Hemigraphis alternata (red ivy)
Datasheet Type: Invasive species
Abstract
This datasheet on Hemigraphis alternata covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Diagnosis, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Further Information.
Identity
- Preferred Scientific Name
- Hemigraphis alternata (Burm.f.) T. Anderson
- Preferred Common Name
- red ivy
- Other Scientific Names
- Blechum cordatum Leonard
- Goldfussia colorata (Blume) Moritzi
- Hemigraphis colorata (Blume) Hallier f.
- Ruellia alternata Burm.f.
- Ruellia colorata Blume
- International Common Names
- Englishcemetery plantmetal leafred flame ivyredivy
- Spanishcucaracha
- Local Common Names
- Australiapurple waffle plant
- Indiamurian pachamurikootti
- Puerto RicoAsia negra
- USAred-flame ivy
Summary of Invasiveness
Hemigraphis alternata is a creeping herb native to Indonesia and Malaysia that has been widely commercialized as an ornamental, mainly due to its metallic green and purple foliage. It is often planted as a carpet plant or ground cover in gardens, and is regularly dumped in garden waste, from which it spreads into wild areas. Once established, the species grows forming large dense carpets that totally cover the understorey of natural forests, displacing native vegetation. In areas outside its native range, it seems to reproduce only by vegetative means (cuttings or clump division). It is currently listed as invasive in the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Fiji, Chagos, Reunion, Cook Islands, Samoa, French Polynesia, Niue, Palau and Tonga.
Taxonomic Tree
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Acanthaceae is a family of flowering plants comprising 220 genera and at least 4000 species of herbs, shrubs and trees (rarely vines, except Thunbergia and Mendoncia, which are almost entirely climbing plants) distributed mostly across the tropics (McDade et al., 2009; Stevens, 2012). The genus Hemigraphis (20-60 species) is classified within the subfamily Acanthoideae. Species in this subfamily are usually herbs and can be recognized by their often swollen nodes, the stem immediately above them collapsing on drying, and the opposite leaves (Stevens, 2012).
Plant Type
Broadleaved
Herbaceous
Perennial
Seed propagated
Vegetatively propagated
Description
Ascending or creeping herb, the stems pilosulous, rooting at the lower nodes. Leaves on petioles 1-5 cm long, the blades mostly 3-6 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, broadly ovate to ovate-oblong, acute or obtuse, cordate at base, densely puberulent, sparingly pilosulous or glabrate, the margins crenate. Inflorescences are axillary spikes on a peduncle to 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide. Flowers generally two per bract, the calyx segments slightly unequal, linear subulate, up to 9 mm long, peeled, ciliate; corolla white, about 1.5 cm long; capsule slender; seeds 4-20 (Standley et al., 1974; Flora of Panama, 2016; PIER, 2016).
Distribution
H. alternata is native to Indonesia and Malaysia (Meyer and Lavergne, 2004; USDA-ARS, 2016). It has been widely commercialized and introduced as an ornamental plant into tropical and subtropical countries across Asia, America, the Caribbean and into many islands in the Indian and Pacific Ocean (Daniel, 2001; 2005; Meyer and Lavergne, 2004; Acevedo-Rodríguez and Strong, 2012; PIER, 2016). After escaping from cultivation, the species has become naturalized and invasive in many areas, primarily on islands in the Indian and Pacific region (PIER, 2016).
H. alternata was first introduced to Reunion in 1862 and to Fiji in 1928 (Meyer and Lavergne, 2004). The species is also spreading in Hawaii, where a herbarium collection states that it was introduced in 1927 (Wagner et al., 1999). Large dense carpets that totally cover the ground in the understorey of low- and mid-elevation secondary wet forests, have been reported on the islands of Niue, Samoa and Tahiti (Meyer and Lavergne, 2004).
In Honduras, El Salvador, Panama and Nicaragua, H. alternata is also reported as an ornamental species that has escaped from cultivation and is now becoming naturalized and spreading across natural areas, disturbed sites and along trails and roads (Daniel 2001, 2005; Correa et al., 2004).
Distribution Map
Distribution Table
Risk of Introduction
The risk of introduction of H. alternata is high, mainly because the species is widely commercialized as an ornamental plant due to its metallic green and purple foliage. Stems and plant fragments are regularly dumped in garden waste, from where it can spread into new areas (University of Queensland, 2016).
Means of Movement and Dispersal
In areas outside its native range, H. alternata rarely produces fruits, mainly spreading vegetatively by cuttings or clump division (Rauch and Hensley, 1997; Meyer and Lavergne, 2004; PIER, 2016).
Pathway Causes
| Pathway cause | Notes | Long distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disturbance (pathway cause) | Naturalized along roads and trails | Yes | Yes | |
| Escape from confinement or garden escape (pathway cause) | Garden waste dumping | Yes | Yes | |
| Horticulture (pathway cause) | Widely commercialized as ornamental | Yes | Yes | |
| Intentional release (pathway cause) | Widely commercialized as ornamental | Yes | Yes | |
| Ornamental purposes (pathway cause) | Often planted as ornamental and as ground cover in gardens | Yes | Yes |
Pathway Vectors
| Pathway vector | Notes | Long distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debris and waste associated with human activities (pathway vector) | Stem fragments dumped in garden waste | Yes | Yes |
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
H. alternata looks similar to H. reptans, but they can be distinguished by the following traits:
•
H. alternata is a creeping herb with purple, narrow, cordate leaves 3.5-15 cm long, 1.6-6 cm wide, and white flowers in terminal spikes;
•
H. reptans has green leaves with blades elliptic to narrowly ovate, 4-15 cm long, 1.6-4.3 cm wide, and yellowish or white flowers (Wagner et al., 1999).
Habitat
In Saint Lucia, the species is a naturalized herb of wet roadsides and wet open areas (Graveson, 2012). In other countries, it spreads across natural areas, disturbed sites and along trails and roads (Daniel 2001; 2005; Correa et al., 2004).
Biology and Ecology
Physiology and Phenology
H. alternata is a perennial fast-growing herb (Daniel, 2005). The species roots readily from stem cuttings in 7-10 days (Rauch and Hensley, 1997).
Environmental Requirements
H. alternata grows best in light or medium shade. It prefers slightly acid and moist soils, with pH ranging from 6.1 to 7.5. It does not tolerate drought or salty conditions (Rauch and Hensley, 1997).
Climate
| Climate type | Description | Preferred or tolerated | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Af - Tropical rainforest climate | > 60mm precipitation per month | Preferred | |
| Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | Preferred | |
| As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | Preferred | |
| Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | Preferred |
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
| Latitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude lower (m) | Altitude upper (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 15 |
Air Temperature
| Parameter | Lower limit (°C) | Upper limit (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 17 | 30 |
Rainfall
| Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry season duration | number of consecutive months with <40 mm rainfall | ||
| Mean annual rainfall | 1500 mm | 3000 mm | mm; lower/upper limits |
Soil Tolerances
Soil texture > light
Soil texture > medium
Soil reaction > neutral
Soil drainage > free
Notes on Natural Enemies
Mealybugs can attack H. alternata. The following fungi have also been found associated with this species: Alternaria spp., Colletotrichum spp., Curvularia spp., Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia solani [Thanatephorus cucumeris], Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotium rolfsii [Athelia rolfsii] (Rauch and Hensley, 1997; Cool Garden, 2016; PIER, 2016).
Natural enemies
| Natural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colletotrichum | Pathogen | Whole plant | not specific | |||
| Curvularia (black kernel) | Pathogen | Whole plant | not specific | |||
| Pythium | Pathogen | Whole plant | not specific | |||
| Thanatephorus cucumeris (many names, depending on host) | Pathogen | Whole plant | not specific | |||
| Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (cottony soft rot) | Pathogen | Whole plant | not specific | |||
| Athelia rolfsii (sclerotium rot) | Pathogen | Whole plant | not specific |
Impact Summary
| Category | Impact |
|---|---|
| Positive and negative | |
| Positive |
Impact: Environmental
H. alternata grows by forming large dense mats in the understorey of native forests, inhibiting the establishment of seedlings and young plants of native species, completely outcompeting them (Meyer and Lavergne, 2004; Mir, 2012; PIER, 2016).
In northern Queensland, Australia, H. alternata is regarded as an emerging environmental weed, capable of invading the understorey of wet forests in warm climates (University of Queensland, 2016).
On several islands in the Pacific, H. alternata has been reported forming large mats of vegetation in disturbed sites and in areas close to forests. For example, in Niue and Fiji, it spreads along trails, roads and in secondary forests. In American Samoa, it has become naturalized at several locations, including conservation areas and national parks, where it forms dense low stands that outcompete native species (Meyer and Lavergne, 2004; PIER, 2016).
Risk and Impact Factors
Invasiveness
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
Tolerant of shade
Highly mobile locally
Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
Long lived
Fast growing
Gregarious
Reproduces asexually
Impact outcomes
Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
Modification of successional patterns
Monoculture formation
Reduced native biodiversity
Threat to/ loss of native species
Impact mechanisms
Competition - monopolizing resources
Competition - smothering
Rapid growth
Rooting
Likelihood of entry/control
Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
Economic Value
H. alternata is widely commercialized as an ornamental indoor and outdoor plant. It is often planted in gardens, hanging baskets and used as ground cover in gardens (Rauch and Hensley, 1997; Priya, 2013; USDA-ARS, 2016).
Social Benefit
H. alternata is used in traditional Asian medicine to cure anaemia, treat bloody dysentery and haemorrhoids, and to mend gallstones. It is also used as a contraceptive and a means of inducing sterility (Priya, 2013).
Uses List
Environmental > Amenity
Medicinal, pharmaceutical > Traditional/folklore
Ornamental > Propagation material
Ornamental > Potted plant
Ornamental > garden plant
Prevention and Control
Due 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.
Control
Chemical control
An ornamental herbicide with the active constituents oxyfluorfen and oryzalin has been tested to control H. alternata, but the species appears to be tolerant to different concentrations of this herbicide. Only slight injury symptoms of irregular necrotic spots, not enough to cause death, were reported (PIER, 2016).
Chemical control
An ornamental herbicide with the active constituents oxyfluorfen and oryzalin has been tested to control H. alternata, but the species appears to be tolerant to different concentrations of this herbicide. Only slight injury symptoms of irregular necrotic spots, not enough to cause death, were reported (PIER, 2016).
Links to Websites
| Name | URL | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
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