.
Intentional Introduction
F. strobilifera has been introduced as an ornamental species and also as a soil improver, a component of hedges, and as a mulch and green manure crop.
Pathway Causes
Top of page| Cause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References | | Agriculture | | | Yes | |
| Digestion/excretion | | | Yes | |
| Disturbance | Weed | Yes | Yes | ISSG, 2014 |
| Escape from confinement/ garden escape | | | Yes | ISSG, 2014 |
| Flooding/ other natural disaster | | | Yes | |
| Ornamental purposes | | Yes | Yes | ISSG, 2014 |
Impact Summary
Top of page| Category | Impact | | Economic/livelihood | Positive and negative |
| Environment (generally) | Positive and negative |
| Human health | Positive |
Environmental Impact
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F. strobilifera colonizes the open understory of coconut plantations, pasture, roadsides and clearings in secondary forests and wetlands (Meyer, 2000). In Jamaica, once established, it forms thickets and continues to spread, aggressively competing with native species for needed resources, mostly in disturbed areas (Campbell, 2012). The invasive nature and noted environmental impacts in the Pacific region has led to the species being declared a threat to biodiversity in two legal orders in 1988 and 2006, the latter including F. strobilifera amongst plants declared to be "species that threaten biodiversity", and subject to a ban on new imports, propagation and planting (Meyer, 2000).
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of pageImpact mechanisms
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Competition - shading
- Competition - smothering
- Rapid growth
Impact outcomes
- Modification of nutrient regime
- Monoculture formation
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Threat to/ loss of native species
Invasiveness
- Abundant in its native range
- Fast growing
- Has a broad native range
- Has high reproductive potential
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Is a habitat generalist
- Pioneering in disturbed areas
- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Tolerant of shade
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
Likelihood of entry/control
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
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Economic Benefits
F. strobilifera has been planted as a cover crop in rubber plantations in Sri Lanka, along with other Flemingia species (Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, 1962). Of a range of potential cover crops tested, F. strobilifera and F. macrophylla were two of only three species that competed successfully with the natural weed population. Their root systems apparently did not interfere with those of the crop, and F. strobilifera responded more vigorously to cutting, developed more adventitious roots and was more drought-resistant than F. macrophylla (Lems, 1965). F. strobilifera is also used as an ornamental species (Neal, 1965), and is used in floral arrangements because of its attractive inflated bracts (Campbell, 2012). Some florists spray the bracts in various colours to suit different floral arrangements. The floral bracts resemble the true hop plant which is used in the brewing of beer, and it is this that has led to the common name of wild hops (Campbell, 2012).
F. strobilifera is not reported to be used or valued as a forage or fodder, unlike F. macrophylla. The leaves are rather tough and coarse, and may also contain high levels of tannin that would reduce palatability. F. strobilifera is reported as a minor host of the lac insect (Kumar and Srivastava, 1993), in addition to the two species of Flemingia (F. chappar and F. macrophylla) more commonly used as minor lac hosts.
F. strobilifera has also been planted in experiments to control the invasive Mikania scandens in plantations of ‘jak’ (Artocarpus integrifolius). It produced dense undergrowth, spreading rapidly beyond areas where which it had been sown. Even though it prevented the growth of mikania, other climbers still manage to become established and climb up the jak trees (Ceylon Silvicultural Research Administration, 1945).
F. strobilifera plant extracts are reported to have numerous medical properties and applications, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticonvulsive, antimicrobial, anti-ulcerogenic and anti-helminthic properties (Gahlot et al., 2011; 2013; Kumar et al., 2011a,b,c). Several Flemingia species are important sources of medicinal natural products, particularly flavonoids and steroids, with recent developments in the ethnobotany, pharmacology and phytochemistry of the genus (Gahlot et al., 2011). F. strobilifera (also F. macrophylla and F. chappar) have been traditionally used in India in the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, ulcer pain and swelling. In Malaysia, leaves are reported to be used to treat rheumatism, administered after childbirth, used for bathing the body (Burkill, 1993). In the Philippines, a decoction or infusion of leaves and flowers is prescribed in tuberculosis. In Java and Papua New Guinea, the leaves are employed both externally and internally as an anthelmintic for children (van der Maesen, 2001). However, despite the long tradition of the use of some species, applications in modern medicine have not been explored in detail. The potential of Flemingia species is detailed by (Gahlot et al., 2011), as a reference tool to practitioners in the fields of ethnopharmacology and natural products chemistry. Leaves are also used to stuff pillows, and the wood is burned for use in blackening the teeth (Burkill, 1993).
Uses List
Top of pageEnvironmental
- Agroforestry
- Boundary, barrier or support
- Erosion control or dune stabilization
- Land reclamation
- Revegetation
- Soil conservation
- Soil improvement
Fuels
Materials
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
Ornamental
- Propagation material
- Seed trade
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
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Full descriptions of several species of Flemingia being a used as cover crops in rubber plantations are provided by the Rubber Research Institute of Malaya (1962), including F. strobilifera, F. congesta [F. macrophylla], F. congesta var. latifolia and var. semialata, To assist in the better separation of the two main Flemingia species (F. strobilifera and F. macrophylla), Kavita et al. (2012) reports on the morpho-anatomical and phytochemical characteristics of the two species as an aid in their identification and differentiation. In China, it is distinguished from other species of Flemingia by its large incurved bracts, leaves rounded to slightly cordate at the base, at least 3 cm wide, on petioles at least 5 mm long (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014).
Prevention and Control
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Blanfort et al. (2010) report that small F. strobilifera plants are controlled in New Caledonia by cutting, (larger areas are mechanically cleared by a chipper) and that special attention must be made to avoid fruiting so timely cutting is essential. Furthermore, due to its ability to generate coppice shoots, cutting is followed by herbicide treatment using triclopyr, or treatment of stumps cut at ground level with picloram and 2,4-D (Blanfort et al., 2010).
References
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Contributors
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10/11/2014 Original text by:
Nick Pasiecznik, Consultant, France
01/12/14 Additional content by:
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
Distribution Maps
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- = Present, no further details
- = Evidence of pathogen
- = Widespread
- = Last reported
- = Localised
- = Presence unconfirmed
- = Confined and subject to quarantine
- = See regional map for distribution within the country
- = Occasional or few reports