Acacia glauca (wild dividivi)
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
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Plant Trade
- Impact Summary
- Environmental Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Wood Products
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
- References
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pageIdentity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Acacia glauca (L.) Moench
Preferred Common Name
- wild dividivi
Other Scientific Names
- Acacia curassavica (Killip) Stehle
- Acacia villosa (Swartz) Willd.
- Acaciella curassavica Killip
- Acaciella glauca (L.) L. Rico
- Acaciella villosa (Swartz) Britton & Rose
- Leucaena glauca (L.) Benth.
- Mimosa glauca L.
International Common Names
- English: redwood
- French: amourette
- Chinese: hui he huan
Local Common Names
- Caribbean: watapana
- Indonesia/Java: mlanding merah; mlanding sabrang
- Indonesia/Nusa Tenggara: petes merah
- Malaysia: mata galinja
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageAcacia glauca (referred to as Acaciella glauca in Australia and elsewhere) is a shrub or small tree from the Caribbean that has naturalized outside its native range. It is a prolific producer of long-lived seeds and has relatively unpalatable foliage. It is rather similar in appearance and uses to the highly valued but also occasionally invasive Leucaena leucocephala, both of which have been introduced as potential fodder trees and also for fuel, erosion control and other environmental services. However, there have been fewer introductions of A. glauca than L. leucocephala but it has become naturalized and is reported as invasive in many parts of East and South-East Asia, Australia and some Pacific and Indian Ocean islands. Also, considering the similarities to L. leucocephala, it is possible that it could become more invasive in the future where already present, and further introductions are not recommended, especially to continental Africa where it is not yet reported.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Subfamily: Mimosoideae
- Genus: Acacia
- Species: Acacia glauca
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageAcacia glauca is a species in the legume family Fabaceae, in the subfamily Mimosoideae and the tribe Acacieae. However, notwithstanding the clear confusion introduced below regarding synonymy, it appears that A. glauca is a ‘good’ species with agreed limits, although it is possible that in which genus it is placed may yet change again with new insights revealed by molecular taxonomy and the continuing debate on the relative ranks and naming of Acacia subgenera.
A. glauca (L.) Moench is the accepted name in the Plant List (2013) and is accepted here. However, USDA-ARS (2015) and Csurhes and Navie (2010) in Australia use Acaciella glauca (L.) Rico as the given name, with Acacia glauca (L.) Moench as one of its synonyms, and as such, in Australia and the USA, Acaciella glauca is the name usually used. Acacia curassavica (and Acaciella curassavica) are accepted synonyms (e.g. Rico Arce and Bachman, 2006).
A. glauca is often confused with other closely related species such as A. villosa and A. angustissima which are similar in habit, environmental adaptation and productivity (Csurhes and Navie, 2010). A. villosa (Sw.) Willd. is also mentioned as a synonym by some sources, though the Plant List (2013) and Rico Arce and Bachman (2006) treat them as distinct species, which is accepted here. A. villosa has synonyms that include Acaciella villosa (Sw.) Britton & Rose and Mimosa villosa Sw. However, there are a number of references in the literature that treat A. villosa and A. glauca as the same species (e.g. Bässler, 1998).
However, extreme caution should be taken when looking at the literature associated with this binomial, especially regarding synonyms reported in various other databases. Care should also be taken with the naming authority, as A. glauca (L.) Willd. is also taken as a synonym of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (ILDIS, 2014; The Plant List, 2013), although it could also be confused as a synonym of A. glauca (L.) Moench. Thus, the use of A. glauca with no indication of naming authority as a synonym for L. leucocephala is a cause of great taxonomic confusion.
Leucaena glauca (L.) Benth is also taken as a synonym of A. glauca (L.) Moench by PIER (2015), and as a synonym of Acaciella glauca (L.) L. Rico by USDA-ARS (2015). However, Leucaena glauca with three other authorities (Benth; (Willd.) Benth; and (sensu L. 1763) Benth) are cited by ILDIS (2014) as synonyms of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit.
The Plant List (2013) also states that Acaciella glauca (L.) L. Rico is “the accepted name of a species in the genus Acaciella (family Leguminosae). The record derives from Tropicos (data supplied on 2012-04-18) which reports it as an accepted name (record 50319064) with original publication details: Anales Jard. Bot. Madrid 63(2): 210 2006”…, but also adds that “A cross-taxon basionym link was ignored while processing this record, see Mimosa glauca L.”.
Mimosa glaucaL. (1753) is taken as a synonym of A. glauca (L.) Moench by ILDIS (2014), but the same database differentiates Mimosa glauca sensu L. (1963), including it as a synonym of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. During work on the revision of the taxonomical limits of Leucaena by the global authority on the genus, Hughes (1997) stated that “The adoption of both L. glauca and Mimosa glauca as type species is rejected in order to prevent synonymy with the genus Acacia.”
Description
Top of pageA. glauca is an erect shrub or small tree, often only 1.5-2.5 m tall but growing to 5-6 m and even up to 8 m where conditions permit, often with an open crown and dark red bark. Trees are unarmed, branches terete, pubescent, sparsely pubescent to glabrous, stipules linear-lanceolate and 2-3 mm long, younger twigs more strigose. Leaves are bipinnately or sometimes tripinnately compound, 4.5–15 cm long, borne on glabrous or sparingly strigose petioles 2–5.5 cm long. They are composed of (2-)5-6(-10) pairs of pinnae 3-6(-9) cm long, rachis 8-12 cm long, glandless, each with 10-30 pairs leaflets that are each 4-8(-10) mm long and 1-3 mm wide, opposite, broadly oblong, oblong-lanceolate or oblong-ovate, obtuse at their apex and obtusely asymmetrical at the base, subglabrous or lightly pubescent. Leaflets are glabrous on both surfaces or occasionally shortly strigose below. Leaflet venation is reticulate, visible only on the paler undersides, the midvein is near the middle, bilaterally slightly asymmetric. The stipules are linear, 2–5 mm long and caduceus, margin ciliate, on petioles 2 cm long, normally eglandular. Inflorescence a short, sometimes subcapitate, 20-40-flowered white and slightly fragrant raceme of oblong to subglobose heads, 2-6 together in upper axils, on peduncles 1-2 cm long, pedicels to 1 mm long. Flowers are 5-merous, bisexual, white turning yellowish, calyx campanulate, 0.5-1 mm long, 5-lobed; corolla is white, tubular, 5-lobed, 2-4 mm long; stamens prominent and numerous (100 or more), initially white turning yellow, 6-7 mm long; ovary stipitate with 5 mm long style. The flat, thin fruit is an oblong pod (1.5-)5-7(-10) cm long and 1-2 cm wide, glossy brown, (1-)3-6(-8) seeded, often irregularly constricted, villous, tapered to a stipitate base, obtuse and apiculate at apex. Seeds are brown, oval, about 3-5 mm long and 3 mm wide (based on World Agroforestry Centre (2009) and other descriptions).
Distribution
Top of pageThe native range of A. glauca includes the southern Caribbean islands and northern South America, though the exact limits are debated and likely further confused by disagreements regarding taxonomy and nomenclature.
USDA-ARS (2015) gives the following as native range countries (from south to north): Venezuela, Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles), St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, and Barbados to the east. USDA-NRCS (2015) does not record it in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands nor the USA (including Hawaii). According to Jukema and Danimihardja (1997), the native range includes southern Central America and many West Indian islands, noting it to be especially frequent on Curaçao and Barbados. GBIF (2015) includes records in this region from the Netherlands Antilles, Montserrat and Anguilla. ILDIS (2014) states it is native to only Jamaica and some unspecified Caribbean islands. Smith (1985), cited in PIER (2015), gave the native range as Curaçao, Bonaire and some of the Lesser Antilles as far north as Guadeloupe. Howard (1988), cited by the Missouri Botanical Garden (2015), reports records from the Leeward and Windward Islands and the Netherlands Antilles. The Missouri Botanical Garden (2015) also includes a record for Panama.
In view of the available data and issues regarding the taxonomy, a broad native range is assumed for the purposes of this datasheet, including all Caribbean islands and countries in the region where it has been reported by at least one source. It is also likely to be present in other mainland Central American countries, and may even be native there.
The species has been quite widely introduced, and is now present in many countries in South, East and South-East Asia, notably India, China (Fujian and Guangdong), Thailand, Indonesia (Java and West Timor) and the Philippines, as well as Australia (coastal Queensland from the tip of the Cape York Peninsula to north of Rockhampton) (AVH, 2015). It has also been introduced to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and some Pacific islands, including the Cook Islands and Fiji. In the Cook Islands, A. glauca is reported as spreading and forming dense thickets (Space and Flynn, 2002; Haysom and Murphy, 2003); it is well established on the island of Mauke, and possibly also present on Mitiaro, in the southern island group (McCormack, 2007).
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 Feb 2022Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Planted | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Africa |
||||||||
Mauritius | Present | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
Asia |
||||||||
China | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Fujian | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Guangdong | Present | Introduced | ||||||
India | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Indonesia | Present | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
-Java | Present | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
-Lesser Sunda Islands | Present | Introduced | West Timor | |||||
Philippines | Present | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
Thailand | Present | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
North America |
||||||||
Anguilla | Present | Native | ||||||
Barbados | Present | Native | ||||||
Curaçao | Present | Native | ||||||
Guadeloupe | Present | Native | ||||||
Jamaica | Present | Native | ||||||
Martinique | Present | Native | ||||||
Mexico | Present | Native | ||||||
Montserrat | Present | Native | ||||||
Netherlands Antilles | Present | Native | Curacao, Bonaire | |||||
Panama | Present | Native | ||||||
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Present | Native | ||||||
Oceania |
||||||||
Australia | Present | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
-Queensland | Present | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
Cook Islands | Present | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
Fiji | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Solomon Islands | Present | Introduced | ||||||
South America |
||||||||
Colombia | Present | Native | ||||||
Venezuela | Present | Native |
History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageA. glauca was introduced to Indonesia in 1920, initially planted in Java as an alternative nurse species to L. leucocephala in teak (Tectona grandis) plantations, to rehabilitate degraded land and to stabilize terrace ridges. It was also introduced to the Philippines around the same time (Jukema and Danimihardja, 1997).
The earliest herbarium record from Fiji is dated 1954 (GBIF, 2015), and 1957 for Queensland, Australia (Csurhes and Navie, 2010), though it may have been introduced there well before that date. Information is not forthcoming regarding dates of other introductions, though it is known to have formed part of introduction trials of potentially valuable agroforestry species that were widely established, especially in the 1980s, and it thus may have been introduced to other countries around this time. For example, Csurhes and Navie (2010) report that it was widely planted in Queensland in the 1970s and 1980s, encompassing 27 sites between 1975 and 1991 (where it was planted under the name Acacia angustissima) to investigate its potential as cattle forage, though trials concluded that it had limited fodder value and that its weed potential probably outweighed any benefits likely to be gained. However, notwithstanding this conclusion, these experimental plots appear to be the origin of current invasions in the area where the species has escaped from cultivation.
Introductions
Top of pageIntroduced to | Introduced from | Year | Reason | Introduced by | Established in wild through | References | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural reproduction | Continuous restocking | |||||||
Indonesia | 1920 | Forestry (pathway cause) | Yes | Jukema et al. (1997) |
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageIt is likely, noting the potential value of this species and its similarities to the now pantropical L. leucocephala, that it could well be intentionally introduced as an agroforestry species to other countries where it is not yet recorded, especially in Africa. It could pose a significant threat to rangeland ecosystems in northern Australia (Csurhes and Navie, 2010) if intentionally introduced or spread there by accident.
Habitat
Top of pageA. glauca grows in a variety of habitats in it native range, but is more common in degraded forests and forest edges, wastelands and other disturbed areas. Where introduced, it is grown as an agroforestry and nurse species and is therefore commonly found in agricultural and managed forest areas. In Queensland, Australia, A. glauca is reported from a variety of soil types and habitats, from the coastal wet tropics to semi-arid inland environments, often in disturbed vegetation along roadsides; naturalized populations have also been reported from open woodlands, grasslands and riversides (Csurhes and Navie, 2010).
Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | ||||
Terrestrial | Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Principal habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Managed forests, plantations and orchards | Principal habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Principal habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Principal habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Rail / roadsides | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Rail / roadsides | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Urban / peri-urban areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Principal habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural grasslands | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Littoral | Coastal areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | |
Littoral | Coastal areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural | |
Littoral | Coastal areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
The chromosome number of A. glauca is 2n = 26 (Jukema and Danimihardja, 1997).
Reproductive Biology
A. glauca reproduces by seed and can also regenerate via root suckers.
Physiology and Phenology
A. glauca is a fast growing, nitrogen-fixing leguminous tree that coppices profusely when cut. It has a superficial, spreading root system and regularly produces root suckers. It is reported to be one of the fastest growing legumes on very poor soils in the tropics, and can grow to 3 m tall and 3 cm in diameter in the first year. A. glauca is known to be a prolific seed producer, although recruitment tends to occur most readily when competition from other plants is low (Cook et al., 2005; Csurhes and Navie, 2010).
Under ideal conditions in its native range, individual plants may start flowering within the first year following germination, and flowering can occur continuously throughout the year. Normally, flowering and fruiting occur from January and February in its native range (Rico Arce and Bachman, 2006). In Queensland, Australia, flowering is reported from April to December, with fruiting from May to November (Csurhes and Navie, 2010). Where introduced in China, it is reported to flower and fruit from July to November (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2015).
The ability of A. glauca to tolerate repeated coppicing, in combination with prolific seed production, rapid growth and low palatability to ruminant livestock, has allowed the species to become weedy both in its native and introduced ranges, commonly forming thickets along roadsides and on free-draining rangelands (Cook et al., 2005; Csurhes and Navie, 2010).
Environmental Requirements
A. glauca is a truly tropical species, and grows best with annual temperatures of 25-30ºC. It is commonly found in humid areas, and can tolerate very humid regions with annual rainfall up to 4000 mm. Although it is reported to grow well in areas in its native range where rainfall is as low as 500 mm per year and with a dry season of up to six months, it is not known to have naturalized in regions with such dry climatic conditions. In Indonesia the optimum rainfall is around 1200 mm per year.
It is commonly found growing on limestone, but also on non-calcareous and slightly acidic soils. It grows better than L. leucocephala on very poor soils and has been cultivated on a wide range of soils, including slightly alkaline vertisols (Cook et al., 2005). In Queensland, Australia, cultivated and naturalized specimens have been found growing in a variety of habitats and soil types, including sandy soils, clay loams and alluvial soils (Csurhes and Navie, 2010).
A. glauca grows from sea level to 500 m in its native range (Rico Arce and Bachman 2006), and to at least 1200 m where introduced.
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])) | |
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 | |
BW - Desert climate | Tolerated | < 430mm annual precipitation | |
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 | Tolerated | Warm temperate climate with dry winter (Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry winters) |
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of pageLatitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
---|---|---|---|
20 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
Air Temperature
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit |
---|---|---|
Absolute minimum temperature (ºC) | 5 | |
Mean annual temperature (ºC) | 26 | 31 |
Mean maximum temperature of hottest month (ºC) | 24 | 36 |
Mean minimum temperature of coldest month (ºC) | 12 | 30 |
Rainfall
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Dry season duration | 0 | 6 | number of consecutive months with <40 mm rainfall |
Mean annual rainfall | 500 | 4000 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Soil Tolerances
Top of pageSoil drainage
- free
Soil reaction
- acid
- alkaline
- neutral
Soil texture
- heavy
- light
- medium
Special soil tolerances
- infertile
- shallow
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageA. glauca appears to be relatively free of pests and diseases. No reports have been found that identify any natural enemies.
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageNatural Dispersal
Although no definitive studies appear to be available, it may be considered that seeds are dispersed by gravity, possibly aided to a small extent by insect and rodent dispersal. Water, especially floodwater following rain, is also likely to be an important means of longer range dispersal. The light mature pods may be blown short distances from the parent tree by wind,
Vector Transmission (Biotic)
Experience with species closely related to A. glauca with similar hard-coated seeds indicates that seeds may be eaten by livestock, wild mammals or birds and then germinate after passing intact through the animals’ digestive systems; such seeds can survive for many years in the soil.
Accidental Introduction
Short distance dispersal of seeds could also occur in mud packs formed on animals’ hooves or on vehicles during wet periods (Csurhes and Navie, 2010; Queensland Government, 2011). When a single A. glauca plant was found growing in a crop of centro (Centrosema sp.) at a research station in Queensland in 1964, it was considered to have been introduced into the country as a contaminant in the centro seed (Csurhes and Navie, 2010).
Intentional Introduction
A. glauca has been introduced internationally as a valuable agroforestry species, similar to L. leucocephala. It is also widely planted as an ornamental throughout the Tropics.
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Crop production | Yes | |||
Digestion and excretion | Yes | |||
Disturbance | Yes | |||
Escape from confinement or garden escape | Yes | |||
Flooding and other natural disasters | Yes | |||
Forestry | Yes | Yes | ||
Habitat restoration and improvement | Yes | Yes | ||
Hitchhiker | Mud containing seeds can attach to vehicles or animals | Yes | ||
Ornamental purposes | Yes | Yes |
Pathway Vectors
Top of pageVector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Land vehicles | Yes | |||
Livestock | Yes | |||
Plants or parts of plants | occurs as a seed contaminant | Yes | Yes | |
Water | Yes | |||
Wind | Yes |
Plant Trade
Top of pagePlant parts liable to carry the pest in trade/transport | Pest stages | Borne internally | Borne externally | Visibility of pest or symptoms |
---|---|---|---|---|
True seeds (inc. grain) | Yes |
Impact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Cultural/amenity | Positive |
Economic/livelihood | Positive |
Environment (generally) | Positive and negative |
Environmental Impact
Top of pageImpact on Biodiversity
A. glauca has been reported as an environmental weed in several countries including Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia (notably Queensland), the Cook Islands and Mauritius. It forms dense thickets in parts of Queensland and in the Cook Islands, crowding out native species. The species is listed as a weed known to have an impact on rangeland biodiversity in Queensland (Martin et al., 2006), and is a Class 1 declared plant in Queensland and a Category 1 species in the Far North Queensland list of regional priority weeds (as Acaciella glauca) (Csurhes and Navie, 2010). There are few other records regarding the exact nature of impacts specific to A. glauca, though it could be assumed that they would be similar to those for the closely related L. leucocephala.
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Is a habitat generalist
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Pioneering in disturbed areas
- Fast growing
- Has high reproductive potential
- Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
- Reproduces asexually
- Monoculture formation
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Threat to/ loss of native species
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Competition - shading
- Rapid growth
- Highly likely to be transported internationally accidentally
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
- Difficult to identify/detect as a commodity contaminant
- Difficult to identify/detect in the field
Uses
Top of pageEconomic Value
A. glauca is very useful as a nurse crop and cover crop in forest plantations, as a fallow species and in agroforestry systems. A. glauca and closely related species have been evaluated in many tropical countries as potential dry season forage species. Most were found to be highly tolerant of repeated defoliation, but palatability varied from only low to moderate, the foliage containing some toxic compounds, such as polyphenolics and non-protein amino acids, that have antinutritional effects in ruminants. Despite this, A. glauca has become an important forage or source of green manure in some locations (Cook et al., 2005). For example, A. glauca is used as a forage species in West Timor, Indonesia (Jukema and Danimihardja, 1997). It has also been proposed as a protein supplement in countries where low quality forages predominate (Bamualim et al., 1991; McSweeney et al., 2005).
The wood from A. glauca is used as a fuel, and from larger branches and stems it is also used for making household tools. In East Java, Indonesia, as well as Yunnan, South China, the species has been identified as one of the best host plants for the lac insect (Kerria lacca) for the production of lac (Jukema and Danimihardja, 1997; Hu et al., 2003).
Social Benefit
Medicinal uses of A. glauca in its native range in the Caribbean include an infusion of the roots or leaves in vinegar to relieve sore throats and coughs. It is also widely planted in the tropics as an ornamental shrub or small tree (Jukema and Danimihardja, 1997).
Environmental Services
A. glauca is largely planted to rehabilitate degraded and denuded land, and to stabilize terrace ridges (Jukema and Danimihardja, 1997).
Uses List
Top of pageAnimal feed, fodder, forage
- Fodder/animal feed
- Forage
- Invertebrate food
Environmental
- Agroforestry
- Boundary, barrier or support
- Erosion control or dune stabilization
- Revegetation
Fuels
- Fuelwood
Materials
- Green manure
- Lac
- Mulches
- Wood/timber
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
- Traditional/folklore
Ornamental
- garden plant
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of pageThe general appearance and habit of A. glauca are similar to those of shrubby forms of L. leucocephala and, as such, the two species are sometimes confused. However, they can be distinguished most easily by comparing the pods, which are generally shorter and the ends more rounded in A. glauca. Additionally, the twigs of A. glauca often have a reddish colour.
A. villosa and A. angustissima are also similar to A. glauca in habit, environmental adaptation and productivity (Csurhes and Navie, 2010). However, A. glauca has glabrous leaflets with plane or partially involute margins, whereas A. villosa has densely pubescent leaflets with completely involute margins (Rico Arce and Bachman, 2006). Young stems of A. angustissima differ from those of A. glauca in being slightly grooved, finely hairy or hairless, and greenish rather than smooth, almost hairless and reddish (Queensland Government, 2011).
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Eradication
An eradication programme for A. glauca is on-going in parts of Queensland, Australia (Csurhes and Navie, 2010), though no information is provided on the methods that have been tested or those being employed.
Physical/Mechanical Control
As with many other trees, A. glauca resprouts vigorously after cutting and therefore at least the top of the root systems must be removed to ensure tree kill. Smaller seedlings can be pulled up by hand or dug up using a hoe or mattock that cuts the root some 10-15 cm below ground level. As a palatable species, grazing could be used as a means of control, as grazing by goats was found to control L. leucocephala in Hawaii (PIER, 2015).
Chemical Control
Noting the similarity with L. leucocephala, herbicides that have proved successful on the latter may be effective on A. glauca. Triclopyr applied to foliage, tebuthiuron applied to soil, or triclopyr ester, 2,4-D in diesel or to a lesser extent diesel alone applied as basal bark treatments were reported as effective by PIER (2015), who also noted that, in combination with mechanical cutting, treatment of cut stumps was effective with picloram and triclopyr ester but not with dicamba.
Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
Top of pageFurther work on the taxonomical limits of this species and its relationships with other closely related species is required, including molecular and parallel morphological research.
References
Top of pageAVH, 2015. Australia's Virtual Herbarium. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria. http://avh.chah.org.au/
Backer CA; Brink RCB van den, 1963. Flora of Java. Vol. 1. Groningen, Netherlands: NVP Noordhoff.
Bassler M, 1998. Flora of the Republic of Cuba. Series A: Vascular plants. Part 2: Mimosaceae (Flora de la Republica de Cuba. Series A: Plantas vasculares. Fasciculo 02: Mimosaceae). Koenigstein, Germany: Koeltz Scientific Books, 202 pp.
Cook B; Pengelly B; Brown S; Donnelly J; Eagle D; Franco A; Hanson J; Mullen B; Partridge I; Peters M; Schultze-Kraft R, 2005. Tropical Forages: an interactive selection tool. Brisbane, Australia: CSIRO, DPI&F (Qld), CIAT and ILRI. http://www.tropicalforages.info/
Csurhes S; Navie S, 2010. Redwood: Acaciella glauca (syn. Acacia curassavica, Acacia glauca). Brisbane, Australia: Biosecurity Queensland, 19 pp. [Pest Plant Risk Assessment PR10-4728.] https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/52667/IPA-Redwood-Risk-Assessment.pdf
Danimihardja S; Saefudin; Syarif F; Setyowati-Indarto N, 1988. The growth of some fast growing legume species in the field after seedling inoculation with Rhizobium. [Pertumbuhan beberapa jenis Leguminosa tumbuh cepat di lapangan setelah semainya dinokulasi dengan Rhizobium] Berita Biologi, 3:377-381.
Dirdjosoemarto S, 1981. The performance of some small tree legumes on eroded land at Wanagama experimental forest. In: Observations on agroforestry on Java [ed. by Wiersum KF]. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen Agricultural University, 90-96.
Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2015. Flora of China. St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2
GBIF, 2015. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. http://www.gbif.org/species
Howard RA, 1988. Leguminosae. In: Flora of the Lesser Antilles: Leeward and Windward Islands. Volume 4, Dicotyledoneae [ed. by Howard, R. A.]. Boston, MS, USA: Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, 334-538.
Hughes CE, 1997. Proposal to conserve the name Leucaena (Leguminosae) with a conserved type. Taxon, 46(2):355-356.
ILDIS, 2014. International Legume Database and Information Service. Reading, UK: School of Plant Sciences, University of Reading. http://www.ildis.org/
Jukema; J; Danimihardja S, 1997. Acacia glauca (L.) Moench. In: Plant resources of South-East Asia 11: Auxiliary plants [ed. by Faridah Hanum, I. \Maesen, L. J. G. van der]. Bogor, Indonesia: Prosea Foundation, 58-60.
McCormack G, 2007. Acacia glauca, redwood. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2. Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust. http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=13943
Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015. Tropicos database. St. Louis, Missouri, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/
PIER, 2015. Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk. Honolulu, USA: HEAR, University of Hawaii. http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html
Queensland Government, 2011. Redwood, Acaciella glauca. Weeds of Australia, Biosecurity Queensland Edition. http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/080c0106-040c-4508-8300-0b0a06060e01/media/html/Acaciella_glauca.htm
Riyanto TW, 1979. Comparison between the growth of Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia villosa under different soil conditions. [Perbandingan pertumbuhan lamtoro dan mlanding sabrang pada beberapa kondisi tanah.]. Duta Rimba, 5(33):3-6.
Serrano RC, 1986. Alternatives to ipil-ipil for agroforestry. Philippine Council of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development Monitor, 16(3):1-10.
Shreve FF, 1942. The vegetation of Jamaica. Chronicles of Botany, 7:164-166.
Smith AC, 1985. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii, USA: National Tropical Botanic Gardens, 758 pp.
Space JC; Flynn T, 2002b. Report to the Government of the Cook Islands on invasive plant species of environmental concern. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA: USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, 148 pp. http://www.hear.org/pier/pdf/cook_islands_report.pdf
The Plant List, 2013. 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, 2015. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch.aspx
USDA-NRCS, 2015. The PLANTS Database. Baton Rouge, USA: National Plant Data Center. http://plants.usda.gov/
World Agroforestry Centre, 2009. Acacia glauca. Agroforestree database. www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb2/speciesprofile.php?Spid=18010
Distribution References
AVH, 2015. Australia's Virtual Herbarium., Canberra, ACT, Australia: Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria. http://avh.chah.org.au/
CABI, Undated. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2015. Flora of China., St. Louis, Missouri; Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2
GBIF, 2015. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. http://www.gbif.org/species
ILDIS, 2014. International Legume Database and Information Service., Reading, UK: School of Plant Sciences, University of Reading. http://www.ildis.org/
McCormack G, 2007. Acacia glauca, redwood. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2., Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust. http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=13943
Missouri Botanical Garden, 2015. Tropicos database., St. Louis, Missouri, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/
PIER, 2015. Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk., Honolulu, USA: HEAR, University of Hawaii. http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html
USDA-ARS, 2015. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx
Contributors
Top of page21/02/14 Original text for Invasive Species Compendium sections by:
Nick Pasiecznik, Consultant, France
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