Galapagos Species Database

Taxon category: Accepted

Origin: Introduced - established

Year of first record: 1989

Mode of introduction: Intentional

Introduction Pathway: Intentional

Subpathway: Agriculture/Horticulture

Introduced status: Naturalized

Invasive status: No data

Impact in Galapagos: C. gentryi has not yet caused problems in Galapagos.

Impact elsewhere: It has not been introduced to other islands in the world, however, two closely related species C. spinosum and C. caudatum are invasive in Hawaii, Fiji, and Polynesia. C. spinosum is an invasive species in Australia. Both form dense mats that prohibit the growth of other plants.

Control methods elsewhere: Seedlings should be pulled manually. Juveniles and adults should be treated with herbicide.

Preference for an altitude zone in Galapagos: Humid zone

Trophic role: Primary producer

Persistence mechanisms: Seeds

Reproductive biology: The fruits are small and are dispersed by animals. Seeds germinate quickly and individuals can bear fruit after 2 years of age. Seeds can survive for at least 5 years before germinating.

Growth form: Trees

Distribution origin: Ecuador

Map of specimen collection localities or observation records for this species in our collections database.

Distribution: More than 50 hectares in total infested near Bellavista, on farms in El Camote, and in areas surrounding the National Park on Santa Cruz, originally from Southeast Asia.

• Tropicos.org. (2017) Database of Missouri Botanical Garden. Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 06 Oct 2017 <http://www.tropicos.org
• Guézou, A. Trueman, M., Buddenhagen, E., Chamorro, S., Guerrero, A.M., Pozo, P., Atkinson, R. (2010) An extensive Alien Plan Inventory from the Inhabited Areas of Galapagos Plos One/ www.plosone.org. Volume 5/ Issue 4/e10276