Dombeya wallichii (pink ball)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Introductions
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Rainfall Regime
- Soil Tolerances
- Natural enemies
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
- References
- Links to Websites
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Dombeya wallichii (Lindl.) Benth. ex Baill
Preferred Common Name
- pink ball
Other Scientific Names
- Assonia wallichii (Lindl.) Kuntze
- Astrapaea penduliflora DC.
- Astrapaea wallichii Lindl.
- Dombeya penduliflora (DC.) M.Gómez
International Common Names
- English: Christmas rose; dombeya; pink snowball; pink tassel dombeya; pinkball; pink-ball-tree; tassel-tree; tropical hydrangea
- Spanish: arbol de las hortensias
- German: Hortensienbaum
Local Common Names
- Brazil: astrapeia-rosa
- Cuba: astrapea; dombeya
- Dominican Republic: bejuco de barraco; bejuco de berraco; maravilla
- India: domrupan; pink ball dombeya
- Madagascar: ma(n)kilody; tsingafiaf
- Mexico: bella aurora
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageD. wallichii is a shrub to small tree that has been in cultivation since the 1800’s (Skema, 2010). It is only reported as an invasive species in Cuba, without further details (Oviedo-Prieto et al., 2012). Most of the information available regards D. wallichii as being cultivated, and not as a naturalised species (Skema, 2010). Although it is being listed as an invasive species in Cuba, Alvarez de Zayas (2008), reports the species as an ornamental that is rarely used in gardens in Cuba. Gilman and Watson (2014) classify the species as having little invasive potential for the USA.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Malvales
- Family: Sterculiaceae
- Genus: Dombeya
- Species: Dombeya wallichii
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageDombeya is a genus with about 210 species from Africa, the Mascarenes, and Madagascar (Skema, 2012). Dombeya is one of the largest genera of Madagascar, representing about 2% of its flora. The genus was placed in the family Sterculiaceae, but due to phylogenetic studies most of the species were moved into the Malvaceae (Judd and Manchester, 1997).
The genus Dombeya is named after Joseph Dombey. The species epithet wallichii is after Nathaniel Wallich (National Parks Board, 2016). D. wallichii is in Dombeya section Hilsenbergia, which includes five species endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros (Skema, 2014).
Description
Top of pageThe following description is from Flora of Pakistan (2017):
A shrub or small tree with cordate, serrate leaves. Inflorescence an axillary, drooping, 12-15 cm across, many-flowered umbellate cyme; peduncle more than 20 cm long, hairy. Flowers pink, c. 3 cm across; pedicel c. 4 cm long, hairy. Sepals linear-oblong, c. 1.5 cm long, c. 3-4 mm broad, densely patent hairy outside. Petals obovate, oblique, 2-2.5 cm long, 1-1.5 cm broad. Fertile stamens c. 1 cm long; staminodes c. 1.5 cm long. Carpels 5; ovary ovate-oblong, densely villous; stigma exserted. Capsule pentagonal, ovate-oblong, densely beset with rusty hairs, tipped by c. 2 cm long, persistent style.
Distribution
Top of pageD. wallichii is a shrub to a small tree in the Malvaceae family that is native to Madagascar. Skema (2014) reports that it is currently only found in a small area of eastern Madagascar with a severely fragmented distribution, and assigns it a preliminary conservation status here as Critically Endangered.
It has been reported as present, mostly as being cultivated, in Europe, North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Oceania (See Distribution Table for details, Randall, 2007; Acevedo-Rodríguez and Strong, 2012; National Parks Board, 2016; Dave’s Garden, 2017; E-flora of India, 2017; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2017; USDA-ARS, 2017).
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.
Last updated: 10 Jan 2020Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Africa |
|||||||
Madagascar | Present | Native | |||||
Asia |
|||||||
India | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Delhi | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | |||||
-Maharashtra | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Tamil Nadu | Present | Introduced | |||||
Pakistan | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | |||||
Philippines | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | |||||
Singapore | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | Original citation: National Parks Board (2017) | ||||
Thailand | Present | Introduced | |||||
Europe |
|||||||
Belgium | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | In botanical garden | ||||
Italy | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | 1912 | Gardens at Isola Bella | |||
Switzerland | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | 1878 | Zurich | |||
United Kingdom | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | 1820 | Brought from Madagascar | |||
North America |
|||||||
Costa Rica | Present | Introduced | |||||
Cuba | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Dominican Republic | Present | Introduced | |||||
El Salvador | Present | Introduced | |||||
Guatemala | Present | Introduced | Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango. | ||||
Haiti | Present | Introduced | |||||
Honduras | Present | Introduced | Francisco Morazán | ||||
Martinique | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | Cultivated in Botanical Garden; Original citation: New York Botanical Garden (2017) | ||||
Mexico | Present | Introduced | Chiapas, Oaxaca | ||||
United States | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Arizona | Present | Introduced | Original citation: Dave’s Garden (2017) | ||||
-California | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | Original citation: New York Botanical Garden (2017) | ||||
-Florida | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Hawaii | Present | Introduced | 1963 | ||||
Oceania |
|||||||
Australia | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | |||||
South America |
|||||||
Brazil | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | Original citation: New York Botanical Garden (2017) | ||||
-Minas Gerais | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | |||||
-Rio de Janeiro | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | Original citation: New York Botanical Garden (2017) | ||||
-Sao Paulo | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | Original citation: New York Botanical Garden (2017) | ||||
Colombia | Present | Introduced | Antioquia | ||||
Venezuela | Present, Only in captivity/cultivation | Introduced | Botanic Garden, Caracas |
History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageD. wallichii has been in cultivation since the 1800’s, with historical data suggesting it came to Europe via Mauritius and India (Skema, 2010). The species is recorded as being available in USA by 1919 as an ornamental (Anonymous, 1919). It is reported as cultivated in the Caribbean in 1885 (New York Botanical Garden, 2017). Molecular data suggest that at least one of the origins of the cultivated D. wallichii is central Madagascar (Skema, 2010), but the native distribution is poorly understood, and most collected specimens have little or no location data associated with them (Skema, 2014). There is no information about the spread of the species where it is reported as introduced.
Introductions
Top of pageIntroduced to | Introduced from | Year | Reason | Introduced by | Established in wild through | References | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural reproduction | Continuous restocking | |||||||
USA | 1919 | Horticulture (pathway cause) | Yes | No | Anonymous (1919) | Florida | ||
Cuba | 1933 | Horticulture (pathway cause) | Yes | No | Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (2017) | |||
Montserrat | 1885 | Horticulture (pathway cause) | No | No | New York Botanical Garden (2017) | In Botanical Garden | ||
Italy | 1912 | Horticulture (pathway cause) | No | No | Bean (1912) | |||
Switzerland | 1876-1878 | Horticulture (pathway cause) | No | No | Anonymous (1896) | Reported as being a tree 18-20 year old, flowering for the first time at the Botanical Garden in Zurich | ||
UK | Madagascar | 1820 | Horticulture (pathway cause) | No | No | Anonymous (1896) |
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageD. wallichii is an ornamental species being in cultivation since the 1800’s (Skema, 2010). Although it is available over the internet at some websites and nurseries, Gilman and Watson (2014) report it as not commonly available. At some of the internet sites where the species is available, it is either an expensive plant, not easy to transport, or with only few individuals in stock. Although it is an attractive cultivated species, with the little information available at present, it has a low to medium risk of introduction.
Habitat
Top of pageAccording to Skema (2010), the native distribution of D. wallichii is poorly known, as few collections had been made from wild specimens in Madagascar, mostly from the 1800’s. The habitat information from these specimens reported is: “rainforest (?)”, “sublittoral forest” and “often streamside; to 28 m”. A few recent collections are from the east coast of Madagascar. Currently the species is considered as rare in its native range: using recent, wild collections, it has an area of occurrence of just 8 km2 and a severely fragmented distribution (Skema, 2014). Known wild-collected specimens come from sublittoral forest: one specimen from rainforest may not have been wild-collected (Skema, 2014).
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
Chromosome numbers for Dombeya include 2n = 46, 54 and 56 (Skema, 2010).
Reproductive Biology
D. wallichii is only reported as being reproduced from stem cuttings, mainly from softwood (National Parks Board, 2016; Dave’s Garden, 2017). Bees have been observed visiting the flowers in Madagascar (Skema, 2014).
Physiology and Phenology
There is little information about the species physiology and phenology, although Skema (2014) reports from Madagascar that it flowers in July. It is reported as flowering from mid autumn into the early spring when grown as an ornamental. Its growth rate is fast (Dave’s Garden, 2017).
Environmental Requirements
D. wallichii is reported as growing in clay, sand, loam, occasionally wet; well-drained soils with an optimal pH of 6.1 to 7.8 (Gilman and Watson, 2014; Dave’s Garden, 2017). Although it has been reported as cultivated in temperate areas, it is mostly being grown in botanical gardens, as a container plant or in sheltered areas as it needs protection from frost (Billiet, 1999; Dave’s Garden, 2017; New York Botanical Garden, 2017). From the information available about its native distribution, the preferred climate zone is tropical and subtropical areas (Skema, 2010; National Parks Board, 2016). The lowest temperature zone recorded is -3.8 °C, although it is not commonly grown in temperatures that fall below 1.7 °C to 4.5 °C (Dave’s Garden, 2017). The species is drought tolerant, grows in full sun to partial shade, and will not tolerate salinity (Gilman and Watson, 2014).
Climate
Top of pageClimate | 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])) | |
Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
Cs - Warm temperate climate with dry summer | Tolerated | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry summers | |
Cw - Warm temperate climate with dry winter | Preferred | Warm temperate climate with dry winter (Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry winters) | |
Cf - Warm temperate climate, wet all year | Tolerated | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, wet all year |
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of pageLatitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
---|---|---|---|
50 | -37 |
Rainfall
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Mean annual rainfall | 725 | 2400 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Soil Tolerances
Top of pageSoil drainage
- free
Soil reaction
- alkaline
- neutral
Soil texture
- heavy
- light
- medium
Natural enemies
Top of pageNatural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brevipalpus phoenicis | Herbivore | not specific |
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageD. wallichii is a species that is not commonly affected by pests and diseases (Gilman and Watson, 2014). Brevipalpus phoenicis is reported as affecting the species (Evans et al., 1993).
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageD. wallichii has been cultivated since the 1800’s (Skema, 2010). Fruit dispersal of species in Dombeya section Hilsenbergia in the wild is little understood, with no visible reward associated with the fruit or seed, and no classic morphological signs of adaptation for water dispersal (Skema, 2014).
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Botanical gardens and zoos | In various botanical gardens | Yes | Yes | Billiet (1999); Skema (2010); New York Botanical Garden (2017) |
Horticulture | As an ornamental in gardens and urban areas | Yes | Yes | Dave's Garden (2017) |
Internet sales | Yes | Yes | ||
Medicinal use | A stomach medicine in Thailand | Yes | Anderson (1986) | |
Nursery trade | Available at nurseries and for trade by gardeners | Yes | Yes | Dave's Garden (2017) |
Ornamental purposes | Recommended for gardens and urban areas for the showy, fragrant flowers | Yes | Yes | Dave's Garden (2017) |
Pathway Vectors
Top of pageVector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sold over the internet | Yes | Yes |
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Tolerant of shade
- Fast growing
- Reproduces asexually
- Rapid growth
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
Top of pageEconomic Value
D. wallicchii is available as an ornamental species, although not commonly marketed (Gilman and Watson, 2014). The high visitation of Apis mellifera in Brazil makes D. wallichii a species with potential for honey production (Corrêa Barbosa et al., 2016).
Social Benefit
The flowers are dried and used in arrangements (Dave’s Garden, 2017). Extracts are used as a stomach medicine in Thailand (Anderson, 1986).
Environmental Services
D. wallichii attracts bees, butterflies and birds (González and Ornelas, 2006; Dave’s Garden, 2017). Corrêa Barbosa et al. (2016) report that cultivated plants in Brazil attract many species of insects, especially Hymenoptera, mostly Apis mellifera, Trigona spinipes and Agelaia vicina.
Uses List
Top of pageEnvironmental
- Amenity
- Wildlife habitat
General
- Botanical garden/zoo
Ornamental
- Cut flower
- Potted plant
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of pageD. wallichii can be confused with D. × cayeuxii. This species is a cross between D. wallichii and D. burgessiae, done by Cayeux in 1895 in Lisbon. D. × cayeuxii can be distinguished from D. wallichii by having narrower stipules and bracts, and the flowers being more open and lighter pink instead of darker pink Also, the staminal tube of D. wallichii is almost equal to or just surpassing the corolla in length, whereas that of D. × cayeuxii is roughly half the length of the corolla (Skema, 2010).
D. wallichii can be easily distinguished from other species in sect. Hilsenbergia by its umbellate inflorescence subtended by a conspicuous involucre of large bracts (Skema, 2014).
Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
Top of pageAlthough there are various sites with information about the cultivation of D. wallichii, data on its distribution, environmental requirements, biology and ecology, naturalization and invasiveness are scarce.
References
Top of pageAcevedo-Rodríguez P, Strong MT, 2012. Catalogue of the Seed Plants of the West Indies. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany, 98:1192 pp. Washington DC, USA: Smithsonian Institution. http://botany.si.edu/Antilles/WestIndies/catalog.htm
Alvarez de Zayas A, 2008. Ornamental plants in Cuba: uses, diversity and threats. (Plantas ornamentals en Cuba: usos, diversidad y amenazas). Revista del Jardín Botánico Nacional, 29, 83-100.
Anonymous, 1896. Dombeya wallichii (Lindl) Benth and Hooker. The Gardeners' chronicle: a weekly illustrated journal of horticulture and allied subjects, 3(19):169. https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25900527
Anonymous, 1919. The Everglades Nursery Company [catalog]: growers of palms, crotons, hibiscus, vines, budded avocado pears: inarched Indian mangoes, etc. https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/50541785
Bean WJ, 1912. Some gardens and parks in S. Europe. Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), 1912(6), 284-297.
Co's Digital Flora of the Philippines, 2017. Dombeyaceae. http://www.philippineplants.org/Families/Dombeyaceae.html
Dave’s Garden, 2016. Dave’s Garden. http://davesgarden.com/
E-Flora of India, 2017. Eflora of India. A---L (families & genera). https://sites.google.com/site/efloraofindia/species/a---l
Flora of Pakistan, 2017. Flora of Pakistan/Pakistan Plant Database (PPD). St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Tropicos website. http://www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan
Gilman EF, Watson DG, 2014. Dombeya wallichii: Pinkball. University of Florida IFAS Extension. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st232
González C, Ornelas JF, 2005. Song structure and microgeographic song variation in Wedge-tailed sabrewings (Campylopterus curvipennis) in Veracruz, Mexico. The Auk, 122(2), 593-607.
India Biodiversity Portal, 2017. Online Portal of India Biodiversity. http://indiabiodiversity.org/species/list
Judd WS, Manchester SR, 1998. Circumscription of Malvaceae (Malvales) as determined by a preliminary cladistic analysis of morphological, anatomical, palynological, and chemical characters. Brittonia, 49(3), 384-405.
Lasser T, Braun A, Steyermark J, 1974. Catalogue of plants growing in the Botanical Garden of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Caracas. (Catálogo de las plantas que crecen en el Jardín Botánico del Ministerio de Agricultura y Cría, Caracas). Acta Botánica Venezuélica, 9(1/4), 9-61.
Mill SW, Wagner WL, Herbst DR, 1985. Bibliography of Otto and Isa Degeners’ Hawaiian Floras. Taxon, 34(2), 229-259.
Missouri Botanical Garden, 2017. Tropicos database. St. Louis, Missouri, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/
National Parks Board, 2016. Flora and fauna web. Singapore: National Parks Board (online). http://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/Home.aspx
New York Botanical Garden, 2017. The C.V. Starr Virtual Herbarium. New York, USA: The New York Botanical Garden. http://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/vh/
Oviedo Prieto R, Herrera Oliver P, Caluff MG, et al., et al. National list of invasive and potentially invasive plants in the Republic of Cuba - 2011. (Lista nacional de especies de plantas invasoras y potencialmente invasoras en la República de Cuba - 2011). Bissea: Boletín sobre Conservación de Plantas del Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba, 6(Special Issue 1):22-96
Randall RP, 2007. Australia: CRC for Australian Weed Management. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.528 pp.
Skema C, 2010. The Systematics of Dombeya Cav. and its near relatives (Dombeyaceae). Thesis. New York, USA. Cornell University
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, 2017. Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Botany Collections. Washington, DC, USA: Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. http://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/botany/
The Plant List, 2017. The Plant List: a working list of all plant species. Version 1.1. London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.theplantlist.org
USDA-ARS, 2017. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, USA. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl
Distribution References
Anonymous, 1896. Dombeya wallichii (Lindl) Benth and Hooker. In: The Gardeners' chronicle: a weekly illustrated journal of horticulture and allied subjects, 3 (1) 169. https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25900527
Anonymous, 1919. The Everglades Nursery Company [catalog]: growers of palms, crotons, hibiscus, vines, budded avocado pears: inarched Indian mangoes, etc., https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/50541785
Bean WJ, 1912. Some gardens and parks in S. Europe. In: Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), 1912 (6) 284-297.
CABI, Undated. Compendium record. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Co's Digital Flora of the Philippines, 2017. Dombeyaceae., http://www.philippineplants.org/Families/Dombeyaceae.html
E-Flora of India, 2017. Eflora of India. A---L (families & genera)., https://sites.google.com/site/efloraofindia/species/a---l
González C, Ornelas JF, 2005. Song structure and microgeographic song variation in Wedge-tailed sabrewings (Campylopterus curvipennis) in Veracruz, Mexico. In: The Auk, 122 (2) 593-607.
Lasser T, Braun A, Steyermark J, 1974. Catalogue of plants growing in the Botanical Garden of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Caracas. (Catálogo de las plantas que crecen en el Jardín Botánico del Ministerio de Agricultura y Cría, Caracas). In: Acta Botánica Venezuélica, 9 (1/4) 9-61. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41740621
Mill SW, Wagner WL, Herbst DR, 1985. Bibliography of Otto and Isa Degeners’ Hawaiian Floras. In: Taxon, 34 (2) 229-259.
Missouri Botanical Garden, 2017. Tropicos database., St. Louis, Missouri, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/
Randall RP, 2007. The introduced flora of Australia and its weed status., Australia: CRC for Australian Weed Management. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia. 528 pp.
Skema C, 2010. The Systematics of Dombeya Cav. and its near relatives (Dombeyaceae)., New York, USA: Cornell University.
Links to Websites
Top of pageWebsite | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
Co's Digital Flora of the Philippines | http://www.philippineplants.org | |
Dave’s Garden | https://davesgarden.com | |
E-flora of India | https://sites.google.com/site/efloraofindia/species/a---l | |
Flora & Fauna Web | https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/Special-Pages/plant-detail.aspx?id=5082 | |
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
Contributors
Top of page29/12/2017 Original text by:
Jeanine Vélez-Gavilán, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
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