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Click here to go back Details of this species in Oahu Is. Status: Alien Invasiveness: Invasive Occurrence: Established and expanding Source: Starr et al. 2003 Arrival Date: Prior to 1995 Introduction: Intentional, legally Species Notes for this Location: F. rubiginosa was one of many exotic trees introduced as part of a reforestation program in the early 20th century (Starr et al. 2003). Its pollinator was deliberately released in 1922 (Starr et al. 2003). While earlier reports (eg Gardner and Early, 1996) painted F. rubiginosa as a fairly benign introduction to Hawai'i, Starr et al. (2003) state most emphatically that it is invasive and that "Control of Ficus species seems daunting. Often, trees will germinate on and grow as epiphytes on other desirable trees, concrete structures, and fenceposts. These are sometimes out of reach or on steep dangerous terrain." “Its (Ficus rubiginosa) seedlings commonly germinate in other trees, fenceposts, rocks, bridges, buildings, and other structures, eventually engulfing their hosts. F. cf. platypoda (Ficus rubiginosa) threatens mesic to moist forests on Maui by germinating on many native host trees such as koa (Acacia koa) and ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) eventually killing them as they grow to enormous heights.” Starr et al. (2003) Management Notes for this Location: Starr et al. (2003) recommend pulling of seedlings and poisoning of mature plants. They recommend quarantine of the pollinator from areas where it does not occur and cessation of the planting of F. rubiginosa. Vigilance in detecting seedlings in or near sensitive areas is also recommended. Location Notes: Impacts: Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Ecosystem change: As a 'keystone' species for frugivores due to its asynchronous fruiting pattern, F. rubiginosa naturalization may introduce a new suite of frugivores or dramatically change the behaviour and abundance of native frugivores. Modification of successional patterns: As a lithophyte, F. rubiginosa may replace native plants such as Metrosideros spp. in early successional communities. As a long lived species it would prevent later successional phases occuring. Further, as a hemi-epiphyte, F. rubiginosa is capable of invading a forest or woodland community at any successional phase. Reduction in native biodiversity: As a strangler, F. rubiginosa is capable of replacing native trees in undisturbed forest, potentially reducing the specific diversity of the forest, and reducing the proportion of native trees in the forest. Last Modified: 6/07/2005 1:10:19 p.m.