Toona ciliata
|
Taxon |
Family |
|
Toona ciliata Roem. |
Meliaceae |
 |
 |
| The tree in its native habitat, Australia Credit: D. Greig |
Young plants invading habitat in Hawaii |
Common names: Australian red cedar, red cedar, Indian mahogany, surian, toon.
Synonyms: Cedrela toona Rottler, Cedrela australis Muell.
Life form: Tree
Biology/Ecology:
Dispersal: Winged seeds are wind dispersed. Introduced by humans as a fast growing quality timber tree.
Reproduction: White or yellowish flowers borne in hanging inflorescences. Monoecious, male and female flowers borne in the same inflorescence. Bees and moths are thought to be the main pollinators. Produces fruits which are woody capsules about 2 cm in length. Seeds are winged and germinate rapidly, with germination commencing within seven days. Plants produce seeds after 6 to 8 years.
Herbivores: The tip moth larvae Hypsipyla robusta is a major herbivore.
Resistant stages: No information available.
Habitat:
Native habitat: Riparian forest
Habitat occupied in invaded range: Forests and forest gaps, riparian zones. Mesic to wet habitats, often disturbed habitats.
Habitat requirements:
| Altitude | Below 1500 metres above sea level in its native range. |
| Light | Mature trees require full sun to light shade, young trees require shade. |
| Temperature | No information available. |
| Annual rainfall | No information available. |
| Soil | Prefers acidic or neutral moist soils, can tolerate seasonal waterlogging. |
Distribution:
Native to India, Southeast Asia, Australia
Introduced range: Invasive in southern Africa, Hawaii and Tonga. Introduced but not considered invasive in tropical Africa, tropical Central and South America, Seychelles and many Pacific Islands.
Impacts:
Ecosystem: Tree grows very fast in forest gaps and becomes persistent when established.
Health, social and economic: The tree is an important source of high value timber for many local people.
Management:
Mechanical: Seedlings and small trees can be dug out. Larger trees can be cut and treated with herbicide.
Chemical: No information available.
Biological: No information available.
References:
Weber, E., 2003. Invasive Plant Species of the World: A Reference Guide to Environmental Weeds. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK.
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER), 2005. Available from http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/toona_ciliata.htm (Accessed August 2006).
Daehler, C., 2005. Toona ciliata Risk Assessment Results. PIER. Available from http://www.hear.org/Pier/wra/pacific/toona_ciliata_htmlwra.htm (Accessed August 2006).
Last updated October 2006
